FICTION

The Precious One

by Marisa de los Santos
Morrow. Mar. 2015. 368p. ISBN 9780061670893. $25.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062323804. F
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De los Santos's fourth novel (after Love Walked In; Belong to Me) unfolds in two voices: Eustacia "Taisy" Cleary, 35, and Willow Cleary, 16. The two are half sisters, though they've barely met—until Taisy's estranged father invites her back into his life after a health crisis, ostensibly to have her ghostwrite his memoir. Taisy, additionally pulled to her hometown by the presence of her old high school flame, is still able to forgive her father, and mentor and protect Willow. Her half sister has previously been homeschooled and although she's intelligent and beautiful, she's also socially naïve and is in over her head at the local high school. But even while being bullied by her peers and groomed by a predatory teacher, she encounters a saving grace: friendship with a handsome, popular classmate.
VERDICT Despite some modern melodrama, the author writes engagingly and creates complex and lovable characters who carry the story. Readers of character-based fiction with heartwarming, hopeful endings (e.g., books by authors such as Elizabeth Berg or Ann Hood) will love this one, too. Also recommended for adult fans of John Green who enjoy preternaturally clever, sophisticated teens and witty banter between romantic leads. [See Prepub Alert, 9/22/14.]
Reviewed by Melanie Kindrachuk, Stratford P.L., Ont. , Feb 01, 2015
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