Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Their relationship is doomed from the start. For 15-year-olds Céce and Mack, it's nearly love at first sight—not an easy feat, since they're so remarkably different. He's a dyslexic dropout with a police record. She's an excellent student, studying for an entrance exam to a gifted-and-talented program. Each comes from a hard-drinking, single-parent family, although Céce's mother exudes heartfelt affection while Mack's father is a misanthropic hate-monger. When provoked, Mack's anger is nearly uncontrollable, yet his transcendent sensitivity toward Céce and the pit bulls he rescues and cares for is extraordinary. Pushed together by Céce's brother, the heartbreaking depth of their relationship is vividly depicted through affecting prose and believable dialogue. After Mack gets into serious trouble, their resulting separation marks the end; each of them has to find a way to continue on, horribly damaged, but not destroyed. Remarkable characters abound: Vic, the wily fellow who employs them both in his quirky restaurant; Anthony, Céce's brave older brother; Wash, a compassionate prison guard; Mr. Thompkins, an impatient, drill-sergeant on a mission; and, notably, a pair of slobbering, devoted pit bulls. Even a too-convenient climax doesn't detract but rather gives readers and characters the relief they need. Achingly, authentically emotionally resonant, this sad, never-saccharine tale related in alternating voices will have absorbed readers reaching for the Kleenex.  An outstanding love story peopled by a wealth of memorable characters. (Fiction. 14 & up)

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gr 10 Up-C&3;ce doesn't think much of herself. Although she is studying to take a gifted and talented test, works part time at Vic's pizza shop, and patiently looks out for her alcoholic mother, it isn't until she meets Mack, a fellow employee, that she begins to notice her strengths. When her older brother ships off to boot camp, he asks Mack to look after his sister. Timid Mack cannot even look her in the eye (or anyone else for that matter), but he agrees to help, and C&3;ce begins to fall for the handsome, sensitive teen. Even though Mack has dropped out of school and has learning problems, she sees past that to the sweet boy who rehabilitates abused pit bulls, who has dreams and shares secrets, and who is also battling an oppressive home life. She overcomes her fear of dogs and is ready to open her heart to a rescue animal. A romance ensues, one that is as passionate and frantic as first love often is. Then Mack, who has anger issues, strikes out at a vindictive neighbor and changes everything. Told in alternating chapters between the two teens over the span of just 102 days, Griffin's novel weaves a haunting story of love and heartbreak. C&3;ce's transformation is realistic and bittersweet as she moves from "Who am I without him?" to a girl who dreams her own dreams. And although Mack's actions are brutal, one cannot help but feel empathy for him and hope for his redemption via his work training service dogs. A stellar story, with genuine dialogue and drama, this is a book that will appeal greatly to teens, especially dog lovers.— Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, East Columbus, NJ

ALA Booklist

When high-school dropout Mack falls in love with ambitious, straight-A student Céce, her alcoholic mother and military brother immediately accept him. Everything is perfect: Mack has a loving girlfriend, an encouraging family, and a beloved pet pit bull. Then he makes an irreversibly bad mistake, and their world, along with their dreams for the future, crumbles. Torn apart, Mack and Céce must learn to move on after love ends. Griffin, award-winning author of The Orange Houses (2009), offers a strong title in the competitive teen romance genre. When faced with horrible circumstances, Mack and Céce discover that their lives have a greater purpose than they ever imagined. With tragic Romeo-and-Juliet elements, this is a fast-paced, refreshingly honest, and surprisingly realistic urban love story that avoids sentimentality; and while it's no fairy tale, Griffin leaves room for a hopeful ending.

Horn Book

She's a bright student, he's a high school dropout; her family is loving, while his dad is abusive. Despite apparent differences, fifteen-year-olds Cice and Mack fall in love. Their romance is cut short when volatile Mack makes an impetuous decision. Griffin subtly maintains a level of optimism in this painful story, creating in readers a mixture of emotions that won't soon leave them.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Their relationship is doomed from the start. For 15-year-olds Céce and Mack, it's nearly love at first sight—not an easy feat, since they're so remarkably different. He's a dyslexic dropout with a police record. She's an excellent student, studying for an entrance exam to a gifted-and-talented program. Each comes from a hard-drinking, single-parent family, although Céce's mother exudes heartfelt affection while Mack's father is a misanthropic hate-monger. When provoked, Mack's anger is nearly uncontrollable, yet his transcendent sensitivity toward Céce and the pit bulls he rescues and cares for is extraordinary. Pushed together by Céce's brother, the heartbreaking depth of their relationship is vividly depicted through affecting prose and believable dialogue. After Mack gets into serious trouble, their resulting separation marks the end; each of them has to find a way to continue on, horribly damaged, but not destroyed. Remarkable characters abound: Vic, the wily fellow who employs them both in his quirky restaurant; Anthony, Céce's brave older brother; Wash, a compassionate prison guard; Mr. Thompkins, an impatient, drill-sergeant on a mission; and, notably, a pair of slobbering, devoted pit bulls. Even a too-convenient climax doesn't detract but rather gives readers and characters the relief they need. Achingly, authentically emotionally resonant, this sad, never-saccharine tale related in alternating voices will have absorbed readers reaching for the Kleenex.  An outstanding love story peopled by a wealth of memorable characters. (Fiction. 14 & up)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a narrative spanning 102 days, Mack and CéCe, co-workers at a restaurant and co-narrators of the story, are set up by CéCe's brother, Anthony, and slowly hit it off. CéCe is heartbroken when Anthony joins the army, leaving her alone with their alcoholic mother, whose condition Griffin (The Orange Houses) delicately conveys with profound emotion. Mack, whose mother left him with a bitter alcoholic father, is gentle with the dogs he trains, but he's mentally disturbed-psychologically tormented by a hissing noise, "Like when you roll the radio to static and dial up the volume." When the hissing gets loud, generally as a reaction to injustice, Mack turns chillingly violent. As tension builds, readers will likely anticipate that this violence will ignite the conflict that brings Mack and CéCe's relationship to an end, but each step of that journey is authentic, painful, and heartfelt. Griffin's gift at giving voice to deeply flawed, disadvantaged characters without patronizing or oversimplifying their circumstances shines in this moving novel of loss, acceptance, and the possibility of redemption. Ages 14-up. (Sept.)