Description

Gorgeous wealthy and entitled Ruby has just one single worry in her lifescheming toget the boy next door to finally realize theyre meant to be together But when the California wildfires cause her privileged world to go up in flames Ruby must struggle to find the grit and compassion to help her family and those less fortunate torise from the ashes

At eighteen Ruby Ortega is an unapologetic flirt who balances her natural aptitude for economics with her skill in partying hard But she couldnt care less about those messy college boysits her intense brooding neighbor Ashton who she wants and even followed to school Even the fact that he has a girlfriend doesnt deter her whatever Ruby wants she eventually gets

Her ruthless determination is tested when wildfires devastate her California hometown destroying her parents business and causing an unspeakable tragedy that shatters her to her core Suddenly Ruby is the head of the family and responsible for its survival with no income or experience to rely on Rebuilding seems hopeless but with the help of unexpected alliesincluding a beguiling darkeyed boy who seems to understand her better than anyoneRuby has to try When she discovers that the fires also displaced many undocumented people in her town it becomes even more imperative to help And if she has to make hard choices along the way can anyone blame her

In her powerful debut novel Mexican American author Hailey Alcaraz chronicles a riveting portrait of transformation resilience and love with an unlikely heroine who when faced with unforeseen disaster surprises everyone especially herself