Jeremy and Marissa are friends in high school. Jeremy has a crush on Marissa. He wants to have a relationship with her. They have sex at Marissa's home after a friend's funeral. When Jeremy suggests being her boyfriend, Marissa cannot handle it and rejects him. Jeremy becomes angry and harasses her.

Marissa had her first sexual experience with her mother's boyfriend. She confesses to her mother after feeling guilty. Her mother is angry at her, She thinks Marissa is her competition. Marissa tries to have a normal mother-child relationship. But her mother sees her as a mistake.

Jeremy tries to talk to his mother about his feelings about Marissa. She is more concerned about her social life than her son. His mother also is angry when Jeremy interferes in her date. Jeremy is curious about his father but his mother says nothing.

Jeremy and Marissa's rejection from the adults in their lives leads them to have suicidal thoughts. Marissa survived her attempt at suicide. Jeremy did not. He is taken to the hospital and put on life support. Marissa is lured into a sex trafficking ring by a friend. Ironically, Marissa finds the love she had been missing from her mother from the other girls.

Jeremy goes to hell. He is told the story of rape and incest of his mother, grandmother and stepgrandfather. He vows to repent his ways if Jesus can save him. He gives his life to the Lord after he comes out of his coma. He and mother talk about the past. His mother promises to be there for him and starts to attend church services. Marissa is recused and lives in a teenage home for girls. She realizes her mother is in too much pain to love her and tries to move forward.

I gave the book 3 out of 4 stars. I think Ms. Gardison is a good writer and has an excellent future ahead of her. The story surprised me as I thought it would be about domestic violence. It was more insightful as to what teenagers and broken families go through. It also explains how the bible feels about sex without casting blame or making an individual feel ashamed for making a mistake. ( )