Charlie Barren has suffered as much as any introverted, science-minded boy can while resisting conformity to the social norms of high school, much to his understanding parent's dismay. No party crashing, skipping class, driving without a license, or hanging out on rooftops. And no crushing on his little sister's friends - and then he meets Venus Moon.

The world he knew as sure as the tide rolls in gets flipped upside down. Charlie's intentions on going to college to become a marine biologist and study ocean life remain; but he's also a guy adrift in a sea of new emotions that threaten to drown him whenever Venus is near. Will she be the anchor that secures him or a cinderblock that drags him under?

Charlie knows plenty about ecosystems and classifications, but there's no instruction manual on falling for a girl.