​Ruby is cutting water polo practice, something she rarely does, after finding out her mom was now dating her coach. While trying to muster up the courage to ask a boy to buy her alcohol, an earthquake hits Sacramento, and the laundromat that Ruby and the boy, Charlie, had been standing in is now rubble. Ruby and Charlie fight to survive as they also recount their relationships and lives, and what led them to this moment. The book is organized with time stamps at the start of every chapter, offering further insight to the reader on exactly how long the two had been trapped in the laundromat. 
 
I could not put this book down. The themes of love, loss, regret, and guilt are so powerful as the novel progresses and the suspense of wanting to know how the characters would fare furthers the angst of the novel. The setting of the book is mostly in the laundromat, and some scenes can almost feel repetitive, but in this case, it wasn’t a bad thing. I felt the environment of the novel became more and more worrying as the characters had nothing to do but wait for their rescue. The symbolism of aftershocks relating to the literal aftershocks of the earthquake and how they impacted Ruby and Charlie, as well as the figurative meaning of aftershocks and how the earthquake left lasting effects on the community as a whole was a thoughtful addition to the novel. Though it was a quick read, I feel the themes of this book were portrayed well
because of how dire the situation was. Overall, this book was great, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. ​ (Sep '20)

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  (Morgan is a high school junior struggling to forgive herself for the part she thinks she holds in a tragedy that occurred at her old school. Her struggles with PTSD and panic attacks cause her to never leave her apartment, attend online school, and have meetings with her therapist two times a week. Then Evan moves in next door. Through him, Morgan remembers everything she misses about her old life, and everything she’s missing now. 
 
I loved this novel so so much. It was devastating, hopeful, sad, happy, and everything in between. The first person narration worked wonderfully because it allowed the reader to learn Morgan’s secrets and regrets on her time, and showcased her mindset through her good days and bad days. There was a touch of romance as well. Not too much where it became a distraction, but enough where it is able to show Morgan’s progress. Morgan’s relationship with her brother, father, and mother all add different dimensions to her guilt and her troubles, and allow for more examples of her growth throughout the story. ​ (Jan '17)