Full of Promise

Full of Promise was a very sweet young adult romance novel about discovering one’s sexuality and the emotional turmoil involved. Cam, a high school senior, was already dealing with the aftermath of her parents’ recent divorce. Since her mother took on another job, responsibility of taking care of her two younger brothers was thrust upon her. Between school, a part time job, soccer, and hanging out with her best friend Claire and boyfriend Danny, Cam was stretched to the limit. But she took everything in stride-held her emotions in check-until she couldn’t anymore, especially when a newly transferred classmate, Riley, entered her life. The attraction was undeniable for both girls, and Cam began to seriously question her sexuality and how her family would react to it.

The author effectively captured Cam’s heart wrenching emotional journey throughout the story. Her pain…and love…was evident with every interaction and setback she faced. You cannot help but become invested in her life changes and all those affected by it. Cam’s family and friends were also an integral part of her life and their reactions added to the realistic nature of this story.

This was a very well written captivating read. I believe young adults will definitely embraced Cam’s journey and hopefully realize that there are others like themselves who are also finding their way to their own true self.
Highly recommended!
An ARC was given for an honest review.

I’ve often wondered what it would have been like if I’d been brave enough to come out when I was a teenager (I waited until I was 23 and studying in another country). Cameron is in her last year of high school when she realizes she’s not in love with her boyfriend anymore and is such more interested in Riley, who happens to be a girl. The good news is, Riley is interested in her too.

While Riley’s already out to her parents and friends, she’s still trying to fit in as the new girl at school. Both young women are navigating new territory, a new city / school / set of friends / soccer team for Riley, her sexual orientation for Cameron. Being a teenager is mostly about discovering new things about oneself and about the world, and this novel is a good illustration of that.

On top of the romance part, there are a lot of interesting relationships in this book: the relationships between the two MCs and their parents, Cam’s relationship with her brothers, her relationship with best friend Claire, Riley’s relationship with her ex, Abby. And though I had a bit of trouble with the writing at first, I forgot all about it afterwards, and, in the end, only remember how the author manages to give distinct voices to her characters. The teenagers sound like teenagers, the younger kids like younger kids and the parents like normal adults. That’s not always a given (especially with younger characters), and Kate Gavin did a really good job on that front.

I’ve read plenty of YA lesfic but there’s something refreshing about this novel that I can’t really explain. There’s nothing groundbreaking about it but it’s heartwarming and totally worth reading.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.