Derek is just your typical high school student. Trying to survive winter in Ohio, meet the girl of his dreams, settle into the 9-5 life living the American dream. Did I mention that we’re also in contact with aliens?

The book may seem a bit shallow to some, but the easy writing style made the book a quick and enjoyable read. The book keeps up a steady pace and I never felt bored along the way.

The characters of the book, especially Jenny, fall a bit flat. Derek is easily the most dynamic, but not the most interesting. Karl is my favorite character because even though we don’t get to see a lot of him, he’s philosophical and helps Derek understand how things can move forward, and that he can live without Jenny.

Overall the book was a good breather after finishing The Night Circus. Parts of the book had me outright laughing while Derek’s depression made me worry about how the book would finish. In the end, it hits a high note and finishes strongly.