Book Reviews and More: 10 Steps to Girlfriend Status - Cynthia T. Toney

8 Notes to a Nobody
Bird Face Book 1
Cynthia T. Toney
Write Integrity Press
ISBN 9781938092480
ASIN B014RC09K2

This past summer author Susan Peek posted a list of Catholic Teen Fiction a day for June, I believe the list originally comes from Theresa Linden. Of the 30 books in the list I had already read and reviewed 20 of the titles and will likely read another 7 or 8 of them. It has proved to be an introduction to some great stories. I have discovered some authors that are now amongst my favourites. But the title of the first book in this series, 8 Notes to a Nobody, really grabbed my attention. And to be honest I had bought books 2 and 3 before even finishing book 1. So this book was the second by Cynthia T. Toney, that I have read, but it will not be my last.

What I love about the books by Cynthia T. Tooney is that they are good clean reads. They are not overly preachy, but they do teach a lesson. The characters do have struggles and often make mistakes. But they are not smutty, they do not portray alternative lifestyles just for the sake of having it in the book. It is realistic fiction much along the lines of Madeleine L'Engle's Chronos books. Now in this book we do have a blended family. Or it takes place during the book.

Wendy Robichaud's life is coming together in a way that it has never been. Her mother is remarrying and not only is she getting a step dad but one of her closest friends is about to become her sister. She has a boy she is interested in, and he is interested in her as well. But things quickly start to go sideways. He elderly friend Mrs. Villaturo is suffering from Alzheimer's. But she has let a family secret out of the bag. The Cajan side of her family, her father's side, has a secret. And throw all of that plus school and Wendy's life has become far more complicated than she ever wanted it to be.

Part of the story revolves around her 10 steps to girlfriend status;, which are:
1. Meeting before school (Check.)
2. Eating lunch together (Check.)
3. Hand holding (Check.)
4. Cheek kissing (Check.)
5. Embracing.
6. … to find out the rest you will need to read the book.

This book was an interesting read. It does a great job of capturing high school, blending families and also dealing with Alzheimer's. It was engaging and had a great pace and a few twists. One in particular caught me completely by surprise. The writing is very tight.

There are a few way I judge really good books. First could I see myself rereading it. Second can I think of people I would recommend it to right away. And finally would I want to see my children read it when it is age appropriate. This book scores well in all three categories. This was a great read, and I am already anticipating reading book three. And the latest book by Toney that was released this fall.