March 19, 2018
Gabe Jimenez’s life turns upside down when he’s a victim of a hit-and-run and ends up in the arms of a mysterious girl, whom he believes is his savior. Things intensify after he runs into the girl again at the mall and learns that her name is Catherine and that she is a new student at his school. Thousands of miles away in Oregon, Elyse is thrilled to be picked as the lead in the school production of Romeo and Juliet. Her home life with her opioid-addicted mother is less than perfect, and she welcomes the attentions of her drama teacher, Mr. Hunter, who begins to groom her for a boundary-crossing relationship. Meanwhile, Gabe’s relationship with his girlfriend, Sasha, turns sour as her jealousy of Catherine leads her to behave in more erratic and dangerous ways. Debut author Donaldson weaves together two seemingly unconnected stories that eventually merge in a way that only the most attentive readers will predict. Moments of melodrama are ultimately assuaged by sympathetic, well-rounded characters in this taut, intense thriller that could serve as a cautionary tale for obsessive teen relationships. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lanie Davis, Alloy Entertainment.