by Sara Zarr
First published 2008
Deanna Lambert was thirteen when her father caught her with Tommy Webber in the back seat of his Buick. Tommy was seventeen and supposed to be her brother Darren's friend. She wasn't in love with him. She didn't even like him. But that night outside the old Chart House restaurant in Montara changed everything. Years later, Deanna still carries the weight of that encounter. The small town has branded her as "one of those girls," and the label follows her everywhere. She dreams of breaking free from a life shaped entirely by her past mistakes. The narrow minded community seems determined to keep her trapped in their judgment. Deanna must find the strength to redefine herself on her own terms. This story explores how one moment can alter the course of a life and whether redemption is possible when everyone around you refuses to forget.
Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: redemption, small-town
Setting: Montara, Chart House
Period: Years Later
192 pages · Kindle Edition · Little, Brown Books for Young Readers