Didn’t get a chance to finish this as I was approved so close to the archive date and the book accidentally deleted from my device and I couldn’t re download it but what I read was cool.

Self-actualization, that's what Mr. Lotz is trying to teach Jake because he knows Jake is a good guy. Jake doesn't think he's good at anything until Maria tells him he's good at helping people. This comes in handy later in the story when Maria's parents are taken by the government and she has no place to go but to Jake for help.



This was a good story, but I gave it three stars because I felt like it didn't need to be so fast-paced. I feel like if it were stretched out more over a longer period of time it would have been better. I also feel like all the things that happened weren't really that realistic. BUT, before you say anything, I understand that girls/women get taken every day and bad things happen. I don't think how this story played out was super realistic. I did like the main character though and his loyalty to his family (even his hateful father) and his only two friends, Oscar and Maria. I would still recommend this book despite the things I didn't like about it.



Thank you NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This book was really good and interesting but it was very short and because of that you didn't get a good developed connection with the characters like you would if this was a regular length novel. Some parts of the story seemed really rushed and there were a few parts that I wanted to know more about and get a deeper understanding however because of the length I didn't get that chance. There was so much happening in this story that I just wish it was a little bit longer. I did really like the premise of the story however its not something that I read about all of the time but it was really good and a very sad premise. This showed the fear and terror that our main character went through living in the country illegally and facing the fear of deportation. What made it so interesting was just knowing that this is a real thing that lots of people go through, the author really opened my eyes up to the terror that is behind it. Nice, quick read and while there were parts I wasn't to fond of I'm glad I got to read it.

This is a super short book but it really packed a punch especially with all the immigration policies that have changed with our new president. Jake is a high school and lives with his younger brother and dad. They are poor and their life is not that great. He has a friend Maria whose parents are illegal even though she is not and was born in the US. Maria's parents get deported and Jake tries to help her as much as he can by seeking out a new teacher at school for advice and taking her into his home, until she suddenly disappears. He asks around and consults his brother in prison about where she might be and he discovers a human trafficking ring nearby. His dad and brother surprisingly step up and help Jake find and free Maria AND take her to the police station to tell them what happened to her. This book is really short and to the point--there is not much as far as character development or background, but I'll bet that this situation is very real especially now and the author is not far off in her description of how Maria's life changes when her parents are deported. Jake is an awesome friend to her and seems sweet. Thanks to NG for the ARC!!