New Yorker Gillian Chang starts her second term at posh SpencerAcademy boarding school in San Francisco prepared to focus on her studies, her faith, and her friends. She plays a dozen musical instruments and can recite the periodic table of the elements backward. She’s totally prepared for everything–except love!
She’s falling hard for Lucas Hayes, who isn’t even a senior yet and is already aiming at a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford. The problem is, she never seems to be able to measure up and be the girlfriend he wants. He’s under a lot of pressure from his parents to achieve–maybe that’s why he’s short-tempered sometimes. But even a thick-skinned girl like Gillian can only take so much.
With her heart on the line, Gillian conceals more and more from her friends. So when she’s accused of selling exam answer sheets, even her girlfriends, Lissa Mansfield and Carly Aragon, wonder if it can be true. Gillian will need the power of honesty–with herself and with Lucas–to show what she’s really made of.
This book was nominated for the 2009 Christy Award. I chose this book for that reason as part of the Christy Award Challenge. As I read the book I found it to be nicely written, well-rounded characters with a lite Christian theme. The girls were in a boarding school and there is a romance brewing between Gillian and Lucas that is pretty standard YA. I wasn’t feeling the hardiness behind the book – what I would be expecting from a book, any book, up for an award.
And that is about the time that in my opinion author Shelley Adina hits a home run in this book with a twist to the plot – so perfectly woven throughout the books happenings that I didn’t see it coming. Shelly takes this book to a higher level and through all my previous thoughts on the book out the door when she blind sides me as the reader, with a topic very important to young girls, abuse.
I am trying hard not to give away too much of the book here yet this is such an important part of my review. When the abuse – not only physical but also verbal is presented I actually had to pause in my reading to consider what I had read – and how it was there, and I hadn’t seen it. And that is where the brilliance of this book comes in. How often do young women go about what they think is a normal relationship and not see it in the correct light? Sometimes it takes a friend to show us the way. And as I write this I am reminded that it is not only the young that can be caught by this … but women of all ages.
Overall, I am impressed, Faith and Friendships flow generously through this well written book.
♥My Amazon Review♥
This book qualifies for the following challenges:
Support Your Local Library reading Challenge
I borrowed this book from out Local Library
* My first library book read in about 20 years
Book Journey 
Oh, I love plot twists…they keep us guessing, don’t they?
Great review!
It was am impressive book Laurel! 🙂
I looked at this cover, read the title, read the beginning of your review and thought, “wow, this is not Sheila’s usual kind of read.” Turns out it might just be a good book for my high-school daughter to read.
Lisa I think your daughter would enjoy this and the message about verbal abuse – I thought that was huge and still find myself thinking how important that is. Especially at a vulnerable age like high schools years.
This sounds like an interesting book. From your description, the book reminds me of a book by Marian Keyes that I read in which you follow along with the main character, not realizing until half way through that she is addicted to drugs, because the girl herself doesn’t admit it to herself, so the reader is blindsides by the realization, as the same time that the central character realizes it herself..
Great review!
That sounds like a wonderful read Simcha. I am going to have to look for that one.
Your first library read in 20 years? Go Sheila! And I hope it won’t be your last. 🙂
Sad right Alexia? 🙂 I have not a library card for that long and just recently jumped back on that band wagon. It wont be my last – I should have another library review tomorrow too 🙂
I love books that have twists in them. I’m so glad you joined the library challenge!! I love my library!
I am loving mine too Vicki. I am so impressed by it. There was a book I wanted to read and they couldnt find it so they emailed me to let me know they were going to purchase it for the library and I would be the first to read it. WOW.
Boy, I know you weren’t trying to give much away, but it sure sounds like a powerful read. I’ll have to add it to the ever-growing to-read list!
Julie H – this is really one of those books that I want to share so much more but half the beauty of this book is the angle it takes and catches you by surprise. I dont want to ruin that. 🙂
Sounds great and I love that twist. I have a few teens in mind for this one!
Staci it has my recommendation! A good read!
I’m feeling kind of dumb after hearing all the things these girls and boys are achieving in their school! Love the cover by the way … and I’m sure it would attract quite a few girls who might not even know what a Christy is.
Jenners you are right – this is a good YA book that girls dont even have to know about the Christy or what is stands for and they will enjoy this book.
Great review – I’ve been thinking about adding this series to my library’s teen Christian fiction collection.
Kristi I would recommend it – they are light, fresh and fun – perfect reading for that group!
Sheila, thanks so much for the terrific review–you got exactly what I was trying to do with the book! The Lucas character was based on a real person, and the abuse was just as insidious in that situation. How many savvy, smart women and girls don’t see it when it’s there … it was something I just had to write about.
I’m glad you enjoyed the book 🙂
Shelley Adina
Thank you Shelley for stopping in – and writing this incredible book. It is funny how I just didn’t pick up on it at first in Lucas’ character…. it wasn’t until after Gillian’s friends stepped in that I was like – wow…. if I missed that, how many times in real life do girls miss the different between anger and abuse. Great book Shelley!
I will definitely have to check out this book. We have a large christian fiction reading YA patronage. In addition to that, abuse is a big problem in this area. The mind set is way behind the times. Submission, abuse, senior boys dating 7th grade girls, a high teen pregnancy rate, all are way too common. Thanks for mentioning this book.
Pat thi sis one that I think would jit home for a lot of YA girls.