Molly Swain isn’t one of those girls in high school that gets noticed. In fact, she goes out of her way to make sure no one notices her and she quietly goes about life hoping that Mark(mysterious lab partner) will notice her. Through many fumbles that can only happen in high school, Molly and Mark become friends and when Molly discovers Mark is also moving to New York after high school she imagines their romance blooming.
Only, you know it isn’t going to work out that way right? Sure enough, Mark admits to Molly that he is gay and Molly works on being “ok” with it. She tries so hard that she ends up dating and maybe falling in love with a very sensible guy named Simon. Wanting something so bad it hurts and finally realizing that there is no conceivable way it can happen is an integral part to growing up and Molly finds herself right in the middle of that opportunity.
This is a quick and somewhat predictable read. I easily picked out the few surprises before they happened. But, the characterization is spot-on, you feel for Molly because you remember the feelings she evokes as you read. You hurt for what she is about to experience and cheer when she survives…like we all did. 2008, 316 pages.
