"With accessible prose and authentic voice, Khristina Chess weaves together twin catastrophes with empathy and realism." —Kim Cross, author of What Stands in a Storm

The worst part about the tornado isn’t the car on Savannah Young’s roof. It’s not her missing mom or her missing cat. It’s not the news that the power might not be restored for ten days or the fact that she’s stranded with the neighbors.

She’s out of pain pills. And she doesn’t have any way to reach Toby to get more.

And when withdrawal sets in, she’s going to get very, very sick.

As residents in Savannah’s subdivision come together in the aftermath of this historic severe weather event, Savannah wrestles with her opioid addiction, her grief for surviving the car crash that killed her brother, and her guilt for being The One Who Survived—twice.

Falling in love with the boy next door has never happened under quite such stormy conditions.

Inspired by the Super Outbreak of tornados on April 27, 2011, this “opposite attracts” story of love, loss, and recovery will appeal to fans of The Sky Is Everywhere and Heroine.

Severe Weather in Alabama and Opioids: Unusual Inspiration for YA Books

Cover illustration by Ramona Marinescu

Reviews (See All Amazon Reviews)

“The author conveys the difficult subjects of grief and addiction with sensitivity and depth. She brings us right into the narrator’s head with writing that leaps off the page.” - By Joelle Tamraz

“This book addresses this tough reality, but it also has just the right amount of humor, romance and suspense.” By Happy Camper

“This one had grit from the pain of a devastating loss and it’s lingering effects. It gives amazing insight to what people are thinking when they’re dependent on narcotics and as to why that dependency came about, but also contains hope for breaking that cycle.” By Tara

"This story is quite an interesting look at a difficult set of circumstances in which romance is able to appear." - Judge, Self-Published Book Awards 2021

"Though the tale is told from a young adult's point of view, readers of any age will also be able to empathize and possibly learn a few lessons from the innermost thoughts of an addict." - In'Dtale 5-Star Review in InD’tale Magazine (Full Magazine View - Page 92)