All That’s Left to Say

How? How do you continue living after your best friend and cousin dies? Hannah cannot fathom a world in which Sophie does not exist or comprehend how Sophie died from a drug overdose—she wasn’t a drug user! Sure, Sophie had some health issues recently but she wouldn’t turn to illegal drugs. Hannah knows this!

Someone gave her cousin the drugs that ended her life, and Hannah becomes determined to find out the truth, even going so far as to enroll as a student at her cousin’s private school. Hannah enlists Gabi, Sophie’s best friend at school, and Christian, long-time debate opponent, to find out what really happened, even if it means burning everything down, including her future, her family, and her friendships.

This heartbreaking tale depicts the devastation of the opioid epidemic, similar to Mindy McCready’s Heroine though not as graphic. The chapters alternate between Hannah’s junior and senior year, which can be confusing, but short chapters help keep the story moving. Hannah’s growth from the death of her best friend to the closure she hopes to achieve is hopeful while gut wrenching. Read with tissues handy.