Everyone has a first love. For Ty Darcy, his first love is not the same girl as his first girlfriend. Ever since he lays his eyes on Becky Webb freshman year, he is hopelessly devoted to her. He loves her unconditionally, despite the fact that he has a wonderful girlfriend named Sydney, or that he hears awful rumors about Becky, or that he’s barely ever spoken to her. His friends think he’s an idiot, writing story after story about all of the scenarios where he imagines he and Becky will finally be together. His wise older sister also tries to tell him he’s making a mistake, pining after a mysterious girl with a bad reputation when he has perfect Sydney already. Perhaps it’s the stubbornness of a teenaged boy, or maybe the idyllic image of Becky he has conjured, but either way Ty is not letting go of his dream girl- even when he starts to see the awful home life that seems to be the driving force behind all of her rumored bad behavior. Will he ever get the girl?
For those readers who don’t mind their romances a little unresolved, this book seems to capture the essence of navigating around your first heart’s desire. Leveen has created a really believable character in Ty, who is a good balance of flawed and sensitive. Hand this to anyone who likes love stories but doesn’t want anything too mushy.
New Brunswick Public Library Teens 