Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Road trips are supposed to be fun, especially when you're going on one with your boyfriend or girlfriend, right? Wrong. A few days before Courtney and Jordan are leaving on their road trip to college, Jordan breaks up with Courtney for a mysterious Internet girl. So now Courtney's stuck spending a few days in the car with her ex, his rap music, and his phone that won't stop ringing. She's also left trying to figure out who the Internet girl is, and why Jordan would break up with her for someone he's never actually met, especially when things were going so well between him and Courtney. With a mystery to unravel and a temper to control, Courtney has to grin and bear it to make to college. But Jordan's not telling the truth, for reasons of his own, and secrets are about to be revealed that will rock their worlds forever...

Two-Way Street is told in alternating points of view through various points in time, all leading up to one big, climatic event that is as unforgettable as Courtney's and Jordan's breakup. This is simply a great book. Barnholdt creates an atmosphere in which the reader understands both Courtney's and Jordan's perspectives. I truly felt torn during the book because I had no idea what I would do in either of their situations. The characters are well-developed, and it is easy to sympathize - and in some cases, empathize - with Courtney and Jordan. The plot flips back and forth between the road trip and the events leading up to it, including the night Courtney and Jordan met.

The book contains moderate profanity/cursing, some thematic elements (parental issues), and does openly talk about sex. Cigarettes and alcohol also make appearances throughout the course of the novel. I would recommend this book for teens ages fifteen and older.

Happy readings!

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