Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

From the hardcover edition:
Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.

So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?

Edgy and gripping, Please Ignore Vera Dietz is an unforgettable novel: smart, funny, dramatic, and always surprising.

From Misty:
I don't think anyone I know would like this book, due mainly to the horrible language throughout. But as far as characterizations, character development and growth, vivid and inspiring writing that evoked my emotions, intelligent humor, and interesting plot that kept my attention for eight uninterupted hours--all the things I look for in a novel--I just have to give it five stars.

Vera was real. Charlie was endearing in some ways and repulsive in others. King presents him in the way that Vera has always seen him, as a person with potential and kindess, but you get this other picture, too, of how others must see him and of how he learns to see himself, as a punk kid who is going nowhere and will never be good enough for someone like Vera.

Skillfully written through a series of flashbacks, Please Ignore Vera Dietz explores the nuances of an unlikely friendship. It so easily could have turned into more than a friendship that you almost get the impression Charlie's involvment with the wrong crowd he finds himself in is purposeful and his death is a valiant effort to keep Vera from wasting her life on him.

Though not exactly a sunshiny read, Vera overcomes her fear, comes to terms with Charlie's death, and the book ends on a note of hope. Definitely recommend, but reader discretion is advised.