We live in a world that allows us to express ourselves. There is nothing wrong (or at least shouldn't be) with love between two males or females, there is nothing wrong with love between rich and poor, old and (not too) young, smart and dummy, boring and funny, ...As long as they are not related.
Lochan (17) and Maya (16) are brother and sister, but they look more like father and mother. Each day they get up, take care of their brothers and sister, go to school, pay bills, cook lunch, ... Their mother is an alcoholic and she didn't ever cared about her children. She is more busy spending time with her new boyfriend and spending money on him. Their father left when they were 11 and 12.
They are doing a great job. But then one day, they start feeling other feelings than just friendship and loyalty. They realize they are in love. And this love is forbidden, no matter what.
Tabitha Suzuma wrote the story from two different POVs - the narrator in one chapter is Maya and the next is Lochan. That connects the story even more. We are able to see the struggle and pain both of them are going through. They are different, but their feelings are similar, strong and clear. They are both scared of getting caught, how shouldn't they be when there is whole family at risk. Social workers would put them away immediately, if they knew what's going on behind those walls.
Reading this book put a lot of feelings in me and none of them were disgust or disapproval. I was happy, sad, angry, full of pain, furious, again happy and that continue till the end of the story when I almost cry. I don't cry because of books, I do laugh, but never cry, so it was really hard to get through all this feelings. I knew the end won't be happy, it couldn't be. Not in their world. However, that didn't stop me from hoping and if you think about it, it was happy. At least for Lochan, who knew his family will be safe.
I recommend this book to each of you. It's not really an easy reading as usual YA books, sometimes gets pretty complicated, especially with Lochan POVs. Remember, you are not reading children or teenagers thoughts, Lochan and Maya are grown ups. But this fact and the whole description shouldn't stop you from reading it, it should encourage you to give it a chance.
Don't judge, love is the most beautiful thing person can do and if it's real, it should be allowed.
5/5 stars
I am dying to read this book!