Julie Seagle, a 19 year old girl from Ohio, travels to Boston to attend Whitney College. This is the first time Julie has ever ventured out into the real world on her own. When Julie arrives in Boston, she learns that the apartment her mother had secured for her through Craisglist is actually a burrito restaurant. Julie has been scammed. Julie's mother, Kate, makes a phone call to the college but receives no help. Students are moving in and there is no room for Julie. Kate calls her old college roommate, Erin Watkins, and asks for help. Erin offers Julie a place to stay while in Boston. Julie is hesitant but feels she has no choice but to accept.
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Erin's son, Matt, picks up Julie at the burrito restaurant and drives her to the Watkins' house. Along the way, Matt tells Julie he is a student at MIT. Matt says the family is happy to have Julie stay with them but warns her about Celeste, his younger sister, to whom he refers to as being “interesting.”
Celeste is a 13 year old girl with the manner of a Victorian woman. Celeste is overly proper, refuses to use contractions, and feels that teenage girl whims are ridiculous. Celeste is an academic and takes pride in her intellect. Unfortunately, Celeste also has a severe anxiety disorder that limits her actions and forces her to maintain a strict routine. The first oddity Julie notices is that Celeste sets a plate at the table for her absentee brother, Finn, who is traveling the world. In Finn's place Celeste poses a large cardboard cutout of his likeness. The cutout is referred to as Flat Finn. No one at the dinner table seems to find this behavior odd. Later Julie learns that Celeste suffers from separation anxiety from Finn and Flat Finn is her way of coping.
Julie goes to her first day at Whitney College where she meets Dana, also a freshman. Julie and Dana become fast friends and are pleased to have some classes together. Little is discussed about Julie's school except to say that psychology is her favorite subject.
Celeste likes Julie right away. Celeste insists that Julie become friends with Finn and Matt on Facebook. Julie introduces herself to Finn. The two begin to correspond regularly. Julie, Matt and Finn often exchange witty messages and non-sequitirs. The more time Julie spends talking to Finn, the more she likes him.
Julie agrees to spend her afternoons watching over Celeste while the girls' parents work and Matt is at school. Julie notices that Celeste has no friends and never wants to go out of the house except when it is absolutely necessary. Julie intends to break that pattern and is finally successful when she convinces Celeste to go to a coffee shop. Celeste only agrees because she is able to take Flat Finn.
Julie asks Matt many questions about Celeste's issues. No one in the family will talk to Julie about Celeste. Matt becomes angry with Julie and tells her to butt out. Celeste is his problem and he will take care of her. Julie notices that Celeste's parents are almost never home, leaving the parenting to 21 year old Matt.
Unable to speak to Matt about Celeste's problems and obsession with Flat Finn, Julie turns to Finn for advice. Julie finds she is falling in love with Finn. Julie begins to ask Finn when he will come home. Finn makes many excuses about being committed elsewhere.
Julie and Matt are at odds more often than not when it comes to Celeste. Julie's influence on Celeste is becoming clearer. Celeste stuns the whole family when she announces that her new friend has invited her to a sleep over. Matt is against the idea. Celeste goes to the sleepover but has a meltdown during the night. Matt blames Julie for trying to change Celeste.
Julie speaks to her psych professor about Celeste. The professor warns Julie to tread lightly and reminds her that she does not have all of the facts. He also informs Julie that she is a fixer and must remember that she may not be able to fix Celeste's problems.
Julie begins to suspect something is off with Matt and Finn. Finally Matt confesses that he has been pretending to be Finn online. Although Matt lied about his identity, he swears that he loves Julie. Matt also tells Julie that the real Finn is dead. He died in a car accident. Celeste witnessed the accident which is why she is so obsessed with pretending Finn is alive.
Julie is furious with Matt and moves out of the house. She maintains her relationship with Celeste, meeting the girl on Monday afternoons. Julie avoids Matt for months.
One afternoon, Celeste invites Julie to a party for Finn. Celeste explains that she knew the real Finn was dead but she couldn't bear to let him go. Now that she is growing up, she realizes that she must let Flat Finn go and try to make it on her own. Celeste and Matt's father asks Julie to come to the party and also asks her to consider Matt's feelings for her, not to cast him out for a stupid mistake.
Julie arrives at Finn's party and reunites with Matt. Julie tells Matt that she was always in love with him but didn't realize it. Celeste interrupts the reunion and tells Julie it is time to go. Celeste has planned a special farewell for Finn. Julie and Celeste take Matt to an airfield. Julie has arranged it so that she, Matt, and Finn can go skydiving as one last hurrah. Celeste is finally able to let go of her past.
Best part of story, including ending:
I liked this story because it dealt with complex family situations while adding a touch of romance.
Best scene in story:
Favorite scene in story: My favorite scene was the one in which Julie and Celeste take Flat Finn to the Java Genius coffee shop for the first time. Julie expects ridicule but the barista says he sees much stranger things in Boston, letting her know it's okay to be different. This offers solace to Celeste.
Opinion about the main character:
The thing I most dislike about Julie is that she becomes so obsessed with Celeste's problems that she ignores her own difficulties as a teen.
