Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I chose this book from the First Reads list because several reviews said it was well written. And it is. But it went somewhere that crossed a line, for me. Maria defies her math teacher in class by sitting in a different seat than the one she was assigned. This act draws the attention another girl in class, Rocky. Rocky invites Maria to come to her house after school, and thus begins their relationship. The author captures the relationship between these two high school seniors (and their friends, boyfriends, college admissions, gossip/drama/angst) well. But the story took a darker turn that crossed a line, for me. It's something that might not bother other readers, and that's okay. It just didn't work for me. . . . SPOILER ALERT . . . . BIG SPOILERS . . . . Maria has a sexual relationship with Charlie, Rocky's father. For Charlie, Maria reminds him of a woman he knew growing up. A woman that was part of his first sexual experience. For Maria, Charlie represents money. Money for college tuition and to pay some her family's debts (they've fallen on tough times after her father was fired.) Charlie's money is a better option for Maria than working at Taco Bell or cleaning houses with her mother. Charlie takes Maria away to his other house so they can be alone. (A 2 hour drive one way. But promises to have Maria home that night so her mother won't worry. Secrets and lies....never a good beginning to any relationship.) They're caught with their pants down (literally) by Rocky and her latest hook-up. The book ends rather quickly (and a bit awkwardly) after that. Like I said above, some people may have no problem with this storyline. But it's not for me.