Review: The second in the series is just as good as the first!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 20, 2013
Having read the first in the LIVE! From Brentwood High series I kind of knew what to expect from this installment. I already had a sense of who the character were and how they reacted. So reading this second one was just a continuation for me. But I don't think that reading the first one in the series would be required to enjoy this book. The story does a good job of standing on it's own and Baer does a wonderful job of presenting relative background information when necessary.This book deals with sexual harassment, in many forms. I kind of had a feeling that Molly - who becomes the focus of this book - was having issues at the end of the last book. So it wasn't a shock to me when she reveals her secret. But what did shock me were the feelings she had attached to what was happening to her. I know in my head that people who are victims can "rationalize" what has happened to them. It was really sad to read about many teens who had horrible experiences that they just kind of ignored, like it's not a big deal. Those kinds of feelings were hard for me to read, but I think they were appropriate for the story. Without them I don't think the message would have been as clear.I don't know if I just didn't pick up on it as much in the first book, or if it was more prevalent this this one, but I noticed that Sarah was more apt to mention prayer and Bible versus. Given Sarah's past, she's in a wheelchair due to a horrible accident, she seems like the character that would be the most upset at God and the world, but she actually is the level-headed one. I liked her role in the story as the neutral party. I can't wait to keep reading the series and see if she becomes the main focus of one of the stories. I think she'd make a good main character.I have to say again that I think a series like this was much needed. Like all YA novels it introduces a moral decision, but it does it in a very realistic way. I'm at book two and I am really enjoying the series.I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for a review. This review is my truthful honest opinion.