THE SECRETS OF BOYS by Hailey Abott
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/1/06
Publisher: Avon
Reviewed by: Allison M. Rotonda
Rating: 4 Stars
Cassidy Jones has her summer all planned out; she and her BFF, Larissa, have jobs lined up at a
super-trendy clothing boutique and her gorgeous, surfer boyfriend, Eric, wants her to spend time in the sand
with him. Sadly, her ultra-organized and goal-oriented parents have decided she should spend her summer in
an intensive language program at a university.
Once classes start everything starts changing. Larissa is too busy to make time for her friend. Eric is
suddenly jealous of everything. Cassidy is suddenly finding Zach, the worldly college boy, attractive, and she
starts to question everything. The reintroduction of her childhood best friend, Joe, into the equation makes life
even more interesting for her, even if he is all the way across the country. Throughout the summer she
expands her horizons, but begins to wonder if she really knows anything about the real secrets of boys and
life in general.
The thoughts and feelings that Cassidy experience will likely be familiar to readers. Abbott uses believable
dialogue to help tell her story. Readers will be envious of the amazing wardrobes Cassidy and Larissa have
access to. Some of the events seem a little unlikely, but they do not distract from the important lessons that
Cassidy learns while finding herself. In the end, things wrap up in a satisfying way even if it is not what readers
may hope for. There is a feeling that life is just starting to get good for Cassidy Jones.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/1/06
Publisher: Avon
Reviewed by: Allison M. Rotonda
Rating: 4 Stars
Cassidy Jones has her summer all planned out; she and her BFF, Larissa, have jobs lined up at a
super-trendy clothing boutique and her gorgeous, surfer boyfriend, Eric, wants her to spend time in the sand
with him. Sadly, her ultra-organized and goal-oriented parents have decided she should spend her summer in
an intensive language program at a university.
Once classes start everything starts changing. Larissa is too busy to make time for her friend. Eric is
suddenly jealous of everything. Cassidy is suddenly finding Zach, the worldly college boy, attractive, and she
starts to question everything. The reintroduction of her childhood best friend, Joe, into the equation makes life
even more interesting for her, even if he is all the way across the country. Throughout the summer she
expands her horizons, but begins to wonder if she really knows anything about the real secrets of boys and
life in general.
The thoughts and feelings that Cassidy experience will likely be familiar to readers. Abbott uses believable
dialogue to help tell her story. Readers will be envious of the amazing wardrobes Cassidy and Larissa have
access to. Some of the events seem a little unlikely, but they do not distract from the important lessons that
Cassidy learns while finding herself. In the end, things wrap up in a satisfying way even if it is not what readers
may hope for. There is a feeling that life is just starting to get good for Cassidy Jones.
The Secrets of Boys
by Hailey Abbott
by Hailey Abbott