Love Thy Sister, Guard Thy Man is the first book in a series and if the books that follow are anything like this one they will be great! This is a wonderful young adult novel, in large part because it doesn’t talk down to its targeted audience. This book is age appropriate without being condescending. I believe that will be appreciated by all readers, not just this one.

This is a story of a camping trip where Cupid makes a visit! A shy young woman named Melena meets a hunky guy. There is no denying the attraction between the two and they spend some romantic time together. It is a dream come true for Melena. When Melena’s sister Cassi makes a play for Dylan it looks as if Melena will be crushed. The two sisters might realize, though, that there’s more to life than romance, and that the bonds of sisterhood can’t be denied.

I very much enjoyed this story, for a number of reasons. First, it is true to life. I can see this happening, even between sisters. Competition for love can be fierce, regardless of family affiliation. Also, the characters are shown in a realistic light. There is no fairytale falling in love while the lights dim to this. It is typical older teenage behavior. The friends, especially April, are perfectly written. And the ending is a real tearjerker, with a moral and life lessons to be learned. I finished reading this with a smile on my face.

Reviewed by: Marlene