"I think writing is by definition an act of optimism. Even when what you're writing about is painful or tragic."

"I guess, I don't know, by writing about the things that make life more difficult, we release them. And when we release secrets, we give them less power."

This was a tough and dark one for me at the time of reading because of its trigger warnings of bullying, graphic description of hazing, homophobia, sexual abuse, racism, and mental disorder (Trichotillomania).

I appreciated what the author was trying to do with the topics in this book, but it was inconclusive and lacked depth for me. I never get to know our main 5 characters very well, there is a lot that needed to be told about them that wasn't explored. A found family concept is there, but I don't feel the closeness. And at the finale, it was rushed and nothing seemed to have been solved.