RUNNING BACK TO YOU

A scrupulously honest teenager finds love at the track.

High school freshman Millie panics and fibs about having kissed a boy before, something that goes against everything she’s stood for since her mother lied about having an affair. Her best friend, Hannah, schemes to help her nab a first kiss from Caleb, Millie’s twin brother’s best friend—and the girls join the track team to get closer to him. But Millie finds herself growing closer to another track team member: helpful, considerate Logan. This sweet story has a straightforward structure; where it stands out is in its well-observed emotional details. Millie, who narrates her story in a conversational tone, is keenly aware of her peers’ behavior and is committed to remaining levelheaded (most of the time, anyway). But her emotional control is tenuous, considering all she contends with—parents who are estranged from one another, an annoying brother, a boyfriend-obsessed best friend, and a growing passion for hurdling. Henning takes adolescent experiences seriously, and the story’s satisfying combination of daily minutiae and major changes will ring true for many readers. Scenes set in study hall, at a rained-out track meet, and in a local ice cream shop feel both lived-in and cinematic. Main characters present white.

A thoughtful, resonant take on early teen romance.