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Anna Tate has a difficult home life. Her mother is a drug addict who is constantly cruel, foul-mouthed, and mean to Anna’s younger twin brothers. Her father is a womanizing alcoholic who tends to avoid coming home. Anna teaches the boys manners and tends to their needs. She acts as the shield between the twins and her mother. Roy Miller lives in the same town, and his family also has secrets. What Anna and Roy share that is stronger than their tortured family lives is the love between them. When they graduate, they plan to marry but must put that plan on hold until Roy returns from being drafted to go to war in Vietnam. Shelly, one of the richest girls in town, plans to steal Roy away from Anna. Although Roy wants nothing to do with her, Shelly is obsessed with him. When Roy doesn’t come back from Vietnam, Shelly claims she is carrying Roy’s baby. Anna knows that isn’t true. After all, she is pregnant with Roy’s baby.
Slater’s novel is a family drama filled with secrets, lies, and heartache. Her protagonist is a strong-willed young woman full of integrity and grit, and readers will pull for her. Slater’s antagonist is driven by narcissism and obsession fueled by drugs and anger. The author handles the pacing of the novel very well. The prose is smooth and well-written, except for the occasional grammatical error. The best way to describe the book would be to take the drama from a daytime soap and insert it into the world of a Hallmark movie. Readers who love an easy divide between the good guys and bad guys and want a wholesome read will fall in love with Slater’s book and the strength of Anna.