Kumquat May, I'll Always Love You
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Abandoned by her mother, Olivia Greene decides to take care of herself—if only she can keep it a secret
Life’s been strange for Olivia Greene ever since her mother, Luna Lee, went to the store for margarine and never came back. Afraid of being sent to live with her terrible uncle—or worse, his children—Olivia carries out elaborate schemes to convince the people of Kumquat that Luna Lee still lives at home. Absolutely no one can find out—except, of course, for Olivia’s best friend, Rosella.
But Olivia’s carefully constructed life threatens to fall apart with the arrival of the incredibly hot Raymond Mooney, whose family just moved back to Kumquat under mysterious circumstances. If he can tell Olivia his secrets, can’t she tell him hers? Or would that threaten the lies Olivia has so carefully woven to protect herself?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Olivia is a senior in high school. Two years ago her mother Luna Lee walked out the door to buy some margarine and didn't come back. Olivia's father is dead, and she can't stand the idea of living with her bigoted uncle and his family, so she pretends to the whole town that her mother is still around. This is not as difficult as one might expect. She buys her mother's weekly supply of romance novels and impersonates her on the phone when the need arises, and the self-absorbed people of Kumquat never seem to notice when they last saw Luna Lee. Though Olivia lives as an independent adult, Grant is quick to point out that the privileges are sometimes outweighed by the costsloneliness, isolation, even despair. Olivia's romance with Raymond, a friend from childhood, falls apart when their interests conflict. Though Raymond's character is a bit caricatured, humor and pathos are well mixed here, and some of Grant's descriptive passages are lovely. (12-up)
