cover image He's with Me

He's with Me

Tamara Summers. Scholastic, $5.99 (202pp) ISBN 978-0-439-91850-3

The i ? bikinis series gets off to a spunky start with this easy-reading tale centering on soon-to-be 16-year-old Lexie who-the opening line announces-""hated bikinis."" In fact, she has stashed the new bikini her mother gave her under her bed, refusing to wear it in summer camp. Also attending the camp is Jake, the ""outgoing, adorable, smart, and funny"" best friend of Lexie's twin brother Colin. When Jake bemoans the fact that another camper, the ""blonde, beautiful, and blissfully mean"" (and never-denied) Bree is determined to date him, Colin suggests that Jake and Lexie pretend that they are going out to discourage Bree's advances. Unfortunately, Lexie has long harbored a crush on Jake and, as their ruse continues, falls in love with him. (""Why does he have to be so cute? Why can't this be real? When is it going to end? And... what's going to happen to me when this is over?"") But her anguish is for naught. No surprise, Jake feels the same about their not-so-faux romance and, after Lexie is forced to don her bikini when Bree steals her one-piece swimsuit, he finally gives Lexie a long-awaited first kiss. Plenty corny but plenty sweet, this may be a satisfying combination for bikini-clad teens looking for a breezy beach read. Ages 12-up.