Allie had never been serious about the suicide pact she and her big sister, Leah, had created when their parent's fights became unbearable. But after Leah takes a fatal overdose of pills, Allie is forced to look back and ask herself how she didn't see how much pain her sister was in, and why she had been left out of Leah's decision. This story proves to be a well-written portrait, not just of grief but also of the pain of realizing you didn't really know someone you thought you were close to. Ramey's haunting novel is reminiscent of Jennifer Brown's Hate List (2009), with similar themes of devastating hindsight, and Gayle Forman's I Was Here (2015), which also captures the desperation to make sense of a loved one's suicide. Allie's own prescription-drug abuse is handled well, with the consequences ysical and emotional id out clearly without getting too preachy. A heavy but powerful read that tackles big topics without letting them drag the narrative down.

Life has changed dramatically for Allie, a once carefree teen with a passion for painting. Her older sister, Leah, has just committed suicide, leaving Allie behind to pick up the pieces of her life. She cannot understand why Leah did it without her, breaking their pact to be together in life and death. From overbearing parents who constantly bicker over what is best for her to hypersensitive friends and teachers, Allie seeks the numb comfort provided in an over-the-counter bottle of cold medicine and prescription drugs. The more she remembers Leah and the night she died, the more secrets reveal themselves and Allie spirals out of control seeking the truth. No longer inspired to be the person she once was, Allie struggles to find reasons to remain in the life her sister no longer wanted before it is too late for her as well.In her debut novel, The Sister Pact, Ramey tackles the difficult topics of suicide, abuse, and drug addiction. It is a gut-wrenching story of Allie's life after her sister's death, and readers often feel helpless as she proceeds down a path of self-destruction. Her family life is depicted with raw realism and it is surprisingly easy to feel sympathetic toward every character. As this is a story containing abuse, depression, and teen suicide and its aftermath, some characters unsurprisingly use illegal and prescription drugs. There is a brief scene in which the main character engages in a sexual act, which ultimately contributes to her character development. Overall, it is a powerful story of redemption, forgiveness, love, and the ability to persevere.Erin Segreto.