I am not the typical YA audience (I'm 70) but just loved this book. I thought your characters, plot and circumstances were interesting, and the love affair between Cap and River just realistic enough to engage both teens and adults. The story concerns a somewhat fictionalized version of the Paradise Calif. fire of several years ago. and the timeline spans before and after the town is consumed by it and how the lives of the main characters -- including the two teens mentioned -- drastically change as they adjust to new circumstances of being homeless and rootless. There are three generations of residents that are involved in the plot, and while some of the situations border on well-worn stereotypes, they pull back just enough to make them realistic, relatable, and engaging. As the author says, "it is a story all of us need. We all face our own disasters. We all must find a way through." Highly recommended.

Caprice’s journey is so raw and intense, it pulls you in completely. The way she tries to mend her broken family while falling in love for the first time feels so real and heartbreaking. You can feel her pain, her hope, and her desperation as the wildfires threaten to take away everything she’s trying to hold onto. The emotions in this story are heavy, but there’s also a quiet strength in how Caprice fights for her family and her future, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart. It’s such a deeply moving and honest portrayal of love and survival.