Set in a psychiatric treatment facility for adolescents, Flipside follows a group of teens—each struggling with mental illness, addiction, trauma, and identity—as they form connections that challenge their shame, deepen their understanding of themselves, and help them begin to heal. The novel is told through the alternating perspectives of Nick, Kit, Anna, Julie, and Butchie. Flipside explores themes of recovery, found family, and the messy, nonlinear nature of healing.

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Kit, who opens the book, is a nonbinary teen struggling with substance abuse. Newly transferred to a psychiatric facility after an accidental overdose, Kit is initially wary but soon becomes entangled in a complicated roommate dynamic with Julie, a seemingly vain girl who harbors deep insecurities and an eating disorder. Despite rocky beginnings, Kit opens up. Kit forms an unexpected bond with Anna, a longtime resident with a sarcastic streak and a history of suicidal ideation. The two connect through humor and brutal honesty. Butchie, a hilarious, emotionally sensitive boy who harbors a dark, chaotic home life, is drawn to Kit’s companionship through shared banter.

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Nick is admitted to the psychiatric ward after a public mental breakdown triggered by a breakup. He’s resistant to treatment until his roommate, Luke, models what it means to take therapy seriously and be honest in group. Nick starts to question the pain he’s tried to bury.

Anna reveals her deep inner life to the reader: guarded, darkly funny, and more perceptive than she lets on. She’s been through multiple hospitalizations and is used to people leaving. Through Kit’s friendship, she begins to believe that change might be possible for her, too. She starts telling the truth more openly and even makes amends with Julie, whom she once dismissed as shallow. Her vulnerability increases as her relationship with Kit deepens—even after Kit is discharged.

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After leaving the facility, Kit returns home, trying to stay clean while navigating a complicated family dynamic with their mother, Diana, a woman with her own history of addiction. Diana takes Kit to 12-step meetings, where Kit struggles to feel seen. One meeting ends in a panic attack when Diana’s oversharing triggers Kit’s trauma, and Kit finds pills hidden in their jacket that they had forgotten about, leading Kit into a relapse spiral.

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Meanwhile, Nick is discharged and returns to high school. Re-entry is rocky—he’s wracked with anxiety, has an awkward encounter with his ex, and is insecure without Luke by his side. But a surprise reconnection with Julie, who’s also back in the outside world, offers a new tether. The two begin dating, finding comfort in their shared experience. But when Nick discovers fresh self-harm scars on Julie, he’s shaken. He confides in Luke, who gently reminds him to focus on his healing. 

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Julie, for her part, begins attending EDA meetings, where she unexpectedly reconnects with Kit. She apologizes for her early rudeness, and the two go out for coffee. Her dynamic with Kit transforms into one of mutual respect.

 

Butchie’s father is abusive, and that abuse escalates, causing Butchie to snap—punching his dad to defend his stepmother, then fleeing the house. He meets up with Kit, prompting a cathartic night at a junkyard where they smash objects to release their rage. Kit gives Butchie some strong pills to help his pain from the fight, and when an incident forces Kit to run to the hospital to help their hurt little brother, Kit insists on driving Butchie’s truck, leading to an accident. Butchie is seriously injured. Kit finally understands the repercussions of their drug addiction while terrified for Butchie’s health.

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Back in the facility, Anna prepares for Kit’s visit with a mix of dread and hope. When they finally reunite, it’s awkward, charged, and tender. The two sit, sharing silence and then words. Kit gently expresses their continued care and belief in Anna, and Anna—though scared—lets herself lean into it. It's a turning point for her: she’s still struggling but willing to imagine a future. 

 

Nick, still grappling with the messiness of daily life, gives an emotional speech to his parents about what he needs: support for the slow, awkward healing process. The speech marks a significant step in his recovery and earns a heartfelt response from his family. Julie and Nick make a massive effort to support Kit, Butchie, and Anna by visiting the hospital frequently.

 

Anna finally prepares for her discharge. She walks out into the parking lot to find Kit, Butchie, Julie, and Nick cheering for her like it’s graduation. It’s not a Hollywood ending but honest, soft, and full of possibility.

 

Flipside offers a complex, emotionally rich portrayal of teenage mental health that avoids clichés and quick fixes. Through humor, heartbreak, and hard-won connection, Flipside shows that recovery isn’t a destination—it’s a collective, ongoing act of showing up for each other, even in the dark.