Short Synopsis
From the author of 100 Sideways Miles comes his witty second novel in the Winger series.

Full Synopsis
It's his last year at Pine Mountain, and Ryan Dean should be focused on his future, but instead, he's haunted by his past. His rugby coach expects him to fill the roles once played by his lost friend, Joey, as the rugby team's stand-off and new captain. And somehow he's stuck rooming with twelve-year-old freshman Sam Abernathy, a cooking whiz with extreme claustrophobia and a serious crush on Annie Altman—aka Ryan Dean's girlfriend, for now, anyway.

Equally distressing, Ryan Dean's doodles and drawings don't offer the relief they used to. He's convinced N.A.T.E. (the Next Accidental Terrible Experience) is lurking around every corner—and then he runs into Joey's younger brother Nico, who makes Ryan Dean feel paranoid that he's avoiding him. Will Ryan Dean ever regain his sanity?

"A brave, wickedly funny novel about grief and finding a way to live with it…" ---Kirkus Starred Review

"Smith capably expands on Ryan Dean's coming-of-age and path to emotional recovery, chronicled through his crude comics and growing maturity." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Smith has created a consistently interesting character whose singular sense of humor grows on readers." ---Booklist

Kirkus Review

Publishers Weekly Review