This book was horrible. The plot and characters were shallow ( )

Fantastic story of friendship, love, acceptance, and hope. Emma is the daughter of a wealthy, controlling, and manipulative mother. Sophie's mother, Rebel, is a single parent who earns her living cleaning houses. When the girls were little, Rebel cleaned Emma's house and used to take Sophie along with her. Emma and Sophie connected over their love of painting and became best friends. But when Emma was twelve, her mother Victoria fired Rebel, splitting up the friends. Victoria insisted on homeschooling Emma, claiming that Emma couldn't handle the stress of public school. Though Emma went away to college, she left after her first semester, returning home in a state of depression that lingered for ten years. The ever-manipulative Victoria manages to convince Emma that she cannot cope and bounces her in and out of mental institutions.

Sophie worked to put herself through school and became an increasingly successful artist. As she prepares for a big show, Sophie hears of Emma's latest incarceration. Wracked with guilt over losing touch with her friend, Sophie is stunned by Emma's condition when she visits. She impulsively spirits Emma away to the artists' colony where she spends every summer, determined to help her friend.

I loved seeing Emma and Sophie reconnect. Despite being apart for ten years, their friendship rekindles quickly. Sophie is the right combination of bulldozer and cheerleader to help Emma regain confidence in herself and rediscover her love of painting. I loved Sophie's patience and empathy as she helps Emma face the traumatic event that sent her on that downward spiral. It was great to see the emergence of the new Emma. I cheered for her when she stood up to Victoria and sighed with happiness at the return of her artistic mojo. The descriptions of her artwork leaped off the page with their vivid colors and subtle encouragements.

The rekindling of their friendship also had a significant effect on Sophie. She, too, experienced a traumatic event her freshman year, one that still haunts her. When her long-running relationship with her boyfriend looks ready to move to the next level, Sophie's fears come rushing to the surface. Emma's "rescue" of Sophie was funny and emotional and precisely what she needed.

I loved the setting of the tiny artists' group in the wilds of southern Texas. Each member of the group possessed a unique talent and personality that enhanced the story. Arty and Filly provided the experience of the older generation while remaining free-spirited and fun. Their teasing banter with each other was hilarious, and their support of the younger people was unwavering. It was sweet to see the way they welcomed Emma into their lives.

The other member was Josh, who owns the trailer park. Josh is an equally talented artist who could be considered reclusive. The son of wealthy and intelligent parents, Josh always felt like a misfit in his family. Though highly intelligent, he had no interest in the prestigious careers his parents recommended. Instead, he used an inheritance to buy the trailer park and pursue the art that makes him happy. Josh is shy and sensitive, and awkward around most women, but Emma was different.

I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Josh and Emma. She is understandably wary around men, but she never feels threatened by him. Josh is smitten right away but senses Emma's skittishness and offers her simple friendship to start with. I loved his encouragement of her artistic endeavors and how he included her in his own. There were sweet scenes of their growing feelings, and I loved seeing them together. The episode in the cave was great. I loved the surprise at the end. The epilogue was fantastic, and I loved seeing everyone a few years down the line.

#netgalley ( )