One can almost imagine a modern-day minstrel singing the poetic prelude that recounts Kelly Ray’s heroin addiction and negligence, which almost led to her baby sister’s death, and that suggests, “This, if not quite a fairy tale. This, Reader, is a love story.” This day—and one night—of Kelly, now 19, drug-free for two years, and a talk-show assistant, begins with her trying to rectify her aunt/caretaker and radio talk-show diva of Talk Now, Kit Carpenter’s botched interview with singing sensation Simone Sanchez. Posing as a delivery girl, Kelly makes her way to Sanchez’s penthouse, but security is extremely tight, as Dakota City, Minnesota, hosts a global conference on the war-torn European country Lakveria. This opportunity leads to a propitious meeting with Prince Tomas Teronovich, heir apparent to Lakveria, and outwitting his bodyguards, in turn, leads to a whirlwind night for both young adults. Poring over historic maps, dining on Thai food, attending a Judy Garland sing-along festival, and watching the sunrise, the adventure culminates in an effort to bring attention to the horrors in Lakveria. While Kelly’s plan from the beginning is to lure Tom into Kit’s talk-show lair, neither teen expects the night to be a life-changing event that lets them open their hearts to love and battle their demons. And neither Kelly, who’s lived all her life in Dakota City, and Tom, Paris-born, Texas-raised, and Britain-educated, would have imagined that their lives are so similar. Qualey (Close to a Killer, 1999, etc.) proves once again that strong characterization is her forte. Her gentle blend of political intrigue and bittersweet romance will leave readers believing that one night really can make a difference. Kelly’s final advice to Tom is “Be good at what you do,” and Qualey certainly has. (Fiction. YA)
Pub Date: May 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-8037-2602-3
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2002
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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