Love and Other Four-Letter Words

This young adult novel, by the prolific Carolyn Mackler, chronicles Samantha Davis' move to New York City after her parents separate. Before the separation, Sammy lived in upstate New York with her professor dad and former-artist mom, and hung out with her gorgeous best friend Kitty. Kitty gladly

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reports details of her burgeoning sexual exploits to Samantha, to Sammy's dismay. Post-move, Sammy is splitting a Manhattan apartment with her mom, who is severely depressed due to the divorce and discovers moving back to NYC doesn't necessary make her "artist's block" disappear. Samantha finds herself responsible for avoiding parking tickets, paying bills, and getting groceries, while avoiding her father's phone calls. While taking care of the dog, Samantha befriends Phoebe, and realizes perhaps Kitty wasn't the best "friend" a girl should have. The major changes in her life cause Samantha to realize she's growing up, and deals with friendship, her parents, and romantic relationships. The humor of this novel, paired with frequent pop-culture references, and realistic adolescent worries make this another great addition to the Carolyn Mackler line of Young Adult novels.

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