This was a book that I read really quickly, as I just needed to know what was going to happen! I loved having the perspectives of the mothers in this book, as it gave a raw insight into loving someone with a mental illness. I also thought the portrayal of mental illness to be really well done, informative and multi-layered. The writing was immersive and the characters seemed so real to me. Would recommend.

After the death of her beloved father, Julia has fallen into a depression. She checks herself into a residential treatment program. She and her mother, Laura, have grown distance since the death and Laura doesn't know how to talk or act with Julia. As Julia starts to feel better with treatment, she falls in love with an magnetic patient, Sam. He is about to leave treatment and when he does he convinces Julia to leave with him.

Both Laura and Sam's mother, Arabella, are worried about this. The two aren't making contact. Arabella knows this is a repeating pattern with Sam, a fast infatuation with a girl, spiraling out of control and disaster but she doesn't share this with Laura. Instead, the two set off on the road trying to guess where their children are headed. Julia had a bucket list that seems to give clues.

The mothers almost catch up with Sam and Julia at one location but Sam sees them and they flee. It soon becomes apparent that the two are headed to a remote, dangerous location where Sam hopes to duplicate one of Ansel Adam's most famous images. Can they find the two before Sam spins completely our of control?

This is an important book about mental illness and suicide that is relevant to many. The author has family experience with the topics and offers a ray of hope when all may seem dark and uncharted territory. It emphasizes the necessity of getting help when one's mind is cluttered and spinning and the fact that there is a better life waiting. Julia sees how Sam becomes more and more focused on his obsessions and she tries to help him but eventually realizes that she cannot do what is not wanted. This book is recommended for readers of family relationships.