Life Without Friends

Reader reviewed by Bookworm9

In this sorta-sequel to "Friends for Life," Beverley is dealing with the aftermath of the death of a classmate who was murdered by her (Beverley's) ex-boyfriend. Beverley is being ostracized at school, and blames herself because she knows she should have spoken out about her boyfriend's abuse, which might have prevented the murder. She's also dealing with a difficult relationship with her father, whom she's lived with since her mother's suicide. Her severe depression leaves her wary of relationships with everyone from peers to her young stepmother, but she stumbles into one with a young groundskeeper at the park. Derrick, a high-school dropout, seems completely opposite from college-bound Beverley, but he turns out to be just what she needs. But can she admit her past to him?

This is very different from the typical teen romance novel. White does an extraordinary job of showing Beverley for who she is-- although her awkwardness in speaking can be excrutiating to read at times, it's nevertheless authentic.