Gr 9 Up—Seventeen-year-old Abby lives in the shadow of her talented and beautiful older sister. But when Tess is left comatose after a car accident, she finds that her sibling's shadow looms even larger from the confines of the hospital. Convinced that her eye movement implies a full recovery, Abby persuades an attractive stranger from the wealthier neighboring town to lure Tess to consciousness with his good looks and conversation. Abby works hard to deny herself the pleasure of Eli's company, but as she learns more about her sister's past and prospects for recovery, she begins to rely on Eli's companionship. However, the emerging romance is threatened when Abby is unable to be honest about her feelings and pushes him away. By piecing together her memories with the stories from Tess's former college roommate and estranged high school best friend, Abby learns a shocking truth about her sister that also reveals her own issues with trust and intimacy. The story moves along at an engaging pace. Flashbacks maintain the suspense and build a compelling sense of mystery. Abby's voice becomes frustratingly self-deprecating, almost to the point of stretching believability. However, the sense of self-doubt and guilt she feels will be relevant to many teens. Compulsively readable, this novel will appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen and Gayle Forman.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD
Abby is living in the shadow of her sister Tess, who's in a coma. When she meets Eli, she's convinced he can bring Tess back; she just never planned on falling for him. While fighting her feelings, Abby discovers a life-changing secret. There's an overabundance of melodrama and angst throughout; however, readers will be gratified to witness Abby restarting her life.
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