Review: Step-sibling sublime
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 31, 2013
I have never read a YA book with this step-sibling love plot.  [I suspect there is plenty of porn that uses this plot.].  I am happy to report that April Brookshire has pulled it off.  Gianna, like many teenage girls who fall in love, submits to a hormonal fog, pushing aside all that she has accomplished (excellent gpa, reliable school and dance class attendance, staying out of trouble) to pursue  the boy she wants (her step-brother).  Handsome, artistic Caleb has no trouble ditching his past (a police record, a no-attachments string of willing young women) so that he can match up (in one week) with popular, exceptionally attractive, intelligent, athletic Gianna.Plot regrets: I am sorry the mother, a housewife whose teenage years and dreams were interrupted with an unplanned pregnancy, leads such a troubled life.  She works alone in the kitchen making meals with no assistance from the rest of her selfish family, who come when she calls "dinner's ready!" and (sensibly) requests they wash their hands.  I am sorry Gianna's dad, a plastic surgeon, jumped ship for another city and life far from his two young children.  They need him, and his re-married ex-wife could use a hand raising them, especially their newly-rebellious daughter. *spoiler*  The new husband, Caleb's dad, made a fool's choice when he kept his son's secret over openness and problem-solving with his wife.  He made his (now empty) bed.  Back to his bachelor condo he goes.