All That We Never Were

Kellen sets out to break hearts with her high-angst new adult debut. After 19-year-old high school senior Leah Jones’s parents die in a car accident with her in the car, Leah feels like she’s just existing, never again to feel pleasure. Then her older brother and new guardian, Oliver, takes a high-salary job that requires travel three weeks out of every month. He asks his best friend Axel Nguyen, 29, to take Leah in while he’s out of town. There’s just one problem: Leah has been secretly crushing on Axel for years. As Axel coaxes Leah out of her grief—something that takes considerable effort—Leah’s love reignites and Axel develops feelings of his own. It’s a taboo relationship that won’t work for all readers—and it certainly doesn’t work for Oliver; when he learns of the affair, he tears the lovers apart. Kellen skillfully pulls readers along on this emotional roller-coaster ride, however, with West’s crisp translation making for easy reading. The cliffhanger ending frustrates, but those who like their romances fraught and soapy will find plenty to enjoy here. Agent: Pilar Lafuente, Editorial Planeta. (Aug.)