Time Will Tell

This contemporary coming-of-age romance easily hooks readers, but in the end it disappoints. New Jersey teens Eva Caldwell and Casey McClellan are best friends and destined soulmates, though they’re only beginning to explore the flirtatious side of their relationship. After Eva’s parents were murdered in a mugging, Eva was forced to live with her abusive uncle. Her only refuge is with Casey and her supportive family, and neither girl wants to jeopardize that by exploring romance and risking a breakup. But, when Casey leaves for college, Eva runs away and cuts all ties, disappearing for six years. The chronicle of their final spring and summer together is intimately and beautifully written, with a deep thread of emotion that makes it easy to cheer for both girls. Unfortunately, when Eva’s uncle dies and she discovers the secret he’s been hiding in the basement, the emotional focus of the book collapses into an implausible and melodramatic mess with an attempted twist ending that doesn’t remotely satisfy. (Dec.)