Our Broken Pieces

June 5, 2017
Everly Morgan thought that her senior year would be filled with fun times with her boyfriend, Brady, and best friend, Elle. That changes when she finds the two of them in a compromising position and learns that most of her friends were aware of the betrayal. To deal with her depression and anxiety, Everly starts seeing a therapist every Tuesday, which is where she meets Gabe, a classmate she has never noticed before. Even though Everly has sworn off love, her attraction to Gabe is undeniable. White, who has built up a following on Wattpad for her Rookie in Love series and other stories, knows how to put together a steamy romantic scene, though she often dips into clichéd turns of phrase (“I feel my lips curl up into a smile”). The novel attempts to tackle some serious issues, particularly regarding mental health, but it lacks much of an emotional punch, especially when Everly’s concerns turn to whether she’ll have fun during spirit week or get the “promposal” of her dreams. Ages 14–up. Agent: Christine Witthohn, Book Cents Literary.

June 1, 2017
A chance waiting-room meeting sparks romance.Everly, a successful, white high school senior, manages occasional panic attacks with her therapist's help. When catching her boyfriend making out with her best friend escalates the panic attacks, Everly's therapist suggests new coping tools. They help Everly reduce her negative thoughts and incrementally face her worst fears. The therapy sessions also unexpectedly provide opportunities for Everly to connect with handsome, white Gabe, another student from her school with captivating multicolored eyes. He quickly becomes another positive in her life, playfully and gently teasing Everly while also allowing her to share her lingering pain about the bad breakup. In return, Everly supports Gabe as he tackles his fears following his sister's recent suicide attempt and her ongoing challenges with managing her bipolar symptoms. Both Everly and Gabe develop positive relationships with their therapists in a refreshing departure from the multitude of teen characters who reject all professional interventions. Everly and Gabe's relationship also avoids cliches: neither character is "fixing" the other; instead, each respects the other's emotional journey. This mutual admiration forms the foundation for the believable support they offer each other during difficult moments. And the genuineness of their emotional connection makes their scorching intimate scenes even sexier (as does the welcome inclusion of condoms). A thoughtfully sexy meditation on healing, friendship, and romance. (Fiction. 14-18)

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