A Stand-Alone Novel by Jennifer Echols, MTV Books, March 2009.
This is one of my all-time favorite books! GOING TOO FAR is a story about two young people who seem very different but are really very much alike. Eighteen-year-old Meg is a senior in high school and somewhat of a delinquent. She rebels by acting out and dying her hair (blue during this story) and is ready to bust out of town as soon as she graduates. Nineteen-year-old John is just out of the police academy and can be overly conscientious about his work. He's proud of what he does and is determined to remain in their small Alabama town protecting its citizens. But both are broken--their actions products of painful pasts--and neither of them is living up to their potential.
The story begins with John arresting a drunken and high Meg and her friends when they trespass on a dangerous railroad bridge where two teenagers died several years ago. Three of the kids are ordered to do community service with the local emergency services during their highly anticipated Spring Break. As you can imagine, all three are extremely bummed that they have to stay home while their friends go to the beach that week and party. Meg is assigned to five consecutive graveyard shifts patrolling with John, during which they share a little about themselves and grow somewhat close. Meg sees the variety of pressures a policeman experiences in their backwater town, and when they eat at Meg's family's diner, John gets some idea of the life Meg endures.
As a cop, John comes off as stiff and aloof, but Meg discovers he's not as boring as he appears. Meg acts all carefree and wild, yet John learns that she is more responsible and focused than he originally thought. Through each other, they discover strengths about themselves. Through their friendship, they help each other grow and overcome their fears.
GOING TOO FAR is the perfect book to take to the beach. It's a love story. It's humorous. It's poignant. And, it's extremely well written. Jennifer Echols' stories are filled with everyday people with unique personalities facing life-changing problems, and this book is no exception. You'll want to read this book again and again. (Well, at least I do. ;-D )
PROTAGONIST/HEROINE: A troubled, caring, 18-year-old senior
ACTION: Arresting some crazy guys, hanging on a railroad bridge
LOVE INTERESTS: A 19-year-old, dedicated policeman
ROMANCE: A few sex scenes but not in detail
QUIRKINESS: Meg's sense of humor
IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Such a Rush and Love Story by Jennifer Echols, Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, The Rock Star's Daughter by Caitlin Duffy, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen