Synopsis

Tess and her best friend, Dee have been inseparable since they were six years old. College days are upon them and Dee has moved away, leaving Tess to figure out how to maneuver through this new experience without her. To make matters worse, Dee has ghosted her. Will being apart make her fall to pieces? Or will it give her the freedom to grow up on her own?

This coming-of-age story touches on very real feelings of what happens when best friends are pulled apart by life’s circumstances. Throw in a little sports, boy drama, and joining sororities and it is quite the interesting first semester of college.

Review

This is a fairly quick read about Tess (aka Reese aka Sutton) who is a college freshman that plays soccer, decides to join a sorority, and her adventures in her first semester at school.

I felt like the voice of the narrator was that of someone young and inexperienced and set just the right tone for what happens throughout the story. I appreciated the author addressing issues that students might face in college or in greek life – from hazing to waning friendship to navigating the dating world. I felt like I was back in college experiencing many of these situations.

I also like how we watched Tess struggle to improve her soccer skills to become a starter. It just shows if you want something badly enough you will work for it and not become complacent.

Since I am a member of a sorority, I felt like what was portrayed was fairly accurate. Everyone has a different experience in Greek life, but what Tess experienced was similar to my own experience – all good of course. But I appreciated the side story of Reagan because that addressed different issues.

Tess’s best friend Dee is at another college and has “ghosted” Tess. It could be settling in and making new friends or it might be something else as we learn towards the end of the story. But true friendship will win out in the end.

If you are looking for a short story to read over lunch, give this one a try.  We give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Charley Dillion is a lover of young adult fiction novels. Her first novel, Free to Grow, was inspired by that love and Charley has plans to continue writing about our beloved Tess as she lives through her college years.

Charley lives in Boise, ID with her husband, son, dog, and cat. She enjoys watching and playing soccer, being involved in her sorority as an alumna (much like Tess!), and being a mom to her three human and fur children.