Review: A Very Readable Book
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 10, 2012
"Crowded" starts in dramatic fashion when high school student Cole Martin, a new Christian, receives a text massage and a photo from an old girlfriend. Just one problem - she's naked.His new girlfriend Emily learns about this, and naturally she is shocked. She tells her parents, who demand that she end her relationship with Cole.She turns instead to Josh, a new classmate - and another new Christian - with a mysterious background. Yet still she has warm feelings for Cole, who is trying hard to win her back.It all leads to tension between Josh and Cole, both of them quick-tempered and full of testosterone, yet both of them at the same time struggling to act as good Christians.As the story progresses we learn more about Cole and his background, including an abusive father and an abusive stepfather. We also learn Josh's devastating secret.This is a well-written, very readable book. Characters are strongly portrayed, especially the three main ones, Cole, Josh and Emily.In particular, we see clearly their struggles to behave as good Christians, while at the same time dealing with such issues as bullying, relationships, self-esteem, alcohol, teenage pregnancy, abortion and body image.I look forward to the author's next book.