1) I love how much exposition we get in the first paragraph. More importantly, I love how gracefully the author releases the information. We learn immediately where Lane is, where she is from, and what she is like. (And more.)
2) There are some lovely sentences here, too. I love “Out there…way out there, but not to far, where the sky merged with the sea, was the Pacific.” It has just the right amount of poetic “awkwardness.”
3) I love how the author uses the protagonist’s contrast with her best friend to release exposition and add characterization. Lane did not grow up with privilege, we learn, and is desperate to build the life she desires. The latter is a great quality in a protagonist.
Check out the author’s web site and read her book!
