In this book we meet our main character Athena Brkovich who I feel can only be described as real. She is the epitome of humanity's struggles with emotions and I feel that Palleck really put a lot of thought and time into developing Athena's character. 
Athena's life is not an easy one and Palleck made sure that we, as readers, knew this and that we could understand that your past can affect you, but you can get through it.

This book is ridden with deep emotions and I connected immediately with Palleck's writing. No one is perfect in this book and that's honestly both comforting and moving.  I mean who is perfect in real life? Why is there this stigma about having perfect characters? I love that Palleck defied this and wrote about a dysfunctional family, people who are not perfect, yet people who can find their 'light'. Also, the whole subject of not fitting in, I love that. It really resonated with me, especially as someone who felt as though they didn't fit in anywhere. 
One of the messages I got from this book is: There is hope everywhere, look for it, you will find it...or it can come to you, just be patient even through everything life may throw at you.