The Beautiful Between by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

Source: Bought
If high school were a fairy-tale kingdom, Connelly Sternin would be
Rapunzel, locked not in a tower by a wicked witch but in a high-rise apartment building by the SATs and college applications—and by the secrets she keeps. Connelly's few friends think that her parents are divorced—but they're not. Connelly's father died when she was two, and she doesn't know how.
If Connelly is the Rapunzel of her school, Jeremy Cole is the crown prince, son of a great and rich New York City family. So when he sits down next to her at lunch one day, Connelly couldn't be more surprised. But Jeremy has a tragic secret of his own, and Connelly is the only one he can turn to for help. Together they form a council of two, helping each other with their homework and sharing secrets. As the pair's friendship grows, Connelly learns that it's the truth, not the secrets, that one must guard and protect. And that between friends, the truth, however harsh, is also beautiful.
This lovely and memorable debut by Alyssa B. Sheinmel contains many of the hallmark themes found in young adult literature—friendship, coming of age, finding a place to belong, and overcoming the death of a loved one. Emotionally moving from start to finish, The Beautiful Between introduces a strong new voice to the genre, a voice with a long future ahead of it.
The Beautiful Between was a gorgeous debut with characters and a plot that engages you from the beginning. I loved Connelly, she was such a sweet and lovable character, a lot of her personality was similar to mine. Jeremy was dreamy and also sensitive. I loved watching these characters develop over time and the plot that pulled them in. The plot was rather sad, but it is more about truth and honesty, then the sadness that those can cause. Sheinmel is an epic writer that creates a story that swells your heart and makes you want more. I can't wait to see more from her in the future. Her new book, The Lucky Kind looks epic!