When Vicky wakes up after surviving a suicide attempt, she’s fully prepared to try again. Her father and stepmother, who he married after Vicky's mother passed away, are planning to send her nana and only friend back to Mexico. She had no friends in school, and living felt pointless to her. Before the attempt, suicide was her only way out of a painful and meaningless life.

After her new doctor, Dr. Desai, suggests that she stay at Lakeview Hospital until she’s ready to return home, she accepts the offer. There, she meets Mona, who’s outgoing and cheery; Gabriel, who’s wise yet sometimes confusing; and E.M., who’s constantly angry. The four quickly become close, and with the help of Dr. Desai, they begin to work through the events that lead up to them coming to Lakeview Hospital. 

When a tragic accident occurs, Vicky and the others are forced to split up and return home. As she returns to the life that drove her to suicide, Vicky has to find a way to survive, even when things seem like they won’t get better. 

Vicky, E.M., Gabriel and Mona’s friendship was quite sweet to read about and I really enjoyed their interactions throughout the book, especially Mona and E.M.’s friendship. Gabriel and Vicky’s interactions were also insightful and interesting to read, while providing insight into both of their personalities. I enjoyed the writing style used throughout the book as well, and Vicky’s narration never felt boring to me throughout the book. 

I wish that the story had focused a bit more on Vicky, her father and Barbara’s dynamics, as while it was mentioned a few times, it wasn’t a major part of the story. Considering her father is practically an antagonist from the beginning of the book, I think more elaboration on Vicky and her father’s relationship in particular would be helpful, as I felt like even though their relationship had potential, the story didn’t really talk about their dynamics. 

I do appreciate books that prompt open discussion about mental health and depression as it feels like it hasn’t been talked about much in the past. This book does a good job of discussing mental health without romanticising mental disorders, which is crucial in a story that revolves around characters suffering from various mental disorders. As a note, though, this book may be difficult to read due to the frank discussions of suicide, and if you do decide to read this book, make sure to take breaks if it feels like too much at times. 

I would give this book an 8/10 for great characters and its frank discussions of mental disorders while not romanticising them. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with depression or mental disorders, although please keep in mind that this book may be overwhelming at times.