Tangled Hearts

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Tales 4 Star Review
Review: by Brenda Edde

In the small town of Heart Colorado there is new boy at Heart High, and rumors are flying fast and furious. Dillon is said to be a trouble-maker at the very least and at worst a criminal who has already done time according to those in the 'know'. Carrie, the high school yearbook editor, has more important things to worry about. Her deadlines are looming large on the horizon and critical artwork promised her has been found in a departed students locker ruined by a can of soda! Dillon has offered to help, but Becky, her best friend, is telling her that she shouldn't rely on the 'criminal' for anything. Carrie doesn't know whether the rumors surrounding Dillon are true or not, but if she can meet her deadlines she's willing to take a chance on him. Dillon isn't making it easy however, he has the 'bad-boy' routine down pat. As Carrie looks into his dual-colored eyes her intuition tells her that it just might be an act, or is it her heart trying to confuse her? Just to make Carrie's life more hectic, she's worried about her long-time friend Tina, and some really bizarre stuff is happening at school. Tina has been gone from school for weeks and won't talk to her. There are the missing advertising files and if Dillon would open up she might get some answers but trust is an issue and he's been taught that trusting anyone is not a good idea. Can Carrie help her friend Tina, will Dillon open up, will the yearbook get done in time. These are the questions that you need to read Tangled Hearts to find out.

Tangled Hearts is a fast moving, well-written story that brought back my memories of high school in a vivid rush. The clicks, the problems involved in being accepted and/or being true to yourself. Not only does Ms. Story tell a story of the difficulties a new kid in school has to face, she tells a compelling story about the foster-care system. The reality of that difficult time in our lives was told in such a manner to appeal to a wide age range. Teenagers will be impressed that Ms Story has done a wonderful job of relating the day to day struggle to find a balancing act between old friendships and new. As an adult, I was impressed with the difficult issues she touched on: from getting in touch with the real you, to the possibilities of date rape, the drug problems rampant in our schools, as well as the degrading situation of a battered young girl. This is the first of Ms. Story's books that I have read, I would suggest on the basis of this book that parents read her books to remember the difficulties of high school life and then hand them to their teenagers to read. They will not only enjoy them, but will hopefully learn from them as well.