Putting Heather Together Again

Date rape is the theme of this slow-paced, meandering novel. Heather, 17, is beautiful, shy and still suffering from the death of her mother four years ago. Heather's father has since married Maggie, a warm-hearted physician. Together with Maggie's 17-year-old daughter, Binnie, and Heather's boyfriend, Vince, the couple have established a strong support system for Heather. Yet when Vince senses that Heather is harboring feelings for Harris, her previous boyfriend, the pair have a falling out. Then Heather meets Joe, a young electrician with a surprising sensitivity that assuages her heartache; he takes advantage of Heather's vulnerability and rapes her. Ashamed, she keeps the incident to herself, but Maggie ultimately gets Heather the counseling and medical care she requires. Unfortunately, the novel's lame dialogue, drab main character and melodramatic writing tend to obscure the author's message--that sometimes more assertive behavior can prevent unwanted advances. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)