This book really surprised me. This is not the type of book I usually read. I'm more of a paranormal genre type girl. I've always stuck with this because it always seemed that when I deviated from the paranormal stories, I was let down. Either the characters weren't well written, and were too superficial for me; or the story was mostly about sex, and I just did not enjoy it. However, this book just completely blew all of that out the water. I honestly loved this book! It takes a lot for me to give a book 5 stars, but I can't find much wrong with this book. Granted there were a couple things that I didn't like, for example the excessive amount of the f-word, and the drug use, but I could get over all of it because that's how great this book was. 
 One of the reasons I loved this book so much is because of how real it is. I think Ms. McGarry captured Noah and Echo extremely well; so well that one could easily believe they were actual people. Echo was such an amazing character. I felt every emotion she felt, and was itching to find out what happened to her that fateful night that she has blocked out. Be warned, when you find out what happened, it is gut-wrenching, and you connect with Echo that much more. Noah, Noah, Noah. I adored his character. Again, Ms. McGarry created this amazing character that was just so raw and real that it touches your heart. Every thing Noah did was because he had his brothers in mind. I was so touched at how much he cared for and loved his brothers, and trust me, you feel it throughout the story as well. He just wants the best for them, even though it might not actually be what's best for them. 
 Of course, I hated Echo's parents and her stepmother, Ashley, which is exactly what the author wanted. Noah's friends are basically the typical "stoner" friends, but even they seemed amazingly real. 
 Another thing I appreciated was the development of Noah and Echo's relationship. It wasn't that insta-love thing. It wasn't, "look into each other's eyes, and I know you will be my love for all eternity." Their relationship developed at a natural pace. Also, their relationship was filled with obstacles, comprimises, promises, and so much more. This is how realtionships are, and it was done beautifully. 
 Definitely don't let the alternating perspectives make you wary about reading this book. This is alternating POV's at its finest! It takes a good author to write different POV's well, so that the reader connects to the characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone because this is a novel that should not be missed!