Upon first getting into this novel, I thought it a bit slow and maybe repetitive. Then I decided it was part of the world building to stress how people can get caught in a loop of low self-esteem and depression. Suggestions by others can show they care but only the person him/herself can decide to make the decision to move forward to a more productive life. Eliot (Scorp) came with a lot more baggage based on his dangerous and violent upbringing than Quinn (Sprinkles), his neighbor. Eliot had been made aware of people and programs that he might take advantage of to break his past cycles but figured he didn’t really need them. Eliot was able to rescue his much younger sister, Raine, from their biological mother who was a sociopath, sex worker and drug addict. Quinn worked from home and made an immediate judgement call on Eliot based on his numerous tattoos and mannerisms. Because of Raine, they are brought together and given chances to learn about each other and more insight into their own demons. More surprises are revealed throughout the story but it is a pretty much real life telling of what folks experience, endure and hopefully overcome. ( )