Lily and Taylor

Gr 9 Up—This raw, brutal story of abuse opens with Taylor observing her older sister's autopsy. It's a jarring scene that sets the tone for the rest of the book. After losing Tannis to an abusive boyfriend, Taylor tries to start over in a new town where she meets amiable Lily. However, Lily harbors some of her own domestic demons, namely a brain-injured mother whose ability to function is spotty at best. The two form a fast bond and life finally seems to be improving for both girls. Unfortunately, everything changes when Taylor's own dangerous boyfriend, Devon, shows up and imprisons the girls in a remote cabin in the woods. Despite being kidnapped, Taylor still finds herself caught between feelings of affection for him and flashes of insight that their relationship, which includes forced uprotected sex, is unhealthy. She struggles to come to terms with standing up for herself and must then face the truth about her life-or-death situation. Moser deals with abusive relationships in a sadly realistic manner. There are no happily-ever-afters here; there is only tragedy or melancholic hope. Lily and Taylor come off as authentic teens, and their friendship rings true. While this will be a heavy read for most, it is an important book for teens dealing with similar situations.—Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Hudson Library & Historical Society, OH