STRAY

Since her parents’ divorce, Natalie’s overprotective mother has kept her on a very short leash and, except for a few white lies, Natalie’s been quite obedient. However, when Carver, a family friend who’s “very attractive, bordering hot,” comes to stay with them to intern at her mother’s veterinary clinic for the summer, Natalie finds herself quickly challenging her mother’s strict boundaries. As a dedicated dog lover, canines are ever present, especially when Natalie introduces and continually references characters based on the particular dog breed that they most resemble. This quirk, although generally humorous, doesn’t provide much insight into the characters and leaves them flat. However, as Natalie slowly begins asserting herself, the constant dog references fade, and the characters, especially Natalie and Carver, take center stage and become fully developed. Light and fun. (Fiction. YA)