For a teen struggling with self-doubt and finding their place, this story offers a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and learning to embrace who you are.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is wrestling with body image, social anxiety, or the painful feeling of being an outsider. It's a gentle and hopeful story for any young person who has a hard time seeing their own worth. The book follows fifteen-year-old Colie, who has recently lost weight but still carries the emotional scars of being bullied. While spending the summer with her wonderfully eccentric aunt, she gets a job at a local diner and makes her first real friends. Through these new relationships, Colie slowly learns that self-confidence isn't about what you look like, but about accepting every part of who you are. This book is a comforting read that champions found family, true friendship, and the quiet courage it takes to love yourself.
The story includes crushes, dating, and some kissing.
LanguageMild
Occasional use of mild curse words like 'hell' and 'damn'.
Sensitive Topics
The book's primary sensitive topic is body image and low self-esteem, stemming from past bullying about weight. The approach is direct and secular. It explores the emotional and psychological impact of being ostracized for one's appearance. The resolution is deeply hopeful and realistic: Colie's journey is not about celebrating her weight loss, but about learning that her worth is intrinsic and not tied to her physical form. Her confidence is a work in progress, which feels authentic.
Ideal Reader
A teen, aged 13-16, who struggles with social anxiety, body image, or a powerful inner critic. This is for the reader who feels like they are on the outside of every social circle, who may have recently changed schools or changed physically but still feels like the 'old' version of themselves inside.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, as its themes are handled gently. A parent might want to be prepared for conversations about the long-term impact of bullying and the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, particularly when a parent's career (like the mom's fitness empire) touches on a child's insecurity. There is some mild language and kissing. A parent hears their teen say things like, "No one likes me," or "I'm too weird," or sees them avoiding social events. The child might be making constant self-deprecating jokes about their appearance or seems unable to accept a compliment.
Age Experience
A younger reader (13-14) will connect strongly with the 'finding your tribe' aspect, the sweet romance, and the satisfying journey of making friends. An older reader (15-17) may appreciate the more nuanced themes: the contrast between external appearance and internal reality, the concept of a 'found family', and the realization that self-acceptance is an ongoing process.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many stories that focus on the journey of physical transformation, this book starts after the protagonist has already lost weight. Its unique power lies in demonstrating that internal change does not automatically follow external change. It brilliantly decouples self-worth from appearance, making it a powerful story about the 'inside job' of building confidence. The quirky, supportive cast creates a safe, comforting world for this exploration.
Read plot summary
Fifteen-year-old Colie, still deeply insecure after a childhood of being overweight and bullied, is sent to live with her eccentric artist Aunt Mira for the summer. In the small beach town of Colby, Colie gets a waitressing job at the Last Chance Diner. There, she tentatively befriends two very different co-workers, the confident Isabel and the kind Morgan. She also forms a connection with her aunt's quiet and equally awkward tenant, Norman. Through these new, supportive relationships, Colie begins to confront her painful past and challenge the negative voice in her head, slowly building the confidence to embrace her true self.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of the book, Colie feels like her 'old self' and 'new self' are two separate people. How does her thinking about this change by the end of the summer?
2
Aunt Mira collects 'found objects' for her art. How is this similar to the way she builds a family in Colby? What does the story suggest makes a real family?
3
Isabel and Morgan are very different friends, and Colie learns something unique from each of them. What are the most important lessons she learns from their friendship?
4
Norman and Colie are both very insecure, but they show it in different ways. How are their personal journeys similar? How are they different?
5
Colie’s mom loves her, but their relationship is complicated. How does her mom’s job as a fitness celebrity affect Colie’s self-esteem?
