I am always pleasantly surprised when I find a contemporary book that I like this much! All the video game references definitely helped. I like that the games are Donkey Kong, and Oregon Trail and Harvest Moon, because these are all games I grew up with and absolutely adore. The most refreshing part of this is that the characters are so realistic! There are a few characters the book focuses on and none of them are without flaws. They drift apart for no real reason, there doesnt have to be a big fight or falling out. They don't say all the things they should be saying. It just felt very real and authentic.