Asa is a sarcastic, smart and hard working girl who just can't seem to catch a break. Trouble follows her around like a tail, even when she has the best of intentions. She's been arrested for protesting with her hippie, psychic mom, has moved more times than she can count, is hanging on by a thread at both school and whichever job she can keep. Add to that teachers who aren't supportive but condescending, and a police officer with an evil soul stalking her, and you can imagine the helpless frustration she must be feeling. I even let out a groan of frustration myself! Her only friend, Walker, has been supportive, to a point, but has baggage of his own.
Aja's bright spot comes where she least expects it, in a job that connects her with others, and helping out has never cost her so much! Karma's a beast, and when Aja finally sets some good into motion, it starts heading her way again.
Definitely a great story, until nearly the end, that is..I'm all for a happy ending, but this one does a 180 from the tone of the entire first three quarters of the book. Not only does Aja's life turn completely around, everyone she touched has a similar experience. It's as if Miley Cyrus turned into Snow White, it's entirely too abrupt, without a natural change, and it just doesn't fit. I do admire the idea that everyone can change for the better, and even Aja's new idea to bring the two sides of her life together to help each other, but again, it's abrupt and ultimately unrealistic to the story.
With a better ending, this would be 5 stars, I liked it that much. However, it felt as if another author stepped in and wrote the end, and I ended up feeling aggravated and cheated out of Aja's true story.
*I received an arc for an honest review ( )