I was excited to get this ARC, because it seemed like a cool premise. I left the novel feeling really underwhelmed and disliking the heroine. As someone who dreaded my high school reunions, I completely understand Ellie's hesitance to go back and put herself through the paces, and that's about where the relatability ends. I am someone who didn't thrive in high school at all and still hasn't thrived in adulthood. In fact, I feel more like Roxy (minus the addiction) than the lead. Ellie just comes across as whiny, selfish brat for most of the story.

The shining point of the novel for me is the friendship between Ellie and Roxy and that to me should've been the true "love story" of the book.

The entire Mark story made me feel icky, especially considering what he did to Liz and how cruel and selfish Ellie was. I don't even know if the authors are supposed to make us want to root Ellie during the scene where Liz catches them, but I can guarantee, that was one internal thought process that made me hate Ellie and made me root against their romance from that point forward. It's also why I couldn't give this story above a 2. Mark and Ellie are completely unrootable in this novel.

I received this novel for free from NetGalley for an honest review.