Charlie
has a major dilemma. Would it be wrong to want to kiss your best friend’s
boyfriend who may become your step-brother?  Charlie has always felt inadequate
next to her best friend Tess, who is prettier, more lovable and more
experienced with boys.  Charlie has a bizarre encounter with class lothario
Kevin and finally thinks she has gained a little edge on Tess.  She makes the
mistake of keeping this information from Tess.  Before she realizes what has
happened, her mother is dating Kevin’s father and the potential love of her
life may end up as her brother.  The only thing that could make this worse
would be if Kevin acted like nothing happened between them and started dating Tess,
which is exactly what happens.

Vail’s
portrayal of Charlie makes the reader cringe during the awkward conversations
she has with herself and others. She is able to capture the helter-skelter
thinking process that a teenager goes through .  Charlie has no filter from her
brain to her mouth.  She wants to remain loyal to Tess,  but can’t control her
own feelings towards Kevin which she rationalizes happened before Tess ever
liked him.

Vail
reminds the reader how hard it is to be almost as pretty and almost as smart as
someone who means a great deal to you and how delicate friendship can be at
this age. You make mistakes which at this time in your life seem unforgivable.
Charlie starts to realize how complicated relationships can be and how her
decisions may affect others.  She also realizes that other people’s decisions
can affect her in profound ways. 

© 2005 Amy Ridley

Amy
Ridley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Boston University.

Categories: Children