Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

High school senior Mara Valentine is an overachiever. her life consists of competing with her ex-boyfriend for class valedictorian and her early decision acceptance to Yale. Mara's life is thrown into chaos when her niece V, who is only one year younger than Mara, comes to live with the family. She makes out with Mara's ex on the first day of school and constantly makes cutting comments about the limitations of her aunt's life plans. In the midst of this, Mara falls in love with her 22-year-old boss who hasn't gone to college and is forced to reassess her goals.

2005 Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

I found myself sucked into this story and wanted to keep reading right through to the end. I really enjoyed the characters of Mara and V, especially their dynamic and how each of them changed. While I liked the relationship between Mara and James, though it seemed somewhat unbelievable to me at times.