Compelling YA series

Dare you to
by Katie McGarry
Harlequin, May 2013

I would have said that I don't "do" YA fiction that develops through flawed characters and dysfunctional families. Yes, I like my fiction entertaining and peaceful.

But McGarry's new series (book 1, Pushing the limits, this book 2, and coming soon, book 3, Crash into you) is changing all that. Abiding love, strong and faithful relationships and support -- I'll try dysfunctional, and love it!

What's different about this book
Beth is a flawed heroine, the victim of believing herself to be responsible for the adult in her family. She learns to love herself; she also comes to believe that others can love her as well. The development of Beth's character from the first book through this one is compelling and heart-warming. Somebody loves her and she comes to believe "happy" is possible.

Cover art to the contrary, the books in this series treat teen sexual relationships with respect, and promiscuity is not idealized. Strong values and high ethical standards prevail. Gotta love that. (I will quickly admit that the cover designs for the first two books in the series both hooked me in -- and made me cautious. But we do judge a book by its cover, and the writing inside justified the high expectations of the cover.)

What I'll do now that I've read it
I began by immediately putting this book on my pre-order list for my school libraries. I have also book-talked it three times in the last 20 hours (since I finished it). My only regret is that I don't have 5 print copies to immediately hand to my avid YA romance / real life readers.

 I will also fight those fellow readers to be the first to read the new releases:  I love the way one books completes the story of the previous title in the series by having those same characters show up again, in their resolved situations, to inform the following story. Great stuff.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Campus life and love

True

by Erin McCarthy
PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW

May 2013

Fucking awesome!

If reading that bothers you as much as it bothers me to write it, then you may want to pause before committing to this book. There are prevalent crude language, references, and situations.

That said, though, this is an awesome story -- just not one I'm comfortable recommending to readers who prefer less offensive language and less graphic relationships.

McCarthy's characters and their relationships pull you in to the story. It's a strong example of friendships and family supporting each other.  And the meaning of the title of the book just makes it all the better -- best fun story I've read in a while!

I seldom am able or WANT to read a book in one sitting, but I did this -- and it was well worth my time.  Great, endearing read and a very satisfying (if implausible) ending.  As a parent I wanted to tell the kids to wait, and re-think. But as a reader identifying with the protagonists, I was happily smiling when the book came to an end.

What's different about this book

It is SUCH a feel-good read. The guy is strong and true; the girl is honest and intelligent. Great relationship.

I'm definitely reconsidering my understanding of what college and university life looks like today. I don't want to think the scenes in this book are typical. Rather I suspect this book exaggerates reality in many ways -- but probably comes closer than I would have expected. I enjoyed the reading; just don't want to think this is normal.

What I'll do now that I've read the book  

I'm not comfortable recommending this to any of my library environments. It's a great read, but the language and graphic view of life itself puts it beyond conventional materials that a professional librarian can share with others.  Even for my peers, I would hesitate to recommend it based on the raunchy language. But it's a great read.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *