Originally published in England (where it was titled Diving In), the Love Trilogy's first volume is a brisk-paced romance spiked with introspection. Athletic and independent, Colette (named after her feminist mother's favorite writer) dreams of the perfect romance—a relationship of equals in which sex is as emotionally meaningful as it is physically satisfying. Amorous sparks fly when Colette grows closer to Art, a boy she has long admired from a distance. Attractive and exciting as she finds him, Colette feels that the sexually sophisticated poor-little-rich-boy Art is rushing her into a level of physical intimacy she's not ready for. Colette must find a way to balance her genuine passion with her equally strong wish not to go too far too fast. Broadly drawn but appealing feminist posturings co-exist with fairly standard romance novel action: one moment Colette is a textbook lovestruck teen pining for Art's call, and practically the next she's putting her self-defense training to good use, protecting a classmate against would-be sexual aggressors. Though some of the characterizations veer toward the stereotypical (Colette's earthy, housework-phobic mother and Art's appearance-oriented stepmother, for example) Colette's narration is fresh, frank and intelligent. The authenticity of the British setting is further enhanced by exotic (to American ears) local slang (gobsmacked, fug, daft), translated in a glossary at the end. Teens will likely want to spring for the next two installments (Sex
and Go!) also being released this month. Ages 14-up. (July)
