My school years ended years ago, so I rarely read books with so young characters but Penelope Douglas is one of my exceptions. I know that her stories are like a drug that you get addicted and underneath the angst of their age, there is depth and hidden messages about our lives, our fears, our community.
Misha has been pen pals with Ryen for years but they have never met. They exchange only letters and they have agreed to share their lives through words but not in the real word. They are best friends, they share their secrets, the complete each other. When unexpectedly Misha finds her at a party without her knowing, he finds a different girl. A tragedy though in his life makes him stop writing her. He hates her and loves her and Ryen is left alone without someone to lean on.
When their lives are crossed again ,both are different. Misha finds a girl nothing like his dream girl. She is conceited, a bully, a school queen. He fights her and he is excited to see underneath her image, there is hidden the girl he has always known.
Ryen has always been afraid. She doesn’t want to be alone, so she does anything in her power to stay on top of the school chain. Misha is her only friend but when he stops writing her, she is lost. When a boy that makes her furious turns up in school like a ghost, she is intrigued. She starts sharing her true self with him, her wants, her needs.
Misha is a hero easy to love. He is smart, mysterious and sexy. Ryen on the other hand is a girl that many will criticize but more will find a part of themselves in her. Everyone is scared to be left alone and we all have done things that we regret. The most important part is if we change and understand our errors. It is very brave that Ryen has succeeded to overcome her fears and let her true self shine.
Although this is a story about teenagers, Penelope discusses important matters of our community; loneliness, social media, bullying, family, friendship.
If you have loved Bully and Corrupt, two of her previous books, you will definitely adore this one! It is a thrilling love story with twists that will make you remember how vulnerable we all are and how major is to love ourselves.
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