I've been reading the Hollywood Lights series for a while, and I also read the prequel novella (How to Stay), so I'm well immersed in this universe, and this is not my first time meeting Miranda George. While you certainly could read this story on its own and enjoy it, you'll miss out on a lot of depth if you don't read the other Hollywood Lights stories (and especially "How to Stay") first.Don't let the cover of this book fool you. If you see that pretty woman in the bright yellow dress and expect you'll find a book about a strong brilliant woman full of poise and self confidence, you won't be wrong, but you won't be right either--especially if you're expecting her to be a bubbly, charming cheerleader type. Miranda George is strong and brilliant, but her poise and self-confidence are more like weapons and armor she uses to push people away. At times it might seem she's pushing her readers away, too, because, I'll be honest, Miranda George is not always a likable character. She's intractable, and not interested in living her life to please others (although it took her suffering quite a bit of tragedy for her adopt that philosophy). If she were a real person, she'd tell you she doesn't care if you like her or not. But here's the truth: she's lying. She cares very much, but she's so, so afraid of hurting those she cares for that she'd rather push them away rather than risk harming them.Why should she feel that way? Because Miranda has BPD--Bi-Polar Disorder--and she's seen the potential harm and damage that disorder can bring to a family because she witnessed it first hand with her mother, whose BPD never received proper treatment. Miranda is terrified of following her mother's path through life, and she's willing to take drastic steps to make sure that never happens. Thankfully, this book is not about Miranda repeating the sins of her family's past, but of finding hope, forgiveness, joy, and love where she wasn't sure those things were possible. This book is ultimately about redemption and possibility. I loved it.Katie Rose Guest Pryal has established a strong platform of writing women with emotional and mental disabilities, and she speaks from of place of expertise. If you're interested in reading female characters who are presented realistically, not merely polished up and ready for romance, but finding love while managing real world flaws, foibles, and disabilities, Ms. Pryal's books are definitely for you.