Day’s YA – AGAIN, BUT BETTER

TGIF, YA pals!

Let’s end this week with a dash of international adventure, a pinch of flirtatious eye contact, and just a little bit of magic.

AGAIN, BUT BETTER by Christine Riccio
9781250299253
Ages 12 to 18
Available May 7, 2019 from Wednesday Books

Shane is pre-med and in desperate need of change. A semester abroad in London studying Creative Writing is just the ticket. While across the pond, Shane makes friends easily and even falls into a flirty crush thing with Pilot, the cutey from across the hall. When Shane’s parents show up unannounced and discover that she’s been lying to them about her studies, well, y’all know what happens next . . . Shane is back in the good ‘ol U.S. of A. No more writing. No more Pilot.

Fast forward six years. Shane, while interviewing for residencies, runs into Pilot for the first time since her semester abroad. The pair then embarks on a magical journey . . . back in time to 2011. Shane and Pilot are given the do-over that we non-book characters only ever dream about. But, will they get it right this time?

AGAIN, BUT BETTER is very special to me. During the spring of 2011, I too was studying abroad in Europe. I was obsessed with Lost (just like Shane) and there were no iPhones (the horror!)! But, even for those of us not exploring Dublin and hanging out in pubs while studying abroad, this book is a gem.

Shane’s European adventures and her experiences of first love are honest and charming. The touch of magic adds just the right amount of sparkle. Christine Riccio’s debut novel is a funny and clever story of second chances and is perfect for fans of LOVE & GELATO by Jenna Evans Welch and EMERGENCY CONTACT by Mary H.K. Choi.