Marissa tells lies. To herself, about the fact that her brother abandoned her. To her grandmother, when she says "everything's fine." To the world when she pretends her mother is at home or working late. When she doesn't tell them her mother is dead. She doesn't even question the wisdom of living in a world built on lies anymore-until she meets Brandon. Unlike Marissa, Brandon faces his grief head-on. As their relationship sweetens, Marissa realizes the value of letting someone in and not letting her grief destroy her. But when her past filled with denial catches up with her, Marissa is forced to tell Brandon her darkest secrets, or risk losing him. The only thing harder than lying about her life? Facing it.