The fulminating impact of one event on a family is explored in this richly nuanced tale…The narration's shifts in time underscore the many contrasts running through the novel: the jealousy vs. longing love of the two sisters, dark moodiness against hope for the future, the emotional difference between voluntary and enforced leave-taking. 

Publishers Weekly

Elissa Haden Guest creates such real people that you feel you could run into them tomorrow morning downtown…. the developing love story of Kate and Max is beautifully written…

Robert Cormier