What Happens Now
Title: What Happens NowPublished by: HarperCollins
Release Date: June 7, 2016
Genre: Young Adult
Age Range: 13 and up
Pages: 384
ISBN13: 9780062250476
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"I know what it is to want something so badly, you feel like your cells aren’t properly bonded together without it. I also know what it’s like to get that something. And honestly, I’m still not sure which is worse..."
Ari Logan is battling to win her war against depression and the dark night she hurt herself on purpose. It’s not easy: her best friend is drifting away, her mom’s emotionally checked out, and she spends her days playing caregiver to her handful of a half-sister, Danielle. But it’s summer, and anything is possible...That’s when Camden Armstrong steps onto the beach of Ari’s local swimming lake.
At first, Ari quietly longs for Camden from afar, seeing in him everything she wants to be. When the two discover a true connection the following summer, Ari lets herself fall not just for the quirky and self-assured Camden but also his friends, tumbling into their world of independence, adventure, and shared sci-fi fandom. As Ari’s romantic dreams come true, she must unlock the mysteries of the very real and troubled boy behind her infatuation, while also struggling with her own demons, obligations, and loyalties.
From the award-winning author of The Beginning of After and You Look Different in Real Life, What Happens Now is a touching, insightful novel about learning to heal, learning to love, and what happens when fantasy becomes reality.
"A sweet, sensitive romance distinguished by its respect for fandom."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Depicts the subtle complexities of familial and romantic relationships with vividness and sensitivity." --Publishers Weekly
"Castle has created a gripping novel about the aftermath of getting what you have always dreamt of...Captures the feeling of the infinite possibilities that summer holds, while tackling the larger issues that spill into the rest of the year." --ALA Booklist
"Castle’s latest explores life and relationships with a gentle touch, steady rhythm, and quirky characters who face real issues...This romance between shy teens has wide appeal and happily delivers for those who enjoy works by Sarah Dessen." --School Library Journal
"A riveting tale of first love, possibilities, and overcoming the demons within. Castle handles the sensitive topics of depression and self-harm with great compassion. She not only describes what Ari is going through in words, she makes you feel her journey and the healing power of love." --Parent.co
Writing Playlist
I "collected" these songs during the time I was writing What Happens Now. Each one of them inspired me or evoked the characters and story
in some way.