Head on Backwards, Chest Full of Sand: A Coming-of-Age Novel (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781069019509)

Seventeen-year-old Livvy is determined that the summer of 1978 will be different. This is the summer that she will prove her independence, not only to her family and her elusive boyfriend, Kane-but to herself.

Escaping Ontario for the wild, rugged landscape of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Livvy discovers that not even the loving closeness of her eccentric Aunt Donna can hide the fact that she has journeyed to a different world.

While she yearns for Kane's affections, and sends heartfelt letters to entice him to follow her to the island, a deeper, more bewildering longing surfaces within Livvy.

Swept away on a breathtaking journey of self-discovery, Livvy leans into the tight-knit community to help navigate the unfamiliar territory and her inner turmoil.

Before summer ends, she must find the strength to confront her worst fears and insecurities. But will her newfound independence mean she's still worthy of love?