No Holding Back

October 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-The sequel to No Love Allowed follows Nathan and Preston as they take the European summer vacation meant for Nathan and his cousin, Caleb. While Caleb and Didi spend their summer in Dodge Cove, Nathan plans to distract Preston from his busy swimming schedule while also using the trip as an opportunity to confess his true feelings for him. Reluctantly, Preston joins Nathan on the extravagant trip but almost immediately dashes Nathan's hopes and completely ignores his not-so-subtle romantic messages. Convinced that his feelings are unrequited, Nathan becomes withdrawn and considers returning home to pursue his own career goals. However, his twin sister, Natasha, suddenly arrives in Greece to give the protagonist the support he needs to follow through with his decision. Readers will need some familiarity with the first book to fully understand the characters and the plot. Unlike its predecessor, this title exists solely in the jet-setting world of ultrarich teenagers whose worries center primarily on their love interests. Preston's anxiety about making the Olympic swim team and Nathan's worries about pulling off the party of the year for Dodge Cove's social elite are some of the characters' concerns. Teens interested in LGBTQ romances may overlook the wealth-filled setting in favor of the characters' internal struggles. VERDICT Purchase where the previous volume is popular.-Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

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