Poppy doesn’t know why her family has spent her entire life on the run—or even where they’re from. She can recognize the subtle clues that her family is ready to flee to another location, another life, and another identity.
Now, Poppy, her mom, dad, and younger sister are on their way to a new location, but there are subtle differences this time. Although they won’t say where they are heading this time, her mother is determined, resolute, and her father is reluctant. Poppy is surprised when the family arrives in the one place she’s always wanted to go—and the one place her parents always refused: California.
With a new opportunity to take part in an advanced Math summer program Poppy has the chance to get out of the house and have some new experiences. Temptation proves too much though when a vendor sets out genetic testing kits for the genetics class. Before she realizes it, Poppy has snagged a kit, spit in it, and sealed it. Can she bring herself to send it out? And what will she discover about her family and herself?
In addition to that, she also finds herself drawn to a boy in her math class, someone who’s very presence in her life could prove to be a risk to her family.
This Golden State is a fantastic exploration of how hard it is to find yourself when you don’t know who you really are. What an interesting journey through the very real teenage struggles of wanting to be loyal to your family while yearning to establish your own identity. Marit Weisenberg has crafted a deeply engrossing and emotional novel that I didn’t want to put down. I highly recommend this one!
This Golden State will be released March 1, 2022.
*I received an ARC of This Golden State from Netgalley and Flatiron Books in exchange for an honest review*