Love in Ruins

Gr 10 Up–Openly gay high schooler Natalie embarks on the summer trip of a lifetime to Greece. She is looking forward to learning and experiencing the culture of ancient Greece with her best friend, Liam. But Natalie’s summer plans take a turn when she falls for Melanie, the daughter of one of the summer trip leaders. Further complicating the joy of the trip are both the project that students must develop based on their experiences and Natalie’s tendency to overthink every aspect of her life. Having recently been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, Natalie knows that she should use the tools taught to her by her therapist to stop her spiraling thoughts. As the group explores ancient relics, Natalie finds that knowing and doing are separate issues, especially when there are so many things to dwell on during the trip. While some readers may be distracted by the turmoil in Natalie’s thought processes, Desombre writes Natalie’s inner monologue in a way that allows readers to have a glimpse inside the head of a teen with OCD. The descriptions of the settings are vivid and enable readers to envision the sights as if they were a part of the tour group. Even though the events take place over a short period of time, the romance between Natalie and Melanie does not feel rushed. Natalie is described as having pale skin.