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A Raven Award Winning Irish author's North American debut. A moving YA novel about mental illness and recovery.
18-year-old Saoirse can’t wait to leave school – but just before the final exams her ex-boyfriend dies by suicide. Everyone blames Saoirse – even Saoirse herself, who cheated on him with his best friend. She is shunned by her schoolmates and suffers unbearable levels of anxiety, which her useless counsellor does nothing to alleviate.
On the night of the prom, everything becomes too much and Saoirse makes a decision that lands her in a psychiatric hospital. Slowly, painfully, with the support of a friendly hospital cleaner, her old best friend, her kind and hilarious grandmother, and even her irritating sister, Saoirse regains hope of finding herself again.
“A bittersweet, honest look at loss and trauma.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Close has a great ear for dialogue and a keen eye for the often-stifling dynamics of small-town life … Read it – and buy a second copy to thrust into the hands of the next platitude-utterer you encounter.” – Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times
""A delightfully scathing look at the platitudes around mental health ... The sharp wit of the protagonist Saoirse and the pitch-perfect dialogue make this book a pleasure to read." – The Irish Times
“An accurate portrayal of a young person’s challenges, this book is also full of hope, love and laughter.” – The Sunday Independent
“An engaging, thought-provoking, moving read that sheds light on the realities of depression while offering honest glimmers of hope.” – LoveReading Expert Review
“Tells a compelling story … without flinching from tackling dark topics including mental health and suicide.” – The Limerick Post
“A beautifully crafted story.” – Paper Lanterns
"Those who wish to understand trauma, like the loss of loved ones, will enjoy and benefit from this story." – Youth Services Book Review
“Incredible 5 star read… I walked every heartache and pain, every high and low of this journey with Saoirse. Mental health issues are drawn so vividly and heartbreakingly, whilst also showing the love and laughs alongside.” – Karla’s Bookish Life
Praise for Helena Close's previous work
“A wonderful storyteller.” Joseph O’Connor.
“Close is an incredible storyteller.” Books Ireland Magazine
Helena Close's debut YA novel The Gone Book was nominated for the Carnegie Medal in 2020. She is a native of Limerick City in Ireland. She has been writing full-time for over 20 years. She has written or co-written eight novels, published by Hodder Headline, Hachette Ireland, Little Island and Blackstaff Press. She is obsessed with rugby, and she loves cats and dogs and sometimes people.