Dealing with Blue

by Stacia Leigh

“Name your price, Suzy Blue. Everyone’s got one.”—J.J Radborne, the charming bad boy, needs a pretend girlfriend? Bonfires, fun, and a possible prom date…why not? Add personal driving lessons to the mix, and things get a lot more interesting.

But J.J. keeps showing up at Suzy's cramped single-wide trailer unannounced. What if he finds out about her mom? What if he gets a peek inside? What if he tells his friends? She’s got enough problems at home. Maybe it’s time to get out of this town…

“You’re making a huge mistake, J.J.”—So says Gemma, J.J.’s ex-girlfriend. She’s turning up the heat in a confusing mind game, and J.J. knows exactly who to team up with: Suzy Blue. She may seem uptight, but she’s cute, convenient, and even sorta funny. She has this great laugh and—it doesn't matter. The most important thing: Gemma’s already jealous. Might as well stick with it, right? Hey, Gemma started it; he’s only playing along.

So, yeah. Suzy…perfect. Now, if she’d only cooperate.

Dealing with Blue is a stand-alone love story set in a fictional small town in western Washington. It's about a strong girl and a bad boy finding trust while they peel back the layers to discover what's true.

**FINALIST 2015 PNWA Literary Contest for Young Adults**
**FINALIST 2016 PNWA Nancy Pearl book Award**

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Love Story, Mental Illness, Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance

223 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 2015

About the author

Stacia Leigh grew up in Montana's Flathead Valley and knows a thing or two about driving a stick and chasing chickens. She currently resides in the PNW with a couple rescue mutts, two artists, and one very special computer nerd.

She's won first, second and third place in PNWA's annual literary contest for the short story, children's chapter, and young adult categories. Her debut novel, Dealing with Blue, was a finalist for the 2016 Nancy Pearl Book Award.

She enjoys writing what she loves to read, a flirty romance that's light on the angst and heavy on the fun.

Visit her on Facebook or her website www.StaciaLeigh.com

Reviews

[Brian Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. Dealing with Blue takes you on a memorable journey. I definitely recommend this book!

[Bethany Lyke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, I didn't want it to end! I do wish there was an epilogue I would love to see what happened years to come. What happened with mom and dad. How did their relationship progress........But all in all super sweet, fun, quick read that I would not mind my teen reading!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m such a sucker for the fake-girlfriend trope and this hit all the right spots. It was fun, it was sweet, and I really enjoyed getting to read this trope in the YA format.

Suzy gets sent to live with her mother in the trailer park when her father gets deployed overseas. She needs a way out of the trailer that is suffocating her and J.J. is her way out. Even if the situation is a little conniving. He wants to make his ex-girlfriend jealous, and Suzy fits the bill. In exchange for driving lessons, Suzy agrees to be JJ’s fake-girlfriend.

What I really loved about this story was how easy it was to read and get lost in Suzy and JJ’s storyline. Like many other readers, I’m curious to see where their story goes from here. I want to see where their happily ever after takes them.

Suzy is extremely smart, and has a lot to deal with, but J.J. helps lighten things up.

[Lori Caprio Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh to go back to being a teenager…. NOT… loved this glimpse into teen life as JJ tries to make his exgirlfriend jealous by making Suzy Blue his new girl… she agrees just to get out of the town… loved this book it was brilliantly written and I enjoyed the entire storyline. The characters have you rooting them on. Well worth the read.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue the nerdy professor, meets popular boy. She has to move in with her hoarder mom in her trailer next door to JJ. She agrees to help win back the girl he thinks he wants back. Only to fail for her, but he has to prove his truth. She doesn't want him to know her real living situation, but he finds out and wants to protect her. What will happen next. Can not wait.

[Deirdre Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Stacey and J.J were trying to find their voices in this story during their messy and confusing teenage years. And how you can see and experience each moment with them. I can’t wait to read more books by the author.

[Bridget Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teenage drama and how they deal with it.Emma and JJ break up. To make her jealous he wants Suzy to pretend there seeing each other.She agrees only if he will teach her to drive

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!!! Young love ,great plot, touchy subjects, awesome characters...such a beautiful struggle with a great outcome. Hoping for a follow up with their happily ever after...

[Joleen Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult romance that starts fake and gets real. Slow burn , fun read with a lot of family problems. JJ is a sweet character and I felt for Blue!

[Samantha Waldow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great young adult book. The characters are great. The story really flowed. Great read

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dealing With Blue by Stacia Leigh is an amazing read. This book has a wonderful story and interesting characters. I absolutely loved reading this book.

[Linda Rea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really entertaining book! Suzy is very smart and is now in JJ’s group for the project but Suzy quiet and shy not in JJ league at all. When JJs girlfriend breaks up with him he’s needs a way to make her jealous so he asks Suzy to fake date him. Suzy agrees if he promises to teach her how to drive so she can get away from here, but JJ realizes he doesn’t want her to go. Suzy is hiding a huge secret but she doesn’t want anyone to know least of all JJ. This story was sweet and gave you a look into how a teenager deals with things not going right in their world.

[Lazetta Krause · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book before and now have read it again after Ms Leigh's updates. The book is a fun read and hard to put down once you have started. Love the characters. Cute story of family, friendships and young summer love.

[Jenny Juang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the kindle sample and then bought the ebook because I wanted to find out what happened to Blue. Well developed characters kept me reading. I enjoyed being grossed out by the vivid imagery of living with a hoarder, the strength and determination of Blue's character, and even found myself liking against my will Mr. Cool's transformation to Mr Warm and Fuzzy. Great first novel by this author and looking forward to what's got to come next, Will's story. All around a feel good story.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suzy is in high school and her father, who she has lived with for many years, has been deployed overseas. Her father arranged that she move in with her mother who lives in the same area. Her mother has a problem with hoarding. The main read is growing up, young love and the games that are played in high school.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Tina Wegner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Great story that brought you right into Suzy's life. I liked how the relationship between Suzy and J.J. evolved. This book includes a girl, a boy and storyline you can relate to. I recommend this book to all young adult readers looking for a fast paced read.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, spicy YA romance novel with great characters and conflict. I finished this and found myself missing the characters and wanting to know what they were up to. Always the sign of a good book for me!