You Before Anyone Else

June 15, 2016
Two fashion models in New York City try not to fall in love but can't help it--yet secrets from the past might tear them apart.Finley wants only to make money so she can reopen her late mother's dance studio, but she's having trouble getting modeling jobs because she looks "too sweet." Eddie, on the other hand, starts getting major jobs just by walking in the door. At a party, Finley decides that a one-night stand might help change her image. She chooses Eddie for her overnight partner, hoping to remain unattached, but the two beautiful 18-year-olds keep encountering each other. Once they realize they're in a real romance, Eddie encounters problems. A secret from his past demands action, but Eddie wants to resist his domineering father's demands. His secret might completely disrupt his romance with Finley just as Finley's family has accepted him. Meanwhile the two teens work on modeling jobs for such fashion luminaries as Marc Jacobs. Can Eddie escape his past and find a future with Finley? Can Finley make the right decision about her career? Using the same alternating-narration format as in predecessor Halfway Perfect (2015), Cross and Perini hit all the buttons for the chick-lit crowd, although here they de-emphasize the fashion aspect of the story in favor of romance. Of course, all characters are model-gorgeous (and all the major ones appear to be white). Romance trumps industry detail in this fashion follow-up. (Romance. 14-18)

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August 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Finley Belton is modeling to earn money to reopen her mother's dance studio. It's during this time that she meets fellow model Eddie Wells, who seems mysterious yet much like the superficial, good-looking rich kids whom she encounters on a daily basis. Finley is nothing like that, with her wholesome demeanor and maturity beyond her years, having had to be the glue that holds her family together. However, as she gets to know Eddie, she realizes that he is not at all as he first appeared, and sparks ignite between them. As they grow closer, Eddie must decide how much to reveal about a secret he keeps in fear that he will lose Finley, the one person who loves and believes in him. Written in alternating first-person points of view, this novel provides readers with an in-depth look into Finley's and Eddie's thoughts, allowing a true fondness to develop for the characters. What starts off as a simple romance becomes a story addressing serious teen issues. Finley and Eddie are well-developed, and through their interactions, Cross and Perini address such themes as familial angst, teen pregnancy, and the consequences of our choices. Overall, this is a well-written selection that teens will relate to and enjoy. VERDICT A great summer read that will be popular among those who love realistic romance.-Bernice La Porta, Susan E. Wagner High School, Staten Island, NY

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