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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Fifteen-year-old JL Markham's life used to be filled with carnival nights and hot summer days spent giggling with her forever best friend Aubrey about their families and boys. Together, they were unstoppable. But they aren't the friends they once were.
With JL's father gone on long term business, and her mother suffering from dissociative disorder, JL takes solace in the in the tropical butterflies she raises, and in her new, older boyfriend, Max Gordon. Max may be rough on the outside, but he has the soul of a poet (something Aubrey will never understand). Only, Max is about to graduate, and he's going to hit the road - with or without JL.
JL can't bear being left behind again. But what if devoting herself to Max not only means betraying her parents, but permanently losing the love of her best friend? What becomes of loyalty, when no one is loyal to you?
Review:
I didn't know much about this book when I requested it. I thought from the title that it would perhaps be a light-hearted YA roadtrip story. Um, no...
This was a serious novel about teenage sexuality. But it was also, more subtly, about the neglect and abuse this young teen deals with. While I found the way the subject matter was presented refreshing in its frankness, I worry that it oversimplifies the reasons teens become sexually active.
What I Liked:
Characters:J.L. is such a heart-breaking character. Instead of having caring adults to lean on, she is forced into the role of parent to her mother, who has a mental illness. This is a heavy burden to put on a kid.
And to cope with that burden, she becomes reckless. She starts drinking, and hanging out with older teens. I can't help but feel she sought attention from boys because she felt so undervalued at home. There is more to that, of course, which makes this novel so compelling.
I also loved that she came to terms with the slut-shaming she gets from her "friends" with strength, and understands that sexual feelings are nothing to be ashamed of.
What I Was Mixed About:
Teen Sexuality:This book is brutally honest about teenage sex. As a reader, I found this refreshing. Sexual feelings are not romanticized in the slightest, and the author makes it clear that sex is normal and enjoyable.
But, as a parent, I'll be honest, I was appalled. Not once does anyone in this book think about the consequences of intimacy. No one is taking any precautions. I kept wondering when someone was going to end up pregnant or with an STD.
I also found it creepy that we are reading about the detailed sexual encounters of a fifteen year-old girl!
This book could be a conversation starter with your teen about healthy attitudes about sex.
What I Didn't Like:
Accountability:The adults in this book have a lot of explaining to do! Both of J.L's parents are so wrapped up in their own dramas that they refuse to be present for J.L. Even her grandmother has her head in the sand. She should have taken J.L. into her own home, rather than let her suffer all that neglect. It was infuriating!
I really felt that J.L. was being sexually abused by much older boys. Even though she was a willing participant, I can't help but feel these young men saw how vulnerable she was and took advantage of it. They plied her with alcohol and then talked her into doing increasingly more sexual acts. It was hard to read, at times.
Reasons for Teen Drinking and Sex:
Although I applaud the author for showing that sexual feelings in teens are healthy and normal, I think there are other factors involved when a very young teen becomes sexually active. When teens are stressed, or overlooked, they can often self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, and sex.
J.L. had so many worries about her mother, that it seemed inevitable that she would start drinking. And by giving herself to older boys, she felt valued. She could lose herself in the high of sex. This was not healthy, and only made for more problems.
I wish the author would have had J.L. become more aware of how destructive her actions were.
Rating:
Release Date: April 7th, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Author: Gae Polisner
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Page Length: 288 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A frank look at teen sexuality. While the story was powerful, it oversimplified the reasons teens have sex.
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