Through Calliope (aka Cal) and Eliot’s alternating, distinct and believable teen voices, Barkley and Hepler present a heartwarming glimpse into a summer romance. Before meeting, life for Cal and Eliot has been far from normal. For Cal, life has meant moving every few months when her mother gets the urge and for Eliot, life has centered on his evangelical father’s Sonshine Valley Christian Camp. However, despite their different backgrounds and parents’ wishes, Cal and Eliot share a summer of laughter and stolen romantic moments. At times, their relationship teeters toward sappiness, but is tempered by both teens’ maturity and their growing independence from the lives carved for them by their parents. A satisfying read made richer by the better writing than that offered in most teen romances. (Fiction. YA)
