Thirteen-year-old twins Noah and Jude are so close, they “smush,” pushing themselves together, shoulder to shoulder, exactly as they did in utero. Noah is dreamy and artistic, while his sister Jude is fearless and popular. When their mother announces that both twins should attend CSA, a nearby fine arts high school, Noah is elated, but Jude is less than enthusiastic, as she fears that Noah’s talent far outweighs her own. Three years later, Jude is now attending CSA, but Noah was not accepted. The once-fierce love between the twins has morphed into fierce hatred.
The narration alternates between the perspectives of 13-year-old Noah and 16-year-old Jude, and the twins unwittingly move in tandem despite their estrangement. They both do something unforgivable. They both fall in love. Nelson provides just enough pieces of past and future but withholds some delightful twists for the end. This is a beautifully written story.
This article was originally published in the September 2014 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
