And by the Way …

The story follows a young girl named Alex who is dealing with deep, unresolved grief after losing her mother to cancer and feeling abandoned by her rockstar father, who throws himself entirely into his work. To guard her heart from experiencing further pain, Alex builds emotional walls and completely cuts herself off from meaningful relationships, earning the school nickname “Ice Queen”. However, her life begins to shift due to the persistence of her loyal friend Rachel and the unexpected attention of an attractive classmate, David McFadden, who wants to help her break down her defenses. Set against a gritty Dublin backdrop, the book is a sharp, emotional exploration of first love, coping with loss, and the vulnerability required to let people back into your life.