NEVER TOO LATE

In this second, stand-alone book in the Flirt series, a teenager is thrilled when she gets the lead in a school play—until she realizes who her co-star is.

The big event in the sophomore class is the Renaissance faire, in which everyone participates in a wide variety of roles. Abbey discovers she’s won the coveted lead in the big production, playing opposite the handsome, popular Jason, whom, alas, she sees as arrogant and shallow. But worse, some transgression he committed at the school dance seriously haunts Abbey, and the textual implication is that the act was truly egregious. Then readers find out: She overheard him telling a buddy that he thought Abbey was boring. Really? But the second and third rubs are worthy of worry: As Abbey gets to know Jason, she realizes she’s smitten—and her best friend, Olivia, has a serious crush on him. Though many teenage characters are drama queens, Abbey’s eternal disquietude grows wearisome, and readers may find themselves wishing she would just chill. Balancing this is her sensitivity toward Olivia. Though the writing offers nothing truly original—readers must put up with many a cliché—the narrative flies, Abbey’s navigation of her burgeoning relationship is compelling, and the triangular love plot will be appealing, as well as achingly familiar to many.

Some may give it a standing ovation, though others will remain seated.