Within about 2 pages I, too, was very, very glad Jennette McCurdy's mom died, and only wish it had happened sooner.

It's quite an intense book, and the choice of retelling Jennette's story in the present tense, focusing on thoughts she had at the time and with very little analysis, turns out to be very effective. The less Jennette reacts to the horror of her situation, the more the reader can feel said horror.

I'll admit I had no idea who McCurdy was prior to hearing of this book and in a way it feels very satisfying, as it seems she would rather be remembered as an author.