Blue Eyes and Other Teen Hazards by Janette Rallison

Blue Eyes and other Teenage Hazards (Goodreads)

I had never read any Janette Rallison before I saw this book mentioned on a blog (can't remember which one). I was so intrigued by the blurb that I immediately downloaded it from Amazon. And how glad I am that I did. It's a well-written, funny, light-hearted read with an unexpected plot line. Altogether one of the best of YA Contemporary Romances I've read in a long while.

Cassidy, a bright, studious, reliable sophomore, has been crushing on Chad forever, but he hardly knows she exists. Someday, somehow, she vows, those deep blue eyes are going to look her way. In the meantime, she's got plenty of other things to worry about. Her best friend has just moved away, and a new family have moved into her old house. Like a good neighbour, Cassidy goes over to meet them, hoping there will be a girl to fill the gap left by Anjie. The wild, highly-intelligent, Elise hardly fits the bill, but Cassidy is intrigued enough by her to endure her rudeness. The two girls bond and, aided and abetted by Elise's older brother Josh, form an unlikely friendship. Josh hopes Cassidy will be a good influence on his troubled sister. But Elise has other plans. With her Carpe Diem moto, she is determined to introduce Cassidy to the partying life. This leads loyal Cassidy into some scrapes as she tries to protect Elise from herself. It also opens her up to an unexpected - and beautifully fleshed out - romance with . . .  ah! That would be telling.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, clean, inspiring and funny all at the same time. Stars? Four deep blue eyes!

Cheers
Gwynn