It isn’t the trauma that almost ruins Lavender, it is the shame she swallows when she keeps a sexual assault she experiences at a college party a secret. As she pushes away those closest to her, she finds herself alone and lonely.

To her former fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Gordon, she’s the reliable babysitter; to her devoted extended family, she’s the beloved daughter, niece, and cousin; and to Jana, who attends the same high school, she is best friend. But her assault at a college party, leaves Lavender terrified of being truly seen and known.

Lavender unexpectedly forms loving relationships with a boy pen pal in Cuba that she’s never met, and a grandmother who usually doesn’t remember who Lavender is.

When her lies begin unraveling in a very public way, how will others treat Lavender?

This book kept me glued to the page, wondering how it would end for Lavender.