Two dysfunctional families, each with a teenager steeped in secrets and lies: Mike, living with his grandparents and desperately hoping that no one in his new school will learn that his mother is in prison for the manslaughter of his father; Gemma, who has been told her mum is dead, but learns that she left the family years ago. Both are damaged, Mike because he believes himself to be all too visible and because he has a dark secret about what actually happened to his dad, and Gemma because she feels invisible to her father and her schoolmates. This is a sophisticated novel with deep layers in the characterisation. Gemma bullies Mike, blackmails him in thoroughly unpleasant ways, and they both come to a point where life seems intolerable. They do, however, end up saving each other and acknowledging their deeply held secrets. The format, every other chapter written from either Mike or Gemma's viewpoint, interleaves their personalities highly believably. We like them both and are relieved when they begin to grow up and take responsibility for their own actions. Outstanding.