Stand Off

Meet Ryan Dean West. Don't call him Ryan. He is now a senior at Pine Mountain Academy. He is 15. He is in love with Annie Ackerman. He is getting over the death of his best friend Joey. He is now captain of the rugby team. He is not getting over the death of his best friend Joey. Oh, he also has just been assigned a freshman roommate. A twelve year old roommate named Sam Abernathy. The Abernathy is as cute as a button, highly claustrophobic, not yet in the throes of puberty, an amazing cook, and may just be well beyond his twelve years. Ryan Dean is determined NOT to befriend Sam. He will NOT talk to him. He will certainly NOT be nice to him. But if you know Ryan Dean, you know none of these NOTs will be possible. For Ryan Dean has the biggest heart of anyone you will meet and even though it was broken when Joey died, his friends will help him see his way back. This book is the sequel to Winger, which if you check out my blog, you will see that I LOVED. Ryan Dean is funny- laugh out loud at my desk during silent reading funny. He is insecure and secure at the same time. He is a leader who everyone looks up to even if he doesn't see it. He does NOT cuss. At least not out loud. He is obsessed with Annie, who is just as obsessed back. This sequel takes Ryan Dean and a cast of amazing characters through his senior year. He makes new friends, he experiences new things and he learns that maybe, just maybe, with the help of his friends, nothing terrible will happen to him. I can't recommend this series enough. It is for a more mature reader, there is lots of talk about sex, and boy things, and language, but that is what makes it feel so authentic. So if you haven't met Ryan Dean yet, start at the beginning and get your box of tissues handy. He will break your heart in only the best ways. Happy reading my friends!