As an AuDHD girlie who grew up in a tiny rural town (honestly it would make Anthracite Springs look massive), who is still close with a few of the friends I’ve had since I was 8, who says “pop”, and will forever have a bit of a Yinzer accent, this book really hit home for me. I grew up on cheap beer, back roads, driving 20+ minutes to get groceries, and have family members who have worked in the mills.

Nellie Wilson did such an amazing job of capturing the nostalgia of coming back home, the heart and grit of the blue collar town atmosphere, as well as that desire so many of us have had to leave our hometown and maybe never look back. 

I loved seeing Kelly and Sam find their way back to each other as adults alongside Kelly finding that sense of community that Sam has been fighting so hard for. 

P.S. it’s definitely “pop”, not “soda.” Fight me. 

Highlights: