The Right Side of Reckless

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY MAY 17, 2021

In her sophomore novel, Grandison (A Love Hate Thing) writes a second-chance story for 17-year-old Guillermo Lozano, whose family moves to a new neighborhood, "quiet and clean" Briar Pointe, after he is granted probation following time in juvenile detention for simple assault. While doing community service at Briar Park Community Center, he meets Regan London, his supervisor's daughter. Sixteen-year-old Regan is dating her school's football star, Troy, and isn't interested in her father's set view of her future as an accountant, but she's immediately drawn to Guillermo. The two are warned to stay away from each other, but as Troy becomes more disrespectful toward Regan, and Guillermo slowly finds his calling in mentoring others, the pull between them becomes unavoidable. Through a magnetic BIPOC cast, the novel explores a range of situations that come with feeling lost, meeting expectations, and experiencing pressure from peers and loved ones. Though the story's center drags a bit, Guillermo and Regan's alternating voices stand solidly on their own as the characters create an accepting, endearing romance built on respect between partners. Ages 13–up.