A small-town girl and a troubled boy find an unexpected connection that transcends their differences. “Griffin gracefully answers questions and solves mysteries, leaving us with hope and a smile without making things falsely shiny and bright.” —The New York Times Book Review Céce and Mack couldn’t be more opposite. She’s a sensitive A-student and he’s a high school dropout. But one thing’s for certain: They can’t resist their love for each other and soon they’re spending every moment together, bonding over a rescued dog and telling their darkest secrets. Then Mack makes a horrible mistake and suddenly their world is torn apart. Now Céce and Mack must find meaning and hope in the memories of what they had . . . and figure out how to survive when the person they love can’t stay. “Griffin gracefully answers questions and solves mysteries, leaving us with hope and a smile without making things falsely shiny and bright.” —The New York Times “An outstanding love story. Heartbreaking . . . achingly authentic, emotionally resonant.” — Kirkus Reviews , starred review “Griffin’s great accomplishment, though, is that he subtly maintains a level of optimism in this painful story, creating in readers a mixture of emotions that won’t soon leave them.” — The Horn Book , starred review “A sweet, sensual romance that unfolds with hushed whispers and trembling hands.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books , starred review “A stellar story, with genuine dialogue and drama, this is a book that will appeal greatly to teens, especially dog lovers. . . . Haunting. Passionate. Bittersweet.” — School Library Journal , starred review “Exquisite, unforgettable, an intense portrait of first love, family ties and the bond between man and dog.” —The Sunday Herald Sun “Fast-paced, refreshingly honest, and surprisingly realistic.” —Booklist “This book will find its way to the ‘favorites’ shelf right next to books like S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders.” —VOYA “Authentic, painful, heartfelt. Griffin’s gift shines in this moving novel of loss, acceptance, and the possibility of redemption.” —Publishers Weekly Paul Griffin lives, writes, and trains dogs in New York City. His novel, The Orange Houses was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults Top Ten, an International Reading Association 2010 Notable Book for a Global Society, a Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Book of 2009, and an Amelia Bloomer Project Award Winner. Used Book in Good Condition