The Conditions of Will

"I knew that it would have killed you if you knew I came to you and you weren't there for me, so I let it kill me instead."  Complicated families is one of the most interesting things to read about and I loved this one! The way these siblings all have different dynamics with each other, their parents, their wider family, all makes for such a good and captivating story and all the hurt and unfairness and secrets that you could find in this very dysfunctional family made me cry several times.  The fmc, Georgia, is also such an interesting character and while I wouldn't necessarily describe her thought-process and the way she can read people as relateable to me, it was so fun and beautiful to see the world through such different eyes for a while.  I also really love the writing style and how some feelings are described so fittingly. 'He feels like the kind of memories I wish I had but don't.'  'The memory of pain flashes across him, and the way it splays on his face makes my bones sting, which I find strange because my bones never sting for other people, and I begin to wonder whether perhaps Sam Penny isn't "other people". Maybe Sam Penny isn't "people" to me at all.'  'He sees me like how the poets talk about.'  If you're looking for a book boyfriend with seemingly endless patience, grace and understanding, Sam Penny is the guy for you. Having already battled all his demons and looked his own darkness straight in the eye, he truly is the perfect companion to take on a road-trip to uncover life-long family secrets. While I do feel that his connection with Georgia is falling a little into 'insta-love' territory, I loved how he was always so ready to be completely open and vulnerable and didn't shy away from hard questions. "You don’t even know me -" "Yeah." He pushes his hand through my hair, and in case you're wondering, our interpersonal proximity is next to none. Ten inches between us? Maybe a little less? "But I'm trying to."  Sam's face softens. "You asking me to fall in love sith you?" I smile coyly. "Maybe." "Maybe I will."  "And I love you as well, Ol - I do - but I love her more, and differently, and you can’t talk to her like that."  I don't know if I would necessarily recommend this book for the romance part though, because (albeit great and fun to read about) it was neither the best nor the most important part of the story for me. It's really more Georgia's story and her journey of battling, uncovering, accepting and freeing herself from her family. Seeing her grow beyond the ties of her family and the things that haunt her made for an amazing read.