This Golden State is the first book that I have read by Marit Weisenberg, and now I want to read every single one of her books – that’s how much I loved this book. Young Adult books are such a guilty pleasure of mine; they are always easy to read, have a well-developed story line, and there is always a lot under the surface. I 100% percent purchased this book because the cover is just so beautiful with an equal beautiful story hidden behind the opening.
This Golden State centers around the Winslow family who lives their lives based on five vital rules:
1. No one can know your real name
2. Don’t stay in one place too long
3. If you sense anything is wrong, go immediately to the meeting spot.
4. Keeping out family together is everything
5. We wish we could tell you who we are, but we can’t
Poppy and her younger sister don’t know exactly why or what their family has been running from their entire life, but they are very aware of the consequences if they were to ever be found out. With each passing year Poppy’s desire for friends and a future for herself grows stronger and stronger, and with her eighteenth birthday quickly approaching Poppy starts to question what the plan is for her as an individual.
Their most recent move to California starts to expose cracks and clues into who Poppy’s parents are and what they are running from. More determined than ever, Poppy takes a at home, mail-in DNA test. Just when Poppy starts to thrive in her new math classes and has even meet a special someone who turn into her boyfriend, the results of the test bring her back down to earth and her reality.
Through the DNA test Poppy is able to uncover her parents’ true identities, but unfortunately realizes a little too late that the DNA test has undone decades of the carful work her family has done to conceal their true identities. Poppy wants to keep her family safe, but also wants to find her own place in the world, and works towards a solution that will hopefully make everyone happy.
This is one of those books that is so hard to put down. Cannot recommend “This Golden State” enough!