This Golden State

More about the book

Marit Weisenberg's novel follows a family on the run, focusing on Poppy, a restless teenage daughter eager for the truth behind their secretive existence. The Winslow family adheres to five strict principles that dictate their lives, including the necessity of anonymity and constant movement. Poppy has grown up without understanding why they flee, but she senses the severe consequences of being discovered. As she matures, her longing for genuine friendships and stability intensifies, leading to frustration with their transient lifestyle. When a move to California reveals vulnerabilities in her parents' careful planning, Poppy's curiosity peaks. She decides to send in a home DNA test, hoping to uncover the truth. As she begins to adapt to her new environment and connects with a classmate, the arrival of the test results shatters her fragile reality. The revelations about her parents’ true identities threaten to dismantle the life they've built, bringing the dangers of their past to the forefront. Faced with the dilemma of loyalty to her family versus her own desires, Poppy grapples with the question of how much she owes them and whether seeking her own identity is an act of betrayal.