First the superlative out of all that is less but more, WOW! The title completely captured me, before I even read the email stating your new novel, Beautiful Graves, was about to be released. I read more of the mail, I didn't wish to know anything about the book, I knew the title and I knew your writing, all I needed was the release. You, Ms. Shen, did not disappoint. This is the second novel of yours that had me crying, laughing, yelling - life is so unfair, and finally realizing for everything we go through that is, "bad, unhappy, joyless,..", we receive extra good, joyousness, life filled with so many moments we wish we could do again and again. You totally illustrated the reality of the smallness of our world, and six degrees of separation. But mostly, you took us on an emotional journey that began with two teens random meeting thousands of miles away from their homes, to a heartfelt journey of insecurities, laps of judgement, hatred of self, and finally growing into their truth. Ever was a stunning main character that doesn't truly grow up until she's almost twenty-five. Through her eyes and emotions we understand why this cheeky 18 stops living and starts existing, and even compares herself to a famous woman from Salem Witch trials and her wish for death, and how she plans to carry it out. But, ironically life gets in the way of thoughts of doom... And yet, life doesn't simply get in the way, it flips Ever and everything she is doing out of control. Ever's morals never let her consider otherwise, and this dilemma pretty much defines her life this far... Joe, her dilemma, also the boy she lived in angst for, for years, returns in the most shocking way. Joe is Blindsided, he kept trying to keep her, but after years he learns to move forward, and then there is Ever being introduced to him. Why? This is the most realistic novel of love, death, life, and most of all, hope. You completely out did yourself, Ms. Shen! I am still reeling!