by Randy Ribay
First published 2015
Archie rolls the dice at another Thursday night Dungeons & Dragons session, but the real battles happen outside the game. His parents' divorce still weighs on him while his three closest friends face their own struggles. Mari discovers a chance to reach out to her biological mother. Dante carries a secret about his sexuality that he wants to share but fears the consequences. Sam watches his relationship crumble despite his desperate efforts to save it. Their weekly gaming sessions provide escape, but senior year forces real decisions. When talking fails to solve their mounting problems, the four pack into a car for a cross-country journey. The road trip becomes their last attempt to either confront what's breaking them apart or run from it entirely. Each friend sees their shared story differently, and their conflicting perspectives reveal how much they need each other. At seventeen, hanging out isn't enough anymore. They must choose whether to grow together or drift apart.
Genres: coming-of-age, contemporary, young-adult, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, friends-to-lovers
240 pages · Hardcover · Merit Press
Content warnings: anxiety, depression