Author: Julie Anne Peters
What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): When Alyssa is caught in a compromising position with her girlfriend, Alyssa's father kicks her out and sends her to live with her mother who abandoned her when she was young. Alyssa makes a new life for herself, in spite of looking just like her mother, who has a terrible reputation and many secrets.
What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I felt so very sorry for Alyssa in this book. Her dad is a bigoted jerk, her stepmother is a wimp, her half-brother is confused, her best friend and her girlfriend have both betrayed her, her mom is self-absorbed, and the new town is judgmental. Alyssa can't go anywhere without the townspeople giving her mean looks and whispering about her being
"Carly's girl." I was also scared that Alyssa would do something reckless--she was already emotionally vulnerable and pretty immature (in my opinion), as most humans are at age seventeen.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by Alyssa's character development. She faces her haters and gets a job in the local diner. She makes a friend and starts a romantic relationship with Finn, a fellow waitress. Alyssa finds out her mother's secrets and realizes that she (Alyssa) is also guilty of assuming rumors about people are true.
I was disappointed that Alyssa's parents do not seem to grow and change, but Alyssa finds a whole new set of family figures in her new town. There are no big apologies from friends or family members towards Alyssa (which she DESERVES), but that makes the ending seem realistic. I was actually satisfied at the end of the book that Alyssa would be okay.
This book is on the 2012 Rainbow Book List.
My final takeaway: Alyssa's character is admirable. She manages to mature in spite of her terrible adult role models. This makes it worth reading.
My favorite quotes: [coming soon when I re-check the book out from the library.]
Other reviews: Everything Alyce and The Lesbrary
This book is available in the Greensboro Public Library.
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