Surprisingly this plot didn't follow the format which most teen realistic fictions take. There are 2 main characters, Ivan and Maddie. The lure of the story is Ivan having to constantly support his drunk father while Maddie is debating whether or not to tell her parents about Ivan’s life at home. The character motivation and stakes for both Maddie and Ivan are very clear. Ivan refuses to receive help not wanting anyone to discover about his father and refuses to leave his dad in the state he is in now. Maddie is debating if she should break Ivans trust by telling her parents in hopes that they could help Ivan or remain silent. It's a simple plot that ties in nicely at the end with mildly interesting events happening between the, to further the story. Some parts however felt rushed and unexplained, such as Ivan and Maddie’s sudden relationship from nowhere and how Maddie's parents conveniently allowed her to attend college later rather than now. 

Characters

The characters were mediocre. Ivan and Maddie had both seemed a bit dull, especially Maddie. Her character doesn't show as much depth as Ivan, it's not to say her character is bad, it's just lacking some personality. After reading, she fit the main criteria of being artistic and caring which is fine on its own, but a way of knowing if a character is developed enough in a book is to be able to anticipate their actions or be able to feel as if you truly knew them. Ivan’s character was more deeper than Maddie's but we mainly got to see the negative and frustrated side of him more than anything else.

Writing

The writing was quite enjoyable, it wasn't overly descriptive and it was easy to follow. Even though it may had not been very descriptive the writer had chosen words that would give sentences a punch. The story is alternating between the points of view of Maddie and Ivan. Personally I liked how every chapter/point of view wrapped itself up with a satisfying ending that makes it feel set. The aesthetic and scenery the writer had established was very vivid and alive I feel. The theme and setting had seemed to fit that lazy beach day idea in my mind, it gave a good representation of what a good summer is.