You want this to be a love story? 
 That was what the back of the book said, and really, while there is romance in this novel, I'd like to think that it was more of a character study. The themes of this book run strong: love, family, rape, loyalty and friends, really, I think the story shines best through its characters. 
 If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. 
 Perhaps, as a woman myself, I feel more sympathy for Mickey's sister, Karyn than anyone else. When news of her rape breaks and she presses charges against her attacker, Tom, one can see what societal pressures could do to a woman in her position. She is called a slut, a liar and even Ellie, someone who doesn't even know her, turns against her. Even in today's society, a woman who sleeps around is branded a slut and a guy who sleeps around is praised as a player. When a woman is raped, the first few questions are always, "what was she wearing?" & "was she asking for it?' 
 I cannot reveal too much of the plot because there are certain twists and turns. This is so much more than just your average boy-falls-in-love-with-girl-to-make-use-of-her story. One is fully aware of what the alleged attack and subsequent court case does to both families. It shows the flaws and cracks in both families. Mickey, the boy who has to juggle work, girls, and his family: a mother who is incompetent at best, a sister who is unwilling to leave the house since her attack and a younger sister who is too young to understand it all. Ellie's family, while appearing to be normal, sane and well-rounded, is actually cracking at the seams. Her father is domineering and seems to only want to protect Tom at everyone's expense and her mother is a timid woman, fearful of what her family has become, and doing whatever she can to prevent her family from fracturing. 
 But as I've said before, what I really like about this story is the characters and Ellie's mother is one I really admired. I think one of my favorites quotes are from her: "I am her mother, as much as I am yours," speaking to Tom about Ellie's final decision about her statement. It shows a mother's true courage and that sometimes, in cases such as these, all it takes is for someone to be brave and the ball starts rolling. 
 Jenny Downham writes brilliant drama and for this, I am very interested in reading her other novel, Before I Die. 3 and a half stars for this book from me.