Sweethearts

Recommended by my bestie, Sweethearts was a great story about growing up, and the people that you meet and leave along the way.  The writing brought to mind Sarah Dessan in that slightly tortured, real-world problems sort of way.  

The story opens with the narrator (Jennifer/Jenna) as a young, awkward 9 year old who is navigating her existence with difficulty.  Tortured by her peers because she is poor, chubby and a bit neglected, she finds solace in her one friend, Cameron.  The two have a very close, soul-mate type existence.  One day, her friend fails to show up to school and she eventually hears that he has died.

The rest of the book goes back and forth between the present (with Jenna as a transformed 17 year old) and a creepy past event that shaped her perception of herself and her relationship with Cameron.  What is great about this book is that Sara Zerr, the author, doesn't waste words.  It's a quick, efficient read that tells the story well.  My biggest issue was that it was a bit unrealistic.  As a child of Abuse it is totally understandable that Cameron would have issues with commitment and communication, but the way he came in and out of Jenna's life like some sort of mythological beast was a bit weird.  Also, and this is just my issues, but it lacked the kind of resolution I craved.  I'm all for real relationships in books, but it was really unsatisfying to have nothing to follow up on.  It kind of felt like when someone (usually me) forgets the punchline of a joke and then has to explain why it should have been funny, or has to add in "oh wait, I forgot to tell you that the donkey was pink" at the punchline.  Kills the mood.  Every time.

Anyway, it was a decent read, and I enjoyed it.  3 stolen Snickers bars out of 5.