This book was one of those books where everything was just trying too hard. The writing was trying too hard to be lyrical. The character was trying too hard to be angsty. The mother was trying too hard to be the worst mother in history. The author was trying too hard to surprise you with a twist that, frankly, detracts so much from the book. 
 If you can't tell, I really disliked this book. Also, I do not recommend the audiobook at all, as the narrator sounds like she is talking through a head cold the entire time.