Underneath Everything

Reviewed by: Sally Holt - Raymond Village Library, Raymond, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 26, 2015

Review

Debut novel, tells the story of four high school girls who are close friends. Mattie and dramatic Jolene are especially close friends and Mattie has the scar to show it in the palm of her hand when they became blood sisters earlier in their high school career.

The reader wonders if the relationship is about bisexuality, obsessiveness, true friendship or just the trials and tribulations of being teenagers.

Mattie and Kris dropped out of the social scene sophomore year but now that they are seniors they decide it is time join in and so they attend a senior party. There they find Jolene and her boyfriend, Hudson. Though Mattie has convinced herself she can ignore the lure of Jolene she is not so sure once she comes upon her at the party. She does know that she wants to reconnect with Hudson.

This novel is full of twists and turns and lots of drama and will fill a very important niche for teens. Not a word wasted as this book is dense with meaning and conflict.

Sex and alcohol is a focal point in this novel and so would recommend for older teens, only.

Overall Book Score: very good