Everyone in fifteen year old Bella’s life needs something from her. Her mom needs her to help more around the house, her dad needs her to not make waves, her ex needs her to not be so much. The only person who never needed anything from her was her grandmother, and now she’s dead.

There’s only one thing that eases her pain is alcohol. She doesn’t believe its a problem for her tho because she can “stop whenever she wants.” But her drinking is beginning to cause problems in school, and to her friends, as her behavior becomes more irregular. She’s already lost her boyfriend, and his words “too much” are practically tattooed on her brain. She’s getting addicted she feels as if this is her only option and has no self awareness of the toll its taking on her life.

Bella goes to rehab.The fallout terrifies her friends, family and even her ex, and Bella is forcefully put on a path of recovery. She meets others who have been where she is, and she begins to find her way back to her past self. But it’s incredibly difficult, painful and a path that must include putting herself first, before her parents, her teachers and even a possible new love.

It never dawns on her that it’s possible to be an alcoholic at only 15, but the more that goes wrong, the more she has to drown with alcohol to keep sane.

After reading The Glass Girl , I can confidently say that it’s a beautifully crafted and emotional story that can resonate on a deep level for many. The raw portrayal of grief, loss, and the complex ways people deal with trauma really struck me. Bella’s journey from isolation to healing felt incredibly real and relatable, and it made me reflect on my own experiences with loss and how personal growth is often intertwined with pain.