Everything I Knew to be True

It was never easy for Cassie and her mother, struggling to make ends meet in their tiny apartment in The Bronx, but they had each other and that was enough. Then, in a heartbeat, Cassie's world crumbles when her mother is taken by a relentless form of cancer.

Suddenly orphaned, Cassie's flung across the country to a lavish Californian lifestyle, the world of her mother's affluent best friend—a woman Cassie never knew existed. This new reality is dizzying with its grand mansion, newfound father figure, and a new “brother,” Cody, the family's charming yet egocentric son, whose presence is as unavoidable as his bedroom across the hall.

Broken with grief and struggling to fit in, Cassie encounters an unexpected ally, Mila, a formidable force with a past as layered as her own. Together, they cope with the overwhelming present, and a shared experience no one should have to endure—a nightmare they both thought was over.

This compelling young adult contemporary romance explores the power of friendship, resilience, and love in the face of overwhelming loss. Dive into a world of rich contrasts and relatable hardships, and join Cassie on her heartfelt journey towards acceptance and new beginnings.

Trigger warning: Abusive sexual situations by another student.
Content warning: Teenage drinking, sexual situations, and strong language.