McGovern, Kate

Rose's mom has advanced Huntington's disease. Caleb's mom and little sisters have sickle cell disease. The two teens meet at the annual Walk for Rare Genes fundraiser, and their immediate attraction soon develops into something more meaningful. But Rose has rules about where she invests her time and energy, imposed because of her mother's illness and Rose's own as-yet-unknown Huntington's status (there's a fifty percent chance that she has the gene triggering the terminal disease). Rose sees school and her serious ballet training as good uses of her time. But a boyfriend? That's just irresponsible. Rose spends much of the novel locked in paralyzing indecision about whether or not to be tested for the gene, and what the results will mean for her future plans: college, a dance career, a relationship. In Caleb, Rose finds a devoted, supportive friend, and later boyfriend—but also one who doesn't hesitate to call her on her crap, whether it's for her ongoing pity party or her utter cluelessness about racial injustice (Rose is white, Caleb is African American). At times, Rose's angst can be wearing, but her realistically confused and complex anger and grief about her mother's decline add poignancy. Readers will stick with Rose through her dilemma—and her decision