When her father returns home from the war in Afghanistan with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD, sixteen-year-old Merci's world turns upside down. She tries everything in her power to rescue him from his nightmares and his self-destructive behavior. As she struggles to restore the loving relationship she once had with him, she longs for a normal life, a future as an artist, and to fall in love. Merci must face her deepest fears in order to rescue her dad and ultimately herself. Will she be able to pull her father out of his private hell, or will he drag her down with him? In her quest to rescue him, Merci must also learn to how to save herself.

Independent Book review: This novel's real beauty lies in Stricklin's ability to respectfully and carefully include sensitive subjects, including PTSD, alcoholism … "and" attempted suicide. Allowing readers to confront these hard emotions can bring a cathartic release. Delicately balanced and beautifully written, this is a novel about tragedies active-duty military families face and the potential for survival and healing.