Kirkus Reviews
Having been deserted by her father before she was born, Josie fears abandonment and heartbreak. Her mother fuels this fear with her own reluctance to pursue relationships. Luckily Josie's best friend, Liv, encourages her to make connections with her family and with the very cute and enigmatic Matt. When the parents of Josie's estranged father move back to the area, Josie forges a friendship with her grandfather that gives her some insight into her roots. A tragedy brings the truth about Josie's family to light and provides an unexpected opportunity to forge new relationships. Believable characters and smart dialogue make this story both memorable and entertaining. Fast-paced and full of little twists, Josie's story is a sweet and savvy coming-of-age tale. The story is only slightly marred by its unfortunately saccharine ending, in which everything conveniently works out for the best. Readers will root for Josie and Matt's budding romance, sympathize with the difficulties surrounding unconventional families and be inspired by Liv's honesty and quirkiness. Hopeful and endearing. (Fiction. 14 & up)
Publishers Weekly
Like the Gilmore Girls, the Gardner girls are close friends as well as mother and daughter. When she was 16, Kate dropped out of high school to give birth to Josie, while her high school sweetheart, Paul (the father), moved to Arizona with his family. Now, 16 years later, Paul's parents have returned, pushing the past back into the present. Although Josie has no desire to meet her father, fate intervenes and secrets are revealed to Josie and Kate about the circumstances of Josie's birth. Adding to the drama are new men in the lives of both Gardners, and a pregnancy scare for Josie's sassy best friend, Liv, which allow for additional discussions about teen pregnancy and safe sex. Josie's dry sense of humor (“Here I am, asking the question to end all questions... and this is what I get. My head is pounding. I need coffee”) helps balance out the heavier themes. Things wrap up a bit neatly and Josie tends toward the theatrical, but Friend (Bounce) weaves a strong story that should hook readers. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)
Booklist
This isn't just an issue-driven story. There is a real plot, filled with fast, immediate dialogue.
Children's Literature
- Annie Laura Smith
Josie finds herself becoming the mother as her mom reverts to a teen fantasy and a romance of her own. Because Josie has had her single mother to herself for sixteen years, sharing her with her mother's new romantic interest becomes problematic. Now that both mother and daughter have boyfriends, their family companionship becomes less involved. Josie wonders whether her new boyfriend will hurt her just like her father hurt her mother by leaving her to become a single parent. The dynamics of her paternal grandparent's return to town and the relationship of mother and daughter with their new romantic interests provide excellent conflict and resolutions throughout the story. It focuses on the issues of dating, teen pregnancy, and safe sex. These teen issues are similar to Friend's earlier books, Lush and Perfect. These two books address alcoholism and eating disorders. Each of the three books present issues about which teens need to be aware because these challenges face many adolescents. Reviewer: Annie Laura Smith
VOYA
- Nikita Agrawal
For Keeps opens with Josie, an adolescent without—but not in search of—a father or boyfriend. As complications arise, however, Josie finds herself reluctantly accepting new truths and making new choices, changing her life and the way she lives it. Although characterization remains shallow and the plot predictable, Friend humorously captures the universal challenge of transitioning from youth to adulthood. Friend's tale is a great read for any early teenager! Reviewer: Nikita Agrawal, Teen Reviewer
VOYA
- Isabel Crevasse
Fun and engrossing, this novel is populated with surprisingly realistic, human characters. If Josie and Kate's relationship begins a bit too Gilmore Girls-ian, it quickly evolves into a real mother-daughter relationship, complete with frustration, tears, and awkward make-ups. Teens will recognize—and laugh at—Josie's perfect description of the "Makeup Mafia." Although not a new story, it is an enchanting read. Teens will have fun reading. Reviewer: Isabel Crevasse, Teen Reviewer
VOYA
- Lauri J. Vaughan
Josie Gardner and her single mother, Kate, have navigated through life without Josie's father, Paul Tucci, for the last sixteen years quite happily. Signs of his imminent arrival—specifically the return of Paul's elderly parents to the small town where Kate grew up and has raised Josie—are not particularly welcome. Enter Jonathan—Kate's first serious romance in years—to sufficiently refocus her attention just in time. Enter, also, Matt Rigsby—Josie's first serious romance ever. Equilibrium is short-lived in the Gardner household, however. Jonathan's presence is taking far more of her mother's time than Josie would like. Best friend Liv is not being terribly sympathetic—in fact, she thinks Josie's being selfish. The relationship with Matt is heating up, and what is she to do about grandfather Tucci—who does not know that he is a grandfather but enjoys showing up at the coffee shop where Josie works? Through Josie's snappy narration, Friend manages to make the reader feel like a regular at the coffee shop rather than a detached observer. The pacing is excellent, and sharp transitions keep the story moving. Friend artfully cloaks several somewhat-serious coming-of-age issues in the winsome adventures of Josie and Liv. Josie is forced to confront her feelings about the father she believes skipped out before she was born, as well as the assumptions about her parents' relationship. On the surface, this novel is a light teen read. Enough thoughtful moments will keep it on the radar long past when similar titles will have faded from memory. Reviewer: Lauri J. Vaughan
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up—Josie's junior year is more eventful than she had expected. While navigating her first serious romance, she must come to terms with the fact that her mother has a boyfriend for the first time in 16 years. Josie has never known her father, who moved out of state with his family before she was born. When her paternal grandparents move back into town, she has to face the possibility of meeting him. This fast-paced story takes many twists and turns as the teen discovers the truth behind her parents' separation and her father's absence. Josie is humorous and sincere as she narrates both her mother's struggle and her own to let go of the past and embrace new relationships. The book discusses sex and abortion, and includes adult language and underage drinking. Many readers will be able to relate to this protagonist, whose strength and maturity set a positive example. Friend skillfully portrays the challenges of adolescence while telling an engaging story with unique and genuine characters.—Erin Carrillo, formerly at Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL
