Book Review: ‘Again, But Better’ Is A Great Young Adult Novel By Christine Riccio

In 2011 Shane has been a girl that hasn’t had a lot of friends and has had to live under her parents rules. They want her to be a doctor and to go to college for this. She has decided she has had it with New York and has gotten into a school in England. She told her parents she is going there for pre-med but in reality she’s going for journalism. She’s just not telling her parents the truth. She starts making lists of things she’s going to do and how she is going to change her life. She’s going to be outgoing make new friends, meet a boy and follow her dreams.

When she gets there she meets her roommates and becomes friends, she meets a boy named Pilot that she really likes and becomes friends. They all go on trips to European cities and bond. She falls for Pilot and thinks he likes her. She then finds out he has a girlfriend. This devastates her but she takes it in stride. Then her parents show up for a surprise visit and all hell happens when they learn the truth and order her back to New York and to take the med tests during the summer. Even though she’s almost 21 she will do as told or be cut off.

Flash forward to 2017 and we learn Shane is now in New York for interviews to become a resident. She goes to see Pilot who she learns is working in the city. She confesses he was always the one even though now she’s engaged to be married to a man she doesn’t want to marry. Pilot is still with his girlfriend. And then something magical happens and maybe Shane can be with Pilot but it would change everything and give her a new beginnin. And to say what is it would spoil the story.

This is author Christine Riccio’s debut novel and it’s everything a Young Adult story should be. First love, college, new friendships and beginnings. Interesting characters in a great setting make for an enjoyable read. Along with the major twist it makes you wish it could possibly happen to you (again no spoilers).

You can pick it up in stores on Tuesday, May 7th from Wednesday Books (St. Martin’s Press).