A review by mb_booklady
I'll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
5.0
4.5 stars-- Almost tears.
Harper O'Malley was adopted from an abusive home life to become the daughter of a college football coach and his wife and sister to their two boys. Although she has been to counselors, she still has trust and self-esteem issues.
At 16, she finally develops her first crush on a fellow band geek. Andrew is all that Harper could want, but she has no idea how to get him to notice her or even really talk to him.
She reluctantly agrees to tutor fellow high-school student, Ridley Estes, in exchange for his coaching on how to interact with Andrew. Harper is sure she knows Ridley's type--he parties all the time and changes girlfriends like he does socks. He is definitely not her type and not safe for her. Not to mention she considers him totally out of her league.
While this story follows a familiar story line, outside vents conspire to make Harper deal with her trust issues. She also realizes everything is not as it seems on the outside. Through these events, she learns to do the things she fears because it is freeing and rewarding.
Some readers may be put off by the "Christian" label that could be applied to the book, but it is not a preachy story. Nor is it nice and neat. Like life, the O'Malley's lives are messy, uncomfortable, and don't always work out perfectly.
Some of the issues dealt with are messy and may not be for sensitive readers, but I would be comfortable giving the book to my seventh and eighth graders. Although the story is a romance, it's about family, making mistakes, and fumbling through life the best you can with whatever situation you find yourself in.
I truly enjoyed the story and will be looking for it in paperback for my middle school library. It is a cute romance with a great message that my female students will love.
Harper O'Malley was adopted from an abusive home life to become the daughter of a college football coach and his wife and sister to their two boys. Although she has been to counselors, she still has trust and self-esteem issues.
At 16, she finally develops her first crush on a fellow band geek. Andrew is all that Harper could want, but she has no idea how to get him to notice her or even really talk to him.
She reluctantly agrees to tutor fellow high-school student, Ridley Estes, in exchange for his coaching on how to interact with Andrew. Harper is sure she knows Ridley's type--he parties all the time and changes girlfriends like he does socks. He is definitely not her type and not safe for her. Not to mention she considers him totally out of her league.
While this story follows a familiar story line, outside vents conspire to make Harper deal with her trust issues. She also realizes everything is not as it seems on the outside. Through these events, she learns to do the things she fears because it is freeing and rewarding.
Some readers may be put off by the "Christian" label that could be applied to the book, but it is not a preachy story. Nor is it nice and neat. Like life, the O'Malley's lives are messy, uncomfortable, and don't always work out perfectly.
Some of the issues dealt with are messy and may not be for sensitive readers, but I would be comfortable giving the book to my seventh and eighth graders. Although the story is a romance, it's about family, making mistakes, and fumbling through life the best you can with whatever situation you find yourself in.
I truly enjoyed the story and will be looking for it in paperback for my middle school library. It is a cute romance with a great message that my female students will love.