Myrian's Journal

In this YA romance novel, a 20-something man and a teenage girl discover romantic feelings for each other, just as he leaves to reunite with his estranged parents.

Myrian, 15, and her cousin Cininell, 19, met brothers Krayper and Sephinkwill when the latter became their neighbors eight years ago. Now, Cininell and the younger brother Sephinkwill are dating, and Myrian is experiencing adultlike attraction for the 27-year-old Krayper. They soon admit their mutual feelings but vow not to date until she turns 18. Krayper then decides that it’s time for him and his brother to reunite with their parents, who left to tend their stained-glass business years before. At the brothers’ send-off party, Myrian spots Paisley, one of Krayper’s work colleagues, flirting with him. The brothers later reconnect with their parents, as well as childhood pals, including Swearly, a girl that Krayper once had a crush on. Myrian and Krayper stay in touch by phone, and Sephinkwill and Cininell soon find out about their blossoming relationship. Cininell is worried that Myrian is too young but agrees to travel with her cousin to visit the brothers with Paisley in tow. By novel’s end, Dolton’s scavenger hunts uncover and advance several relationships, and an epilogue shares Myrian and Krayper’s final fate. McGaha (Pet-Named, 2016, etc.) has written a sentimental tale that sprinkles fantastical touches, including the character names and the stained-glass detail, into what’s essentially a YA does-he-like-me saga. Many of the story elements are left rather misty, including where the characters live and what Krayper does for a living. There’s also an underlying creepiness, given the main characters’ large age gap. However, the narrative does ably portray its female characters, including the potential competitors with Myrian for Krayper’s love, with subtlety and sympathy.

An underdeveloped mash note, despite nuanced characterization.