The Lighter Side of Life and Death

August 23, 2010
Sixteen-year-old Mason has had a crush on Kat since she moved to town, so when they end up having sex after Mason's cast party for the school play (the first time for both of them), Mason is thrilled. But Kat becomes distant and instead of dealing with his pain, Mason pursues Colette, a 23-year-old family friend. Details of their secret affair are graphic but realistic, with Mason soon wanting an emotional connection Colette does not. Adding to tension at school is Mason's best friend Jamie, who also likes Kat, and Mason's new stepfamily (his father recently remarried), particularly belligerent 13-year-old Brianna. The family scenes are solid, with hostility between Mason and Brianna bubbling to a climax after Brianna spots Mason getting out of Colette's car, though the fallout from the affair is surprisingly minor. Still, Martin gives Mason a relatable voice ("I've never stalked anyone before; how do people do this?") and offers a refreshingly sincere perspective on early relationships. Ages 14–up.

August 1, 2010

Gr 10 Up-Mason and Kat are best friends, but, drunk after a party, they have sex, and neither knows how to deal with the aftermath. Mason's always had a crush on Kat and he's worried that she'll think he was taking advantage of her; she's acting distant and won't talk to him. Their behavior after their secret tryst puts a strain on Mason's high school clique, especially with pal Jamie, who had a crush on Kat and who finds out what happened. Confused, 16-year-old Mason jumps into a romantic relationship with an older woman, Colette. His feelings about the mess he's made with Kat and the inappropriate relationship with Colette ring true. A subplot about Mason's new blended family adds dimension to the story. This narrative will keep readers interested as it moves from shamed encounter to forbidden relationship. For female romance fans, the story allows a peek into the teen boy's conscience and explores the emotional consequences of sex without being preachy.-Shawna Sherman, Hayward Public Library, CA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2010
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* When best friends Mason and Kat lose their virginity to each other, they react quite differently. Mason is obsessed with Kat; Kat responds by ignoring him completely. Partly from a desire for revenge, partly from fascination, Mason begins an intense physical relationship with 23-year-old Colette, a dalliance that soon becomes just as obsessive as his relationship with Kat was. This is not your ordinary teen romance. Its heavy on the sex but carefully nuanced. Although the lust is palpable, so is the affection and intrigue. Yes, Mason is in love with the act itself, but he cares deeply for both young women. The layers of emotion, so rarely evoked by young men in YA novels, give a depth and authenticity to Masons personality that expose his navet' and occasional bewilderment. The books other characters are equally complex. Kat and Colette have strong, genuine feelings for Mason, each battling her own distinct emotions. Even Masons relationships with his new stepfamily are painfully true to life. Counteracting its apparently happy ending, this taut novel propels readers from one corroding relationship to another. A more genuine representation of teen life would be hard to find.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)