a novella of this kind is what i’ve been looking for for quite some time. it’s fun, engaging & doesn’t take itself too seriously. i really enjoyed the party sandwich aspect of the structure, giving us space & time as readers to watch the characters in different settings, along with  reaching into the lively atmospheres. the two protagonists as sisters was, in my opinion, a brilliant way of introducing key dynamics into the story, showcasing the differences & familial similarities between their choices & how they each individually interacted with the people they encountered as well as the problems they met. furthermore, letting us engage with the rest of the family was interesting as it exposed their relationships with other members of the community in a less casual setting. the characters we met most of the time were likeminded people of the same age with similar intentions, but introducing family members shown a light on how much we as people change when surrounded by different people. although i enjoyed many aspects of the book, i felt that this novella was too short to properly explore the characters & the intricacies of their lives or Hadley didn’t choose to prioritise what the story truly needed. still a fun read that you can either relate to, or look upon fondly with a gaze of nostalgia.