This book. Wow. I can’t stop thinking about it, especially the ending. It is a true masterpiece and must-read. IMO, one of the best books of summer. I personally think it’s THE best book of summer, or at least tied with The God of the Woods. It’s a mystery/thriller that is written so beautifully (similar to God of the Woods in that sense) but there is also a friendship story, a love story, a serial killer, a missing persons case… I could go on. It is a slow burn and definitely lulls at times, but it’s so worth the slower parts as the ending just smacks you over the head multiple times. I absolutely loved it. The book starts in 1975 where we meet Patch (a local boy; the poor but scrappy son of a drug addict. Patch is a nickname as he’s missing an eye). We meet his best friend Saint (a tomboy who is raising bees), and his crush Misty (the wealthy, beautiful girl that doesn’t know he exists). Misty is targeted and Patch is in the right time at the right place (depending on how you look at it). He saves her life… suffering tragic consequences for himself. Meanwhile, Saint is determined to make things right. The book takes us all the way into the nineties, following the characters as they all take diverging paths. I don’t want to say anything else for fear of giving spoilers! This plot is very dark and will break your heart a million times. And something happens about 80% of the way through that I did not like and did not see happening. But I loved the book. For its writing, it’s twisty plot, it’s memorable characters… it’s just incredible!