WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE GUY OF YOUR DREAMS IS SOMEONE ELSE'S BOYFRIEND?
Fifteen-year-old Taryn has found the guy of her dreams. Epp is tall, athletic, handsome, and best of all, she is sure he likes her too. There's only one problem: He's dating someone else.

But when Taryn becomes friends with Epp's beautiful girlfriend, Isabelle, her life begins to change. New friends, movie dates, and a first kiss--life couldn't get any better, could it? Except that her mother is lonely, her best friend won't speak to her, and Epp is still Isabelle's boyfriend. Is he worth it?

Read an excerpt from the first chapter.

Q: Where did you get the idea for this book?
A: I get ideas from everywhere, but for this book I wanted to write a realistic look at first love. It's not always how it is in the movies -- sometimes things get a little messy! But the book isn't just about Taryn trying to win Epp. She's also balancing problems with her parents and her friends. Even her dog is sometimes working against her! She's a very likeable protagonist, and readers will root for her, despite her occasionally questionable actions.

Q: Taryn goes to an all-girls school. Did you?
A: Yes, I did, and it was a terrific experience. In fact, I could write many, many books just about that! Taryn goes to school with Isabelle, and because it's a small girls' school, everyone knows everyone else's business. That makes Taryn's plan to steal Epp all the more shocking!

Q: What was your favorite part of writing this book?
A: Taryn's family has a bichon frise, which is the kind of dog my family had growing up. The dog is an important character in the book, and I really had fun showing how much a part of a family a dog can be, even to the point where there is no differentiation between the human and canine members. Taryn's dog is for all intents and purposes her bratty younger sister.

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"Taryn's first-person present-tense narrative is funny and self-deprecating and is filled with details about getting ready for dates and school dances. The home scenes are entertaining, too: irritable Taryn is even jealous of the family poodle, who gets so much attention from her newly divorced mom. Romance readers will enjoy the humor about obsession and rejection."
Booklist, Sept 2008