Die for You

Gr 10 Up—Arizona teen Emma Lorde has a complicated home life. Her parents have divorced, and she's furious with her mother, whose infidelity was a factor in the marriage's dissolution. Emma moved across the state to live with her dad, whose binge drinking has become a big liability. But she believes she has found salvation in her boyfriend, Dillon, who provides her with a safe place and shared friends at school and has made a commitment to be with her forever. Dillon's life is also difficult, though, and when Emma receives a dream opportunity for a study abroad program, his surprising negative reaction begins the downward spiral of their relationship. As he starts to question Emma's devotion to him, love turns into manipulation and abuse. With a fresh voice, Dominy adeptly depicts how love can grow dark and that abuse isn't always physical. Never gratuitous, the strong language and sexual situations add to the authenticity of the narrative.