I Never

August 1, 2017
A heterosexual teen girl experiences the ups and downs of first love and first sex.High school junior Janey King has never been in love. She's never had a boyfriend, and she's never been kissed. She has enough on her plate with friends, schoolwork, the debate and track teams, and her parents' recent split. Then sexy, athletic, popular Luke Hallstrom asks Janey out. Despite Janey's insecurity--why would someone like Luke be attracted to a nobody like her?--things quickly heat up both physically and emotionally, and soon they're having the sex talk: should they, and when? Throughout most of the novel, Janey carries the damaging notion that she needs Luke to validate her. However, Janey's growth is most evident when she reflects that she doesn't want to feel complete only when she has a boyfriend, that she wants to feel confidence on her own merit. She credits Luke with giving her the power to allow herself to feel validated without any boy's approval--a rather dubious conclusion. Her best friends, "fast" girl virgin Sloan, whose nickname is "E.B." because she'll do "everything but," and Danielle, who has a boyfriend with whom she regularly does the deed, both have frank and funny advice about having sex and not having it. Janey's immediate circle at her La Jolla high school seems to be a largely white one. This steamy and delightfully explicit exploration of teen sex and emotional growth begs to be passed from friend to friend under cover of the cafeteria table. (Romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 11, 2017
At 17, Janey has never had a boyfriend or even a date. Then Luke, the sexiest guy in school (and a senior to boot), asks her out. Despite Janey’s doubts and self-consciousness about her inexperience, Luke genuinely seems to like her. But that doesn’t make it easy: her best guy friend is mad that she’s fallen for a player, one of her best girl friends is jealous, and her recently separated parents don’t know what to make of a dating daughter. Debut author Hopper has created an alternative to YA novels that focus on girls being pressured into sexual activity by entitled bros; Janey makes her own choices and enjoys the results, and the result is a sweetly sex-positive book. Janey’s romantic and sexual initiation goes well, and although Hopper makes Luke a bit too perfect, she avoids an unrealistically happily-ever-after ending. Unfortunately, the few obstacles in the way of the romance feel contrived, and there’s a fair amount of extraneous adverbs, overly expository writing, and (except for Janey) characters with just one or two defining traits. Ages 14–up. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

October 1, 2017

Gr 10 Up-A stellar debut novel that easily compares to Judy Blume's iconic Forever. While on vacation in the middle of her junior year, 17-year-old Janey's parents drop the bomb that they are separating. They claim the "magic is gone" and Janey is heartbroken. However, the teen has a terrific group of friends, excels academically, and is one of the best on the track team at her San Diego high school. Janey has never been in a relationship because she's never met the right guy. But handsome, popular 18-year-old senior Luke Hallstrom changes her mind when she reencounters him unexpectedly, and they instantly click. Luke is up-front about the fact that he will be moving back to Massachusetts and going to Boston College at the end of the school year. The two teens start with public dates, lots of texting, introductions to friends and family members, and an open sharing of opinions. It's all new and exciting to Janey, but she does feel a bit intimidated and self-conscious because Luke has had lots of experience with other girls. Their sexual relationship evolves slowly after both teens have professed their love, and is accompanied by respect, caring, patience, and protection. The experiences are detailed but not explicit, and present an idealistic portrayal of real-life first sexual encounters. VERDICT This is destined to be a classic and will undoubtedly be passed around from teen to teen as a word-of-mouth favorite. Highly recommended.-Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.