For young adults navigating the intense complexities of first love and defining self against the backdrop of a unique, mysterious bond. This book explores the anxieties of transitioning from adolescen
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the blurry lines between an intense friendship and first love, especially if they are also struggling to define their own identity separate from that relationship. The story follows lifelong best friends Althea and Oliver, whose codependent bond is shattered when Oliver develops a mysterious sleeping sickness. To find herself, Althea moves to New York City. This raw, character-driven novel explores codependency, identity, and the pain of growing apart. Due to mature themes including sexuality and substance use, it is best for older teens (15+). It’s an excellent choice for a teen ready for a realistic look at how life’s challenges can force us to redefine our most important relationships.
Deals with the emotional toll of chronic illness and the pain of a fractured friendship.
Sensitive Topics
The book handles chronic illness (Oliver's sleeping disorder) directly and realistically, focusing on the psychological impact on both the patient and his loved ones. The approach is secular. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in realism, acknowledging that love does not cure everything. It also features underage drinking, recreational drug use, and sexual content, depicted as part of the teen experience without heavy moralizing.
Ideal Reader
A mature teen, 15+, who is drawn to character-driven, emotionally intense stories. Perfect for a reader grappling with a changing friendship, feeling left behind, or trying to figure out who they are outside of a key relationship. Also for those who appreciate a strong 90s setting and artistic subcultures.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of scenes depicting underage drinking, marijuana use, and a few frank sexual encounters. The emotional intensity is high. The book can be read cold, but a conversation about the difference between healthy and codependent relationships might be beneficial afterwards. A parent might see their teen pulling away from a childhood best friend, or conversely, being in a friendship that seems overly intense or codependent. They might hear their teen express feelings of being lost or unsure of their identity as they approach the end of high school.
Age Experience
A 14-year-old might focus more on the romance and the tragedy of Oliver's illness. An 18-year-old is more likely to connect with Althea's journey of self-discovery, the challenges of moving to a new city, and the nuances of redefining a foundational relationship in early adulthood.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA romances, this book's central conflict is not a love triangle but an internal and external battle: Althea's struggle for identity and Oliver's struggle with a debilitating illness. Its 1990s setting and focus on codependency give it a unique, gritty texture that stands apart from more contemporary, lighter fare.
Read plot summary
Althea and Oliver, lifelong best friends, have an inseparable, codependent bond. This is shattered when Oliver develops a rare sleeping disorder, leaving Althea feeling abandoned. To forge her own identity, she moves from North Carolina to New York City for art school in the 1990s, immersing herself in the punk scene. When Oliver also comes to NYC for treatment, they must navigate their changed selves and the complicated love that still exists between them.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Before his illness, Althea and Oliver's relationship was very codependent. Do you think their bond was healthy? Why or why not?
2
Althea moves to New York to find herself without Oliver. What specific experiences or people in the city were most important for her growth?
3
When they reconnect, Oliver says, 'You were my whole life, Althea. And then I was sleeping through it.' How does his illness change his perspective on their relationship, compared to Althea's?
4
The book is set in the 1990s. How did the lack of cell phones and social media affect the way Althea and Oliver communicated and stayed connected (or disconnected)?
