Where the Heart Is by Jo Knowles

It’s the first day of summer and Rachel’s thirteenth birthday. She can’t wait to head to the lake with her best friend, Micah! But as summer unfolds, every day seems to get more complicated. Her “fun” new job taking care of the neighbors’ farm animals quickly becomes a challenge, whether she’s being pecked by chickens or having to dodge a charging pig at feeding time. At home, her parents are more worried about money than usual, and their arguments over bills intensify. Fortunately, Rachel can count on Micah to help her cope with all the stress. But Micah seems to want their relationship to go beyond friendship, and though Rachel almost wishes for that, too, she can’t force herself to feel “that way” about him. In fact, she isn’t sure she can feel that way about any boy — or what that means. 

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It's hard to be thirteen. Rachel is trying hard to enjoy her summer, but she knows that her parents are struggling to make ends meet, and her best friend, Micah, is being weird. He wants them to be more than friends, but Rachel doesn't feel that way about Micah ... maybe not that way about any of the boys she knows. She just wants everything to be the way it was (not perfect, but comfortable), but nothing stays the same. 

Instead, a wealthy couple moves in next door, and Rachel begins taking care of their farm animals part-time. She also finds herself taking more responsibility of her little sister, Ivy, shielding her from their parents' arguments and deepening financial difficulties. 

I really liked this book. I've been impressed with Knowles' books in the past, and this did not disappoint! All of the characters are well developed, and you can't help feeling for everyone, even characters who temporarily behave in jerkish, human ways. This family's predicament made me stressed it, it was so realistic and well-rendered. And I loved both Rachel and Ivy. I really want there to be a second book! 

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.