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Scars of Youth
Scars of Youth
!! This is the Second Edition of Scars of Youth. This edition has been expanded and contains newer material !!
When Jessica Fowler returns to her Swiss boarding school for her senior year, she never expects to fall for Kyle. He's gorgeous, intriguing ... and only fifteen. Way too young for her. But she can't deny her attraction, despite their age difference, and the more she gets to know him, the bigger her crush becomes.
Kyle Andersen is new to the school, and has left his tiny American compound in Saudi Arabia eager to start a new life. As soon as he sees Jessica in homeroom on the first day of class, he is captivated by her exciting energy and girl-next-door looks. He knows, however, that such a cool, older girl would never be interested in someone as young as him.
Bonding over a shared love of heavy-metal, Jessica and Kyle begin a tender friendship that will see them getting closer and closer. But misunderstandings and jealousy get in their way and keep them from realizing what they both want.
Just when it seems they've found the happiness they've both longed for, a betrayal tears them apart and their love young is shattered. As Jessica struggles with self-acceptance and her behavioral problems, Kyle refuses to address what's happened, even as her explorers a relationship with a new friend.
Jessica and Kyle must both learn to forgive or they'll lose each other forever.
Scars of Youth is a full length coming-of-age high-school romance that explores sexual themes and contains strong language. It is recommended for 17+ readers
When Jessica Fowler returns to her Swiss boarding school for her senior year, she never expects to fall for Kyle. He's gorgeous, intriguing ... and only fifteen. Way too young for her. But she can't deny her attraction, despite their age difference, and the more she gets to know him, the bigger her crush becomes.
Kyle Andersen is new to the school, and has left his tiny American compound in Saudi Arabia eager to start a new life. As soon as he sees Jessica in homeroom on the first day of class, he is captivated by her exciting energy and girl-next-door looks. He knows, however, that such a cool, older girl would never be interested in someone as young as him.
Bonding over a shared love of heavy-metal, Jessica and Kyle begin a tender friendship that will see them getting closer and closer. But misunderstandings and jealousy get in their way and keep them from realizing what they both want.
Just when it seems they've found the happiness they've both longed for, a betrayal tears them apart and their love young is shattered. As Jessica struggles with self-acceptance and her behavioral problems, Kyle refuses to address what's happened, even as her explorers a relationship with a new friend.
Jessica and Kyle must both learn to forgive or they'll lose each other forever.
Scars of Youth is a full length coming-of-age high-school romance that explores sexual themes and contains strong language. It is recommended for 17+ readers
308 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2015
About the author
Shane Morales
3 books14 followersAs a multi-genre author living on the fringes of society, Shane delights in questioning authority and challenging social norms. He writes true to his own teen experience and pens genuine young adult stories about first love and second chances. Featuring realistic teen behavior, his stories deal with serious topics such as underage drinking, teen sex, and mental illness.
His novels are written for mature readers who enjoy serious young adult stories.
Shane grew up during the eighties in an American compound in Saudi Arabia, and also attended a boarding school in Switzerland. Most of his stories are set at these locations.
His novels are written for mature readers who enjoy serious young adult stories.
Shane grew up during the eighties in an American compound in Saudi Arabia, and also attended a boarding school in Switzerland. Most of his stories are set at these locations.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 3, 2017
Take a bunch of teenagers at boarding school in Switzerland, add in minimal adult supervision and alcohol, and you get a novel full of lust, love, angst, and sex. That’s basically Scars of Youth. And it reminds me why I’m the meanest parent in town because I insist on a curfew for my teenage daughter.
I had a couple of reservations about Scars of Youth. It’s written as a Young Adult novel, but set in 1985. I was a teenager in 1985, so I enjoyed that apsect. But I’m not sure how interested modern teens are in reading such “old school” stuff. My teenager daughter is all into modern (John Green, Jojo Moyes) or dystopian (Divergent, Hunger Games).
Also, the writing style is a lot darker and more gritty than the boarding school stories I remember reading in 1985 (e.g. Anne Digby’s Trebizon series. Yes, I remember 1985). I’m going to assume the setting in time and place (Switzerland, Saudi Arabia) is broadly accurate, yet I still wonder at the freedom these teens had. My 1980’s boarding school wasn’t nearly so liberal.
Reservations aside, it’s worth reading. The characters are excellent, the writing is better than most self-published novels, and the plot shows a scary if probably accurate insight into the teen mind. I’m definitely going to read the sequel, and I recommend this to anyone looking for a realistic and gritty look at teen life, as long as they don’t mind first person point of view. I love first person for the insight it gives, but I know a lot of authors find it totally annoying.
I guess the ultimate test is did I like this enough to buy the sequel. Yes, I did.
I had a couple of reservations about Scars of Youth. It’s written as a Young Adult novel, but set in 1985. I was a teenager in 1985, so I enjoyed that apsect. But I’m not sure how interested modern teens are in reading such “old school” stuff. My teenager daughter is all into modern (John Green, Jojo Moyes) or dystopian (Divergent, Hunger Games).
Also, the writing style is a lot darker and more gritty than the boarding school stories I remember reading in 1985 (e.g. Anne Digby’s Trebizon series. Yes, I remember 1985). I’m going to assume the setting in time and place (Switzerland, Saudi Arabia) is broadly accurate, yet I still wonder at the freedom these teens had. My 1980’s boarding school wasn’t nearly so liberal.
Reservations aside, it’s worth reading. The characters are excellent, the writing is better than most self-published novels, and the plot shows a scary if probably accurate insight into the teen mind. I’m definitely going to read the sequel, and I recommend this to anyone looking for a realistic and gritty look at teen life, as long as they don’t mind first person point of view. I love first person for the insight it gives, but I know a lot of authors find it totally annoying.
I guess the ultimate test is did I like this enough to buy the sequel. Yes, I did.
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November 21, 2018
being 100% honest, I would never recommend this book. I got it for free on my kindle and I now understand why. The storyline was predictable and I could skip up to 3 pages at a time while reading. I only finished this because I hate leaving books half read. I definitely prefer other books from this author.
January 23, 2022
A predictable but sweet and emotional book best suited to younger YA audience.
June 20, 2016
This was a great book about young love and second chances. The story starts with a glimpse at the current state of Jess and Kyle's lives and then we flash back to them meeting at boarding school with what is considered a huge age difference, at least when you're in school. What follows is how a love story about young love when it is developing. They make it through high school where they have had to deal with some real hard issues that would tear most grown ups apart. In the end it isn't their problems that may be the end of them after all. A great story of young love and the Scars it can leave.
June 30, 2016
Scars of youth by Shane Morales! I have not read a lot of new adult books. Shane grabbed my attention from the prologue. Jess is a senior and Kyle is a sophomore and they fell for each other right away. I thought Jess is going to be too mature for Kyle but they ended up teaching each other a lot about the real world. They thought nothing could touch them since they go to boarding school in Switzerland. They learn the truth about life and relationships. I absolutely loved this book. Shane Morales is now an author I would like to get to know better.
June 23, 2016
I cannot say enough good things about this book
This book is done in a setting that I have not read before, at a Swiss Boarding school. Now don't get me wrong I've read this book at least 4 times and each time it gets better and better..my cutos to the author you did an amazing job.
This book is done in a setting that I have not read before, at a Swiss Boarding school. Now don't get me wrong I've read this book at least 4 times and each time it gets better and better..my cutos to the author you did an amazing job.
May 7, 2016
Wow
This book was great to read. It tells of the emotional turmoil many young people go through while experiencing their first real relationship and so much more. This is a great book for those who like to read young adult romances. Going to read part two now.
This book was great to read. It tells of the emotional turmoil many young people go through while experiencing their first real relationship and so much more. This is a great book for those who like to read young adult romances. Going to read part two now.
May 25, 2016
This book is definitely worth buying. It has a great plot and a terrific writing structure. I realy enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read more of shane's work.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews