This Adventure Ends

September 12, 2016
When Sloane Finch, 17, and her family move to a small Florida beach town from her childhood home in New York City, she expects to trudge through her last year of high school as a loner. That’s before she comes to the defense of cute-but-awkward Gabe Fuller at a party and is quickly befriended by his gorgeous, Instagram-famous twin sister, Vera. Sloane, whose father, Everett, writes tragic romance novels, quickly becomes entangled with the twins and their best friends Remy and Aubrey. The foursome is drawn to Sloane’s quick wit and sharp tongue, and Sloane is drawn to the intricacies, secrets, and complications of their lifelong friendships. Having never really had friends, Sloane misses a lot of social cues from her new friends and turns to her father for help. Through the skillful weaving of Everett’s authoritative advice, Mills (First & Then) seamlessly creates art imitating life imitating art while bringing freshness to the familiar romantic conventions she invokes. With taut, realistic dialogue, she expertly crafts blossoming friendships and nascent romances. Ages 14–up. Agent: Bridget Smith, Dunham Literary.

Many novels for teens tackle too much, but Mills goes another direction, focusing on Sloane's family and new friends to the virtual exclusion of school, work, and what readers are told is her passion for singing. Fortunately, these friends are smarter, wittier, and way better looking than your average crew. Vera is a social media maven and a lesbian with a girlfriend in college; her twin, Gabe, is best friends with Remy, who just broke up with Aubrey; and then there's Frank, who has presence and sanctions parties. Sloane's father is a well-known novelist who has written popular books that have been made into movies. Writer's block has resulted in the family's move from New York to this Florida resort town. Fastening onto a TV prime-time soap opera about teen werewolves, he pulls everyone into the show and the fanfic universe surrounding it, resulting in occasional musings about writing. Sloane replaces Aubrey as Vera's bestie, and Remy asks for Sloane's help to understand the breakup. Sloane decides to right the wrong done to Gabe and Vera when their new, young stepmother gives away a meaningful painting done by their deceased artist mother, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Obviously, it's not the plot that matters here, but the commentary on writing, art, friendship, love, and facing the future is always entertaining. In addition to Latino Vera and Gabe, Remy is described as dark-skinned; Sloane, Aubrey, and Frank seem to be white. Mild in every way but language, this tale of privileged teens offers a fairly satisfying glimpse of an almost alternate universe in which mundane life can be ignored. (Fiction. 12-18) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-Sloane is new in town, and she is quickly immersed in a circle of friends, the likes of whom she has never known before. They are tight-knit but welcoming despite their secrets and inside jokes. Her new best friend, Vera, and her twin brother, Gabe, are bereft when they discover that a cherished painting of their deceased mother has mistakenly been sold. Sloane secretly vows to track down the painting, which sets off a series of adventures. Through the course of the novel, Sloane is challenged to reevaluate her solitary tendencies, reconsider her college and career plans, and open herself to the possibility of love. This contemporary romance is set in a vacation belt in Florida. Sloane is a likable protagonist surrounded by loving and supportive family members who are not without their own personal issues. Her father, a famous novelist, has suffered a career blow, and it has strained her parents' marriage. Her new friends are realistic, though her love interest is the typical strong, silent, and stoic type. Fans of the author's debut, First & Then, or her YouTube vlogging persona, Elmilfy, will gravitate toward this title with relatable characters and a satisfying plot. VERDICT Avid and reluctant readers will enjoy this quick offering with short chapters.-Amanda Foust, Consultant, Littleton, CO

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