Right Where I Belong

When Natalia Lopez’s father discards his third wife for another conquest, the disillusioned 17-year-old swears off dating and marriage, and accompanies her broken-hearted stepmother, Maureen, to Miami for a fresh start. Far from her native Spain, Natalia makes friends (including characters from the author’s previous novels, First Date and Starring Me) and catches the eye of Spencer, the most popular and wealthy boy at her new school. It’s class clown (and pastor’s son) Brian Younger, however, who makes Natalia wonder whether God will hold her to her no-romance vow. The relationships—and the faith of some involved —grow as a very mature Natalia helps Maureen through a hard time, teaches immigrants at an ASL class, and finds her calling on a mission trip to Costa Rica. The squeaky-clean Christian school environment might cause a few eyes to roll, but an abundance of real-life problems like divorce, depression, fitting in at school, workaholic parents, and figuring out one’s purpose in life should keep this story relevant for many teens, regardless of how important faith is to them. A guide for reader groups is included. Ages12–up. Agent: Jenni Burke, (Dec.)