“Louisa May Knight, the intellectual, and Lex Pelleterri, the soccer superstar, were childhood sweethearts. Lex, with his irreverent, outgoing personality brought out the fun-loving
side of his serious next-door neighbor, Lu. Together they experienced the excitement of first love and shared their dreams for the future—until their well-meaning parents forced them apart.”
Lex and Lu by J. Santiago is a compelling book that deals with teen pregnancy and its trauma and after-effects. Louisa May’s ongoing struggle with the event that changed her life is complex and well-drawn. You heart will be in your throat when the details and aftermath are slowly revealed. Lu opens up as the story unfolds, and you’ll be rooting for her all the way to the end.
This book deals with teenage angst, parental struggles, and grief. The past shared by the characters is much more than a dramatic device. There are great supporting characters. I appreciated the extra care and attention given to the secondary characters. I like an author who thinks beyond the two main characters and takes time to build a believable network of friends and family around them.
Young and old can identify or learn some things from these characters and their story. It really focused on how anger, hurt and inner-pain can spill over and ooze into the fabric of someone's life. All of life's happenings feel personal and are felt in different ways. It is interesting to read how both of these characters try to guard themselves or shield others from the inside turmoil they endure. While all the while we see first-hand that their actions and reactions are like a ripple effect, spreading out and effecting other characters in many different, and thought provoking ways.
Lex and Lu is a beautiful and emotional contemporary romantic drama. Every element, every character, all combine and contribute to the emotionally intense world author Jennifer Santiago creates. If you enjoy books that are character driven, deal with issues and emotions that are real, but give you hope, then you will love Lex and Lu. This book is full of angst. It's an emotional journey and the author does an amazing job of taking you through the life of a girl who thought she was ruined, but never gave up, and never stopped loving. I could not put it down. You will not be disappointed! This book will stick to me. When asked for a book recommendation, I will give this one.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Greenleaf Book Group.
