Nothing Like You
by Lauren Strasnick

    NOTHING LIKE YOU by Lauren Strasnick
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  8/3/10
    Publisher:  Simon Pulse
    Reviewed by:  Breanna F.
    Rating:  5 Stars


    During her Junior year of high school, Holly lost her mom to cancer. In her Senior year, Holly loses her virginity to
    Paul.

    She assumes it's just a one-time thing, because Paul is pretty much out of her league and has a long-time girlfriend,
    Saskia. But after that day, Paul keeps trying to talk to Holly and pursue her further. Pretty soon, they are regularly
    sleeping together and Holly feels awful about it, knowing that Saskia is Paul's real girlfriend. But it's really nice to
    have someone show their feelings for her, even if it is only in secret. Since her mom died, she hasn't been able to
    feel much until now.

    While this is going on, Holly's best (and only) guy friend, Nils, has yet another new girlfriend. Holly thinks he has
    intimacy issues, but should she really be judging him when she is doing what she's doing?

    Everything changes for Holly when she's partnered with Saskia in class one day. She realizes that Saskia isn't the
    rude girl that she has always believed her to be. Soon, the two of them become great friends, and Holly is in a
    tough spot and knows that she has to completely end things with Paul, but how? Things get even worse when Nils
    and Holly start having feelings for each other..

    At first I wasn't sure this book would really go anywhere, but after the first couple of chapters I realized what a
    pickle Holly had gotten herself into. And when she started talking to Saskia, I was basically holding my breath
    every page! Holly and Nil's relationship was pretty great, too. He was always there for her, trying to cheer her up
    and make her smile. I was rooting for them to end up together during most of the book. Paul was just a total
    sleazebag. I kept wanting Holly to just smack him in the face or something.

    If you're looking for a great contemporary story to read, then this is definitely it. I couldn't wait to get to the end of
    the book to find out what happened, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way, too.