Wow! A very well-written and powerful story, this! Definitely not at all what I was expecting when I read the synopsis and signed up in hopes of being a First Reads winner of an advance copy to read and review. I applaud the author's ability to write a YA novel that transcends the YA genre. This book is written with an all too rare maturity, allowing those of us who are no longer teens to read and enjoy it without getting bogged down in the typical teenage simplicity and drama. I also appreciate the author's restraint, rather than overloading her work with a number of mentions of current pop culture.

I expected an all too typical, petulant read, but instead found a well-crafted, intricately woven tale worthy of timeless literature. Therese Fowler has solidly combines the old classics overtones with the modern age, producing a strong love story without overdoing it, createing a network of characters, each whose integrity is severely demanded. All players have been weighted, measured, questioned and found unwanting. No-one is allowed to slip the hook.

It isn't often that I discover the gift of a book that grabs me from the start, pulls me under, drags me along without allowing pause for breath, earns my approval of each and every hero/heroine, and finishes with my ultimate, unclouded, unchallenged approval. Also, I can definitely appreciate the moral and character warnings along the way- I hope today's youth read this and approve of it as much as I have, as well as taking from it a very serious and much-needed lesson.

I wholeheartedly approve of the entire book, which is not something I say very often- most books have me finding fault with something. Of course, I found myself urging "tell the truth from the beginning", as I often do (thinking the story could still go on in the manner it was headed, despite doing so), and frustrated when the story didn't take my direction, but I understand, and in this case, I don't mind. The teenage mind isn't often inclined to be thus open and up front about things.

Exposure<i/>, is what I have wanted and expected so many other current, popular YA books to have been, soldiering on where others have failed. For once, I have not been disappointed.

Be sure to read all the way to the last page- the author's notes and acknowledgments are not to be missed!