The debut novel by American author Tawni O'Dell, the story revolves around Harley Altmyer, a teenager who takes care of his three younger sisters. Published in 2000, the book was an Oprah's Book Club release.
In 2018, it was adapted into a film directed by and starring Alex Pettyfer, alongside Juliette Lewis, Robert Patrick, Jennifer Morrison, and Nicola Peltz.
Tropes featured in this novel include:
- Brother–Sister Incest: Harley and Amber, at the very end, although it's hinted that they had a sexual relationship when they were younger.
- Hollywood New England: The story is set in rural Pennsylvania, but much is made of the class difference between the working-class Altmyers and their wealthy neighbour, whose father owns most of the land nearby.
- In Medias Res: Harley is already at the police station, talking about what got him there.
- Likes Older Women: Subverted. Harley sort of falls into his affair with the mother next door, but he claims his life is "lousy with women."
- Parental Abandonment: His father was murdered by his mother not really. When visiting her in prison, Harley gets the impression that she's relieved to be there, stripped of her parental duties.
- Parental Favoritism: Misty is clearly her dad's favourite, though the possibility of sexual abuse is hinted at.
- Promotion to Parent: Harley. He's offered a choice: He can be "an ADULT with dependents, or an ORPHAN with nobody."
