
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with intrusive thoughts or a paralyzing fear of the future following a family tragedy. Petula de Wilde is convinced that if she stays hyper vigilant, she can prevent the next catastrophe from happening. This beautiful, darkly funny story explores how the weight of survivor guilt can manifest as obsessive-compulsive tendencies and social isolation. Through an unconventional art therapy group and a budding romance with a boy who has his own hidden scars, Petula learns that living safely is not the same as being alive. It is a realistic, secular, and deeply empathetic look at adolescent mental health and the messy process of forgiveness. Parents will appreciate how it balances heavy themes with genuine wit, making the path to healing feel accessible rather than clinical.
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Sign in to write a reviewSweet, age-appropriate high school romance and kissing.
The backstory involves a tragic accident resulting in a loss of life.
Characters keep secrets about their pasts to protect themselves and others.
The book deals directly with the death of a child (SIDS/accidental) and the subsequent fallout in a secular, realistic manner. Mental health is a primary focus, particularly anxiety and guilt. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: it does not 'cure' the characters, but it shows them moving toward a functional, happier life.
A high schooler who feels responsible for things outside of their control, or a teen who uses humor and sarcasm as a shield while dealing with significant internal anxiety or grief.
Parents should be aware of a plot twist involving Jacob's past and a car accident that may be intense for some readers. It can be read cold, but be ready to discuss the difference between 'caution' and 'paralyzing fear.' A parent might notice their child becoming increasingly withdrawn, obsessive about safety routines, or expressing deep-seated guilt over a family loss or change.
Younger teens (13-14) will connect with the quirky romance and humor. Older teens (17-18) will likely resonate more deeply with the nuance of Petula's parents' strained marriage and the complexity of moving on from tragedy.
Nielsen excels at 'sad-com.' Unlike many books about grief that feel relentlessly somber, this uses sharp, witty dialogue and absurd situations to make the heavy themes digestible.
Petula de Wilde is a sixteen-year-old girl living with severe anxiety and OCD-adjacent behaviors following the accidental death of her younger sister. She avoids 'danger' at all costs, from construction sites to specific foods. At her school's mandated 'YART' (Youth at Risk) art therapy program, she meets Jacob, a charming new student with a prosthetic arm and a mysterious past. As they bond over film projects and eccentric crafts, Petula must decide if the risk of getting hurt is worth the reward of connection.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.