Nick Russell lives life the way he believes is right and that includes not judging people just by their appearance. Despite incredible peer pressure against dating the high school social outcast, Sherry Park, Nick dates her and falls in love. Then Sherry is tragically killed in a car accident. Nick is determined to never date again but he finds himself drawn to another outcast. This time his sister Melena butts in and wants to protect Nick but he wants no part of her help. Can Nick move on past the tragedy of losing Sherry? Can he stand against his friends, classmates, and his sister Melena’s opposition to support a girl the others have judged without really knowing her?

This is the second book of the Russell Family Series. This is a series that I highly recommend you read in order. The beginning of this story happens at the same time as most of the story in the first book but with Nick’s version of the events. Then the story moves forward into what Nick must do to control and live his life the way he believes he should. These stories are Christian teen fiction with very emotional situations that are helped by the main character’s Christianity. The books do not tell the reader what to do but tell how the characters apply their beliefs to their story.

This book is a very emotional read. Most teenagers don’t lose their teenage boyfriend or girlfriend and have to deal with that tough situation but readers are drawn into the story and feel empathy for Nick and his family. I love Nick’s character although I have met very few teenage boys that can withstand the amount of peer and family pressure Nick falls under and still do the right thing. The author does a magnificent job of pulling the reader into the lives of this family and their friends. Sherry and later Gina are unjustly judged by their peers for being physically different and yet internally they are wonderful people that Nick takes the time to get to know. I found myself wondering if I missed meeting someone special by not bothering to look past their exterior to the real person; I hope not!

I am enjoying this series very much and can’t wait to see what will happen in the next installment!

Reviewed by: Stephanie B.