Heather Duffy Stone’s debut novel features the points of view of soon-to-be 16-year-olds Nadio and Noelle as they each fall in love. Changing and deep feelings are explored in a way that many readers will be able to understand as each twin fights confusion and extreme highs and lows on their heart journeys.

Keeley Shipley is Noelle’s best friend, and they assumed that would always be the case. When Keeley goes away for the summer to study in England, the girls promise to write and call frequently, despite the time difference. Nadio and Noelle are so used to having Keeley around that they are not quite sure what to do with themselves. Nadio volunteers at the food pantry and writes letters to his absentee father, who left their mother when she was pregnant. He has no other males to confide in, until Bob at the food pantry begins talking to him and encouraging him to think about his future. Nadio has always been smart, so Bob suggests he apply for a Model UN scholarship and more.

Noelle starts hanging out more frequently with Jessica, another friend who moves with a faster crowd, and never quite finds the time to write Keeley. It’s at a party with Jessica that she meets Parker, a 20-year-old intense cook who has his own apartment. She begins sneaking away to spend more and more time with him. On the night Keeley is due to return from England, Noelle chooses instead to go out with her newer friends --- which marks the beginning of a big frost between the girls. Keeley now finds Nadio to talk to and hang out with, and those feelings turn to something more. Neither Nadio nor Keeley can find a way to tell Noelle that they’re falling in love, but she seems so wrapped up in this Parker they’ve never met that they can’t find the time to do it either.

Nadio feels so intensely about Keeley, and while Keeley also does, something happens to her in England that may keep her from being in a serious relationship right now. As they work that out, they worry more about Noelle, who they rarely see. Parker wants more from Noelle than she is ready to give; Noelle, however, doesn’t want him losing interest in her, so she agrees that it’s time. But then Noelle sees Nadio with Keeley, and things with Parker begin to change. Suddenly, she finds it difficult to go on.

Changing friendships can be as confusing as new relationships, and all need communication to go on. THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU effectively shows how love and respect are important in all types of relationships. The alternating points of view make this an interesting book with relatable emotions on every page.