Scott, Elizabeth. Bloom. Simon Pulse, 2007. 240 pages. ISBN-10: 1416926836. ISBN-13: 978-1416926832.Plot:
From the outside, Lauren has the perfect life. Her boyfriend Dave is the quarterback, super cute, and the guy every girl in school wants. She hangs out with the most popular kids in school. She has a totally devoted best friend, Katie. The reality is completely different. The popular kids only include her because of Dave, she and Katie have very little in common, and her relationship with the secretly celibate Dave isn’t really working. Worst of all, her mother left her when she was 6 and her father has been trying to put their family back together with a string of live in girlfriends.
When Evan, the son of one of these former girlfriends, comes back into Lauren's life, everything is turned upside down. She can't deny the attraction she feels for him and the two soon embark on a secret relationship. Hiding everything from Katie and Dave starts to take a toll on Lauren; she realizes that she needs to choose before the choice is made for her and she loses everyone. Who should she be with? Her supposedly perfect boyfriend? Or the boy who seems perfect for her?
Critical Evaluation:
By all rights, Lauren should be a terrible character. She ignores her best friend, she judges her boyfriend for his abstinence and then cheats on him, she hurts the boy she's cheating with by refusing to make a decision either way, and she lies to everyone in her life. However, Scott manages to make Lauren not only sympathetic but actually likable. Though at times the reader might be frustrated with Lauren or disagree with her actions, it's difficult to dislike her completely. In fact, the reader actually feels for her as she’s struggling to deal with her family life and her romantic life.
There are few surprises in this novel and the ending is rather predictable, but it does present a twist on the typical romance. The developing relationship between Lauran and Evan is sweet and progresses realistically. Lauren’s struggle to figure out what she wants and how exactly perfection plays into the equation is one with which many readers can identify. It’s a romantic and satisfying read.
Reader's Annotation:
Lauren knows she has the perfect boyfriend in Dave, everyone says so, but she isn’t happy. When the mysterious Evan comes back into her life, Lauren starts to discover what she’s been missing all along.
Author Information:
Elizabeth Scott was born in 1972 in a small town in Virginia. Her parents were both school teachers and her town was small enough that she often ended up in classes taught by one or the other. She attended college and graduated with a major in European studies. Prior to becoming an author, she held several jobs including editor, office manager, and salesman. She now lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband, whom she met in college.
She has published eight books for young adults. Though many of her books are what would be considered Romance, she does often include serious subject matter and several of her novels cover dark subjects. Young adult novels hold a special place in her heart and she has stated that doesn’t see herself ever writing anything else.
Genre:
Romance
Curriculum Ties:
Psychology: Self-Awareness, Healthy Relationships
Booktalking Ideas:
- Discuss the differences between Lauren’s relationship with Dave and her relationship with Evan.
- Focus on the idea of perfection.
Reading Level/Interest Age:
Age 14 and up
Challenge Issues:
Infidelity
Sexual content
Portrayal of Christianity
Challenge Defense Ideas:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
I was interested in the way the two different relationships were presented.
