"So let's raise our glasses to the accident season
To the river beneath us where we sink our souls
To the bruises and secrets
To the ghosts in the ceiling
One more drink for the watery road."

This was an odd one. So, I don't typically like Magic Realism. It's probably one of my least favorite types of books to read. But the premise of this story - the synopsis and that odd cover just made it so I couldn't skip this one.

I'm really glad I didn't miss it. The story is a good one, so many secrets surround this family. It's hard not to get wrapped up in their accidents and their hunt for Elsie, their secrets loves and their word towards the party. It's all so haunting and mysterious. The characters were easy and fascinating. I can definitely see myself re-reading this one just to experience it again. ( )

"YA adults love" had a book that was then linked to this. I might rec. this to David....
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Now that I'm done, the tldr is that I won't rec. it, I'm sorry I read it, and there are trigger warnings below in the spoiler.
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Not having a good time. I didn't like We Were Liars, to which it is compared. I don't like to see minors smoking, drinking... well, I don't like to see anybody doing bad things to their health, but especially vulnerable teens... this normalizes that, and also normalizes that it's ok not to work at school.

But I do feel reminders of [b:Jellicoe Road|2999475|Jellicoe Road|Melina Marchetta|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451104831l/2999475._SX50_.jpg|6479100] which I did like (enough to read twice, but which I still don't understand or even actually remember except for the vibe). So, given that I am halfway already, I'll finish, if just so I can find out wth.
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This thing about Sam being her brother. He's been her step-brother for only a few years. I know what matters is that Cara thinks she should think of him as her brother, but I sure don't agree; I don't see any reason they couldn't pair off. Maybe date others to be sure, but what's wrong with spending the rest of your life with someone you know and trust because you were teens together?
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Ok done. Yes, my comments above may seem naive in the light of the big reveals. However, I stand by them. This book is exploitive. For the sake of beautiful writing, we are inflicted with triggers about sexual abuse of a child, murder, self-harm, etc.. The only possible value here is for a young person who is a victim, as they may be able to reframe their own situation and feel seen, feel as if they have a chance to move along and to heal. The rest of us are just Peeping Toms. ( )

In some ways, a book about the lies that we tell in order to cope with our realities, in others, a book of secrets. Pleasingly mysterious and dances beautifully in the liminal space, where reality may or may not be hanging out. Good suspense, and a well told tale. ( )

I'm not sure how to describe this book. Its got magic realism and kinda ghost stuff happening and its a book about family and trauma and secrets. The idea of an accident season isn't really something I have encountered before and I thought it was very interesting even though the book wasn't specifically about that as much as I was expecting. I liked it. But I see how some people might find it off putting. The story gets a bit scrambled at times and its not always possible to tell whats really happening in the moment and what is happening in imaginings and memory and magic. And if you need a concrete ending an explanation of events this is not the place to go looking. ( )

teen fiction (suspense with paranormal elements and romantic twists; family secrets) ( )