First There Was Forever

Gr 9 Up—Sophomore year should be the best yet for lifelong Malibu friends Lima and Hailey, but new friends and old crushes work together to make their relationship more complicated than either of the girls could have imagined. Obsessed with her long time crush, Nate, but feeling little support from Lima, Hailey begins to leave Lima behind in search of more worldly ways to spend her weekends. Left on her own, Lima also branches out on the friendship scene, finding herself spending time with two fabulously mysterious upperclassmen, as well as with Hailey's obsession, Nate. As the year progresses, the chasm between the two girls only grows larger, fueled by several emotional exchanges that cut both teens to the quick; however, the death nell of their relationship comes in Lima's decision to hide her newfound feelings for Nate from her forever friend. Romano presents a story of adolescents growing up against the backdrop of a picture perfect California that may seem the stuff of dreams to many readers. It is unfortunate that the permissive parenting and gratuitous underage drinking in the plot take a more prominent role in a narrative that addresses "the first time" with such sensitivity and grace. An additional purchase.—Colleen S. Banick, Westport Public Schools, CT