Author: Una LaMarche
Year Published: 2014
Genre: YA fiction (romance)
Pages: 347
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Location (my 2015 Google Reading map): USA (NY)
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Devorah is a consummate good girl who has never challenged the ways of her strict Hasidic upbringing. Jaxon is a fun-loving, book-smart nerd who has never been comfortable around girls (unless you count his four younger sisters). They've spent their entire lives in Brooklyn, on opposite sides of the very same street.
When a hurricane strikes the Northeast, the pair becomes stranded in an elevator together, where fate leaves them no choice but to make an otherwise forbidden connection. Though their relationship is strictly forbidden, Devorah and Jax arrange secret meetings and risk everything to be together. But how far can they possibly go? Just how much are they willing to give up?
Review: I really liked this book! It was romantic, culturally interesting, and fun.
My friend and colleague Sherri recommended this book to me and I am so glad she did. The characters are likable (except the ones who aren't, but that's their role), especially the two main characters, Devorah and Jax. I like Jax' easy-going nature, the fact that he is drug and alcohol-free, a really good student who wants to go to college, and that he is respectful. He is all these things and black. I know that sounds terrible, but so much YA literature with a main black character involves gangs, drugs, alcohol, and more. This is a refreshing change. Devorah is fascinating just because her culture is so different from mine. I learned a ton about Hasidic Judaism, which is really interesting. I love it when a book teaches me something via the characters and their experiences. I also think it's important that Devorah follows the tenets of her strict religion, but also has a mind of her own. She is trying to figure out how to live by the rules, but also make some of her own decisions.
The storyline here is as old as time: boy and girl meet, there is a conflict or reason they shouldn't be together, but they try to fight through it. But that's okay with me, it works!
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from the inside flap of the book): Devorah is a consummate good girl who has never challenged the ways of her strict Hasidic upbringing. Jaxon is a fun-loving, book-smart nerd who has never been comfortable around girls (unless you count his four younger sisters). They've spent their entire lives in Brooklyn, on opposite sides of the very same street.
When a hurricane strikes the Northeast, the pair becomes stranded in an elevator together, where fate leaves them no choice but to make an otherwise forbidden connection. Though their relationship is strictly forbidden, Devorah and Jax arrange secret meetings and risk everything to be together. But how far can they possibly go? Just how much are they willing to give up?
Review: I really liked this book! It was romantic, culturally interesting, and fun.
My friend and colleague Sherri recommended this book to me and I am so glad she did. The characters are likable (except the ones who aren't, but that's their role), especially the two main characters, Devorah and Jax. I like Jax' easy-going nature, the fact that he is drug and alcohol-free, a really good student who wants to go to college, and that he is respectful. He is all these things and black. I know that sounds terrible, but so much YA literature with a main black character involves gangs, drugs, alcohol, and more. This is a refreshing change. Devorah is fascinating just because her culture is so different from mine. I learned a ton about Hasidic Judaism, which is really interesting. I love it when a book teaches me something via the characters and their experiences. I also think it's important that Devorah follows the tenets of her strict religion, but also has a mind of her own. She is trying to figure out how to live by the rules, but also make some of her own decisions.
The storyline here is as old as time: boy and girl meet, there is a conflict or reason they shouldn't be together, but they try to fight through it. But that's okay with me, it works!
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