A review by kellyhager
The Truth About Us by Janet Gurtler

5.0

I haven't read very many books by Janet Gurtler, which is both good (I have a backlist to read! YAY!) and bad (How have I not read them all by now? WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?) This book is insanely fun and sweet, but it's also a lot deeper than I was expecting it to be.

I love books like that, where you're expecting something sweet and fun, but then it turns out to be that but also amazing and just GOOD.

I love Jess, even though she was breaking my heart. It's obvious that whatever happened to her family (we do learn what it is, although it takes a long time) is absolutely killing her and she's dealing with it in the worst way possible (drinking, partying, questionable decisions). This ultimately culminates with a punishment of having to volunteer at the shelter which, of course, ends up being almost like a present.

I absolutely love the shelter people too, especially Wilf (who becomes her friend and surrogate grandpa) and obviously Flynn and his brother, Alex.

This book is wonderful and is guaranteed to make you smile at least 10 times and probably make you cry at least twice.

Highly recommended.