Set in the troubled, mob-ridden town of Belmont, the story begins with high school senior Finley, a white Irish boy from a broken family, whose two main loves are his girlfriend, Erin, and his basketball team. Finley dreams of leaving Belmont, of starting a better life – of an escape.

Then Russ arrives. Russ, a former basketball phenomenon, has just lost both his parents to a brutal murder. Seemingly driven insane by the tragedy, Russ only answers to Boy21, and insists he is from outer space, an alien sent to earth. Finley, as a favour to his basketball coach, befriends Russ, and as their relationship grows, discovers that Russ may be the friend he has been looking for. For Russ, Finley is at first a confidant, a trusted "Earthling" who knows of Russ's plans to journey back to the cosmos, but soon becomes Russ's real friend, to whom he can reveal his true self, and his painful past.

I have to admit, I didn't think I would enjoy this book. It got off to a slow start, and I initially didn't enjoy Quick's writing style, which is slow and methodical. However, as I kept reading, I grew to love the characters, especially Russ. Quick is brilliant at writing in the voice of troubled teenagers, especially those who are different, and showing them grow throughout the story. This is the type of book that sneaks up on you, and breaks your heart slowly and painfully. I won't tell you how it ends, but it'll leave you wanting to laugh and cry, and missing the characters after you've finished the last page.

I'd strongly recommend this to anyone who likes a bit of heartbreak, and an odd story with quirky, different, characters. Also, to those who have read any of Quick's other books, such as The Silver Linings Playbook, or Sorta Like a Rock Star. This is an excellent addition to his many commendable novels.

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