Rating: 4.0/5
Summary: Morgan is a high schooler who had an embarrassing video go viral. Since then she’s been an outcast and she hides her loneliness in her growing followers on twitter. When Morgan’s mother is diagnosed with heart disease, her world flips upside down. Before a major surgery, her mother confesses to Morgan that her father lives in Canada. With two coworkers, Morgan heads to Canada to find the father who abandoned her at birth.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I just started reading Janet Gurtler, but I have enjoyed every book of hers that I’ve read. They manage to be cute, but still realistic and thought provoking. Each character has real life issues, some that aren’t always talked about in novels.
I liked the internet tie in to this book since social media has exploded with my generation. I’m not twitter so I enjoyed reading Morgan’s sassy tweets. I thought the way Gurtler crafted Morgan’s struggles and dependence on social media for acceptance would resonate with many others in the same situation. While the internet is a great way to meet people, it doesn’t replace having an “IRL” friend. I think that’s one of the lessons that Morgan really takes to heart on her journey.
Morgan’s journey in this book isn’t only her traveling to Canada, though that is an essential part of it. Her journey begins with a strained relationship with her mother who has lied to her about her father, Amy- a hyperactive chatterbox who becomes her best friend, Adam- her moody though sometimes nice supervisor at the amusement park, and the father she’s never known who has some unanswered questions to account for. Her journey ends with a several confessions and a painful reality. My favorite quote was, “Real life doesn’t always need to be posted online.”
I would definitely recommend this book! I think people who have had things shared on the internet that they didn’t want being seen would be able to relate well to Morgan, though she’s kind of whiny at some points so beware. Give this one a try and after it try The Truth About Us!!
Happy first review!