This is a pleasant enough “getting used to living with a step-sister” sort of story. There are, of course, misunderstandings, causing both sisters to retaliate. But what is the answer, in the end, the moral, so to speak? Communication.

Which is the answer to everything, when you think about it. Good communication is important in all things in life, so good to have this show up in a middle-grade level book.

There is romance, but it is light enough not to be central to the story.

And Lily, the protagonist, is a bit on the annoying side, but sympathetic in her struggles with Hannah here eccentric, artistic, older, step-sister.

Classic odd couple sort of vibes.

Set in Tacoma, Washington, there is a lovely line that is repeated as a mantra through the whole book: “Live like the mountain is out,” meaning live as though you could see Mt. Rainer, even if it is raining or overcast, as it so often is there.

Good advice.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Thanks for the early review copy!

I recommend this novel to fans of middle grade. I mainly picked it for the cute cover! :D