I loved every character in the book (except the mean ones). I loved the story line. I loved the romance. I loved this book! Of course, after the book club, I may change my mind. But I did really like it.
So, Dill, Travis, and Lydia are the social outcasts in their school. But they are close, best friends, and will look out for each other when things get tough. Which they do.
Lydia comes from a great home of two supportive, loving parents who are financial stable. She is a nationally famous blogger about fashion and has plans to get out of the small town to do journalism.
Travis's mom is great, but his dad is often drunk, and therefore does not have a filter when comparing him to his brother who did not make it out of Afghanistan. And to make matters worse, he is obsessed with a fantasy book (think Game of Thrones) that influences his dress and mannerisms.
And Dill. Poor Dill. His father is in jail for underage porn on his computer. While that's bad, what's worse is that dad is the famous preacher that handles vipers and rattlesnakes and drinks snake poison to prove their faith in God. His mom is fully supportive of the dad despite the fact that they are now dirt poor and shamed at most places they go.
It's the last year of high school. Lydia is urging the boys to leave town and to move to Nashville or wherever to start a new life. Dill is trying to cope with his crush on Lydia, and Travis is that gentle giant that just wants to do his own thing and find love. Seems like a simple plot, but I cried- full on cried.