Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway

Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN 9781471144134
(Age: 15+) Readers will laugh out loud and sympathise with a heart wrenching story as they enjoy Robin Benway's, Emmy and Oliver. After the kidnapping of her best childhood friend - Oliver - in 2nd grade, Emmy has wanted to be in charge of her own life and break free from her overprotective parents. Now, in her final year of school and on the cusp of adulthood, Oliver is back. He's not the little boy Emmy remembers from next door - he is a tall, handsome stranger. Though he isn't the carefree little boy he once was. Oliver is dealing with a tumultuous past - he must come to terms with being kidnapped and lied to all these years by his own father and learn to fit in to his new life with a mother he barely remembers and her new family - the one she started after he was snatched away.
Emmy and Oliver have always shared a connection that neither can ignore - one that picks right up where it left off. Benway writes with humour and captures poignantly what it's like to be a teenager facing grown up decisions. Readers will love her easy-to-read style of writing and connect with her surprisingly real characters, though should be aware of the occasional profanity she uses in order to express the raw emotions of an aching heart. Benway drops the pace slightly midway through the novel, but finishes strong. This novel is recommended for public and school libraries for mature teen audiences. (15+).
Rhiannon Mesner