"Name your price, Suzy Blue. Everyone's got one."- Life used to be "normal" until Suzy Blue moves into the trailer park with her mom. Then things turn secretive and claustrophobic. To get out of the house, Suzy accepts a deal with the charming neighbor boy, J.J. Radborne. All he needs is a pretend girlfriend for bonfires, fun, and a possible prom date, and all she needs is driving lessons to get out of this town...for good.
"You're making a huge mistake, J.J."- So says Gemma, J.J.'s ex-girlfriend. She's turning up the heat in a confusing mind game, and J.J. knows exactly who to team up with: Suzy Blue. She's cute, convenient, and even sorta funny. More importantly, Gemma's already jealous. Hey, she started it; he's just playing along. So, yeah. Suzy...perfect. Now, if she'd only cooperate.
Dealing with Blue is a small town love story set in the Pacific Northwest. It's about a strong girl and a bad boy peeling back the layers to discover what's true.
**FINALIST 2015 PNWA Literary Contest for Young Adults**
**FINALIST 2016 PNWA Nancy Pearl Book Award**
Ella is falling apart trying to live a "perfect" high school life. Then she meets Ren, who can see past her scars. Suddenly perfection isn't her only option.
*****
Ella Volkov is a gifted music student, but she's depressed and starting to crack under the pressure of high school. Her overbearing father won't even let her choose what instrument she plays. Then she finds herself alone at a party with Ren, her best friend's crush. She'd always thought he was rude, but after that night he's all Ella can think about. Now she's trapped. If Ella dates Ren, it will ruin her friendship with Jenny. But if she stays true to Jenny, she's losing the one person who can see past her scars. It's up to Ella to decide if she will forge her own path, or stay in the "perfect" box designed for her...
Content and/or Trigger Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, violence, sexual assault.
[[word count: 50,000-100,000 words]]