The Unwritten Rule
by Elizabeth Scott

    THE UNWRITTEN RULE by Elizabeth Scott
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  3/16/10
    Publisher:  Simon Pulse
    Reviewed by:  Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
    Rating:  5 Stars


    Sarah knows she shouldn't like Ryan. Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend. There's an
    unwritten rule in friendship - no crushes on your best friend's boy. But the attraction is there - and besides, Sarah
    liked him first. When Ryan and Sarah are thrown together one night, something happens. Sarah is torn apart by
    guilt and wanting to act on her feelings.

    Elizabeth Scott is an amazing author - she can write anything and I'm always amazed at her talent. I wasn't sure if I
    would enjoy this one, as I hate love triangles and stealing someone's boyfriend - no way! But Ms. Scott pulls it off
    in a wonderful way that made me feel for the characters.

    As much as I liked Sarah and Ryan, Brianna was the stand-out character for me. I would like her and hate her at
    the same time. I would feel sorry for her but I'd also want to yell at her for being so mean. Ms. Scott walks a very
    fine line with Brianna and it works; she kept me guessing about her the entire time. Was she good or bad?
    Someone to like or not? And could we make excuses for her? I could have an entire book discussion on just
    Brianna alone!

    But I can't leave Sarah out (and not just because she shares my name)! Your heart aches with her as she is
    wracked with guilt over wanting her best friend's boyfriend and wanting to remain loyal to Brianna. The story is
    slowly unraveled, and bits and pieces about the past are unveiled and the reader, like Sarah, wants so badly for
    Sarah and Ryan to be together.

    I also love the families that Ms. Scott writes - she has the best supporting characters. I loved that Sarah was close
    to her parents and she's okay staying at home with them. I've always had a close relationship with my family, even
    as a teen, and that is a rare thing to find in YA books. Sarah's relationship with her parents was believable and
    they were a family I would love to visit.

    This is an emotional novel and one that will stick with you. It might sound like it'll be a fluffy chick lit romance, and
    while there is romance, it's certainly not fluff! If you've read anything by Elizabeth Scott, you know she writes great
    romances and this one is no exception. It's never an easy or light romance - it's heart-wrenching and heartbreaking
    and real.

    THE UNWRITTEN RULE doesn't take the easy, all-will-be-perfect route to this story, which I think makes the
    book even more realistic. This one will have you thinking about your friendships and relationships long after you
    read the last page.