A review by yabetsy
Optimists Die First by Susin Nielsen

4.0

Petula is so much more than a nervous wreck. She has earned every bit of her [hilarious] foibles, as she knows that her little sister's death was her fault. If that could happen on her watch, surely she needs to watch for every possible eventuality? Meeting Jacob only proves that, as he has suffered his own shattering accident. Why doesn't he believe her, and take the same care? Nielsen's latest book provides another cast of absolutely memorable characters, including every member in Petula's art-therapy group, a very long-suffering principal, and both families, who go along with Petula as she navigates her very dangerous world, where every street has cars and construction sites are danger zones.