i think we really needed this extended epilogue of a book after the abrupt ending of the last one. and this book definitely measures up to its predecessor, dare i say, it surpasses it. this book is longer, it takes its time but doesn't occupy unnecessary space. it's such a beautiful ode to growing up and becoming an adult and dealing with the world around you with the people that you love. it captures life so well. this book is about maturing and the bonds we have with people we care about. ari's father's death was surprising, but the tone was already so foreboding from the start of that chapter (ari was having too good of a day lol) that i knew something awful was about to happen. cassandra was a welcome addition to the peanut gallery. her and ari had an ironclad, almost queerplatonic, friendship and i loved it. AND DANTE HAS A WHOLE BABY BROTHER NOW WOOOHOOO. i think this was a great coming of age book.
