
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the messy transition of a friend group shifting into new romantic dynamics, or when a child is exploring their own sexual identity. It follows three best friends, Avery, Mel, and Nina, whose airtight bond is tested when two of them fall in love while the third is away at a summer program. The book tackles the nuances of loyalty, the pain of being the odd one out, and the courage it takes to be honest with oneself and others. While it deals with mature themes of sexuality and high school social pressures, it is a realistic and grounded choice for older teens (14 and up) who need to see that friendship can evolve and survive even when the rules change. It is a compassionate tool for normalizing LGBTQ+ identity within the context of lifelong friendships.
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Sign in to write a reviewOccasional realistic high school profanity.
Explores feelings of isolation and the potential loss of long-term friendships.
The book deals directly with sexual identity and coming out. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the internal and social repercussions. The resolution is realistic: not every conflict is perfectly solved, but there is a clear path toward growth and self-acceptance.
A 15-year-old who feels like their friend group is changing and is struggling to find their new place in it, particularly a teen who is questioning their sexuality or watching a friend come out.
Parents should be aware of realistic high school dialogue and depictions of teenage romance. The book can be read cold by most teens, but a conversation about the difference between keeping secrets and having privacy might be helpful. A parent might choose this book after hearing their teen express feeling left out of their usual group or after the teen shares that a close friend has started dating within the circle.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the 'drama' and the fear of losing friends. Older teens (17-18) will likely connect more with the nuances of identity and the transition toward adulthood.
Unlike many books that focus solely on the romance, this story prioritizes the 'triangle' of friendship, showing how one person's coming out affects the entire ecosystem of a friend group.
Avery, Mel, and Nina have been inseparable for years. While Nina is away at a summer academic program, Avery and Mel develop romantic feelings for each other and begin a secret relationship. When Nina returns, she finds herself the 'third wheel' in a dynamic she no longer recognizes. The story follows the fallout of this shift, exploring how the three girls navigate their changing identities and the impact on their social and family lives.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.