Vegan Virgin Valentine

Another novel from Mackler (The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things), that shows she can create great characters. Mara Valentine is a type A personality. She's been accepted to a prestigious college and is competing for valedictorian with her ex-boyfriend. She's even got a part time job and everything seems to be going perfect. But then V, Mara's niece who is only a year younger than her, shows up and V and Mara couldn't be less alike. V smokes pot, is into acting, and hooks up with Mara's ex-boyfriend. But Mara is about to figure out who she really is and not who she thinks her parents want her to be. With a not-always-easy relationship with V, a new (and older) boyfriend, and lots of trial and error, Mara may just learn how to really live.

Mackler make some really good characters. I love Mara and V, and Mara's boyfriend too. I love the journey she takes and feel the tension. There is lots of conflict and lots of emotions and it was just a good story. It isn't how I would have resolved Mara's situation, but then I am very different from Mara and her decision is true to herself and the journey she takes throughout the novel.