Where I got it: From Publisher for review
Genre:Young Adult
Publication Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: MT Books
Page Count: 278 p.
Alyssa is forced to Colorado to live with her mother, a person she barely knows, because her dad finds out that Alyssa is a lesbian. This is almost fine with Alyssa, because things with her girlfriend, and best friends sort of went south and ended poorly. She figures here she can at least start fresh, but everyone refers to her as "Carly's girl". Alyssa doesn't want to be known as her mother's shadow but she isn't strong enough to pave a way for herself. When she meets a girl named Finn while she's out looking for a job, things start to change for Alyssa. She doesn't want to have feelings for everyone, especially if everything will just end badly and hurt all over again. On top of all this she is struggling to uncover her mother's hidden past to see why she was gone all those years.
This was an interesting family drama, about a girl who accidentally comes out to her father (who seems the only person who hadn't already caught on) and how it ends with her being shipped off. It's unfortunate that her father doesn't accept her, maybe it's just the way he found out. Either way it's good to have the perspective of someone that was not accepted by their family. I really loved Arlo from the restaurant. He seemed accepting but sassy (can men be sassy?) and I really enjoyed his commentary throughout the novel. I really enjoy it when you find out what happened to land the main character where they are through short memories scattered throughout the book. It's better than just having it all spilled out. There are secrets and twists and turns and things that keep you wondering. Not only did we have to learn what was in Alyssa's past, but we also got to dive into her mother, Carly's, past. This novel is in the same vein as Julie Anne Peter's other novels, not only about relationships for lesbians, but all the repercussions that surround them—either from being gay, or simply from life itself. Alyssa was left to her own devices much of the time as Carly kept weird hours, and stripped at night. This allowed Alyssa to hang out with Finn, but this is the thing that causes her the most grief. After how bad she got burned in her last relationship, Alyssa doesn't know how to move on really. The mountain air does her good though. If you've enjoyed Julie's other novels you should definitely make sure to pick this one up, it does not disappoint.
First Line:
"The night Sarah and Ben showed up out of the blue."
Favorite Line:
"Through the trees, down a hill, is a magnificent lake seemingly suspended in midair."
This was an interesting family drama, about a girl who accidentally comes out to her father (who seems the only person who hadn't already caught on) and how it ends with her being shipped off. It's unfortunate that her father doesn't accept her, maybe it's just the way he found out. Either way it's good to have the perspective of someone that was not accepted by their family. I really loved Arlo from the restaurant. He seemed accepting but sassy (can men be sassy?) and I really enjoyed his commentary throughout the novel. I really enjoy it when you find out what happened to land the main character where they are through short memories scattered throughout the book. It's better than just having it all spilled out. There are secrets and twists and turns and things that keep you wondering. Not only did we have to learn what was in Alyssa's past, but we also got to dive into her mother, Carly's, past. This novel is in the same vein as Julie Anne Peter's other novels, not only about relationships for lesbians, but all the repercussions that surround them—either from being gay, or simply from life itself. Alyssa was left to her own devices much of the time as Carly kept weird hours, and stripped at night. This allowed Alyssa to hang out with Finn, but this is the thing that causes her the most grief. After how bad she got burned in her last relationship, Alyssa doesn't know how to move on really. The mountain air does her good though. If you've enjoyed Julie's other novels you should definitely make sure to pick this one up, it does not disappoint.
First Line:
"The night Sarah and Ben showed up out of the blue."
Favorite Line:
"Through the trees, down a hill, is a magnificent lake seemingly suspended in midair."
I'm not sure if this one is for me, but it sounds interesting. Great review :)
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