Review: IN THE REARVIEW, by Maria Ann Green

The emotional conflict abounding in Maria Ann Green's IN THE REARVIEW will take your breath away. The main character's development and journey to rise above self-inflicted harm is powerfully realistic; I even caught myself gasping out loud more than once. Ms. Green writes beautifully and has a knack for breaking her readers' hearts before giving them hope, allowing her characters to struggle beyond recognition before they can begin to piece their lives back together. IN THE REARVIEW seamlessly weaves together prose and poetry to give readers a 360-degree view of an intense issue that deserves more recognition in young adult literature.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Fans of unconventional storytelling and realistic contemporaries

Review: JERKBAIT, by Mia Siegert

JERKBAIT follows a pair of two very different twins, each struggling internally and externally with unique issues. This book is an amazing read for anyone interested in current issues surrounding teen athletes, or anyone who just enjoys well-written young adult contemporaries. It is full of vivid characters, sobering dilemmas, and bittersweet drama that will stick with the reader long after the final page.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Those who love sports contemporaries and LGBT characters