The Circle of Friends Bk. 1: Lori
by L. Diane Wolfe

    LORI by L. Diane Wolfe
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  3/31/09
    Publisher:  Dancing Lemur Press
    Reviewed by:  Jaglvr
    Rating:  4 Stars


    For anyone that says there are few young adult books out there with a positive message with little sexual content or
    foul language, then they haven’t discovered THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS series by Ms. Wolfe yet.  LORI is the first
    in the series.

    Lori Anders is pretty, but she’s always been shy and lonely.  Neither of her parents are around all that often, so she
    has been given pretty much anything she’s ever asked for.  The house she lives in comes with an indoor pool that she
    uses every day for her training.  She has dreams of an Olympic gold medal in swimming.

    It isn’t until Lori defends her friend, Maria, from bullies at school that the course of her life totally changes.  The
    bullies retaliate against Lori and she is rescued by none other than the quarterback of the school’s football team.  
    Unbeknownst to Jason, Lori has had a crush on him.  Jason is amazed that he’s never noticed Lori before, because
    he finds her truly stunning.  And she is totally different from any other girl he has ever met.

    After he rescues her, Jason invites Lori to have lunch at his table.  She is immediately welcomed into the group.  It’s
    not long after that that she and Jason begin to date.  They quickly become an item, and a couple that everyone
    admires.  But Lori tells Jason that she will not have sex with him.  She explains that she believes in saving herself until
    marriage.  Although Jason isn’t happy with the news, he realizes that Lori is special and is willing to wait.

    From that point on, the rest of LORI shares the trials and tribulations of the couple as they go from senior year of
    high school through their college years.  The two struggle together to remain a couple and are determined to make
    their relationship work.  Lori is at one university on a swimming scholarship and Jason is at another school, reaching
    for his separate dream of an NFL contract at the end of his college football career.  

    Life isn’t perfect for Lori and Jason, but through love and understanding, they do the best that they can.

    Lori Anders is such a positive influence for anyone.  She shows complete devotion to those she loves, and an
    unwavering determination to reach her dreams.  There may be hints at sexual situations, but they are done within the
    limits of marriage -  and abstinence is the message until marriage.  

    Overall, anyone that picks up LORI will come away with a warm feeling by the end of her journey.