Book Review: Two Way Street

Two Way Street 

By: Lauren Barnholdt

Narrated By: Cassandra Morris

Published By: Dreamscape Media

Publication Date: December 2010

Format: Audiobook

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Library

Audience: Young Adult

I just can't seem to get enough of Lauren Barnholdt's writing lately. As soon as I finished Watch Me, I searched the library's audiobook collection hoping to find another one of her works for my commute. I was lucky enough to stumble upon this one and I have to admit that it might just be my favorite Barnholdt book. Whenever I get stressed I want a book that tells a good story and helps take my mind off the issues in my own life. Barnholdt's writing has a way of transporting me into her characters' lives so that I can leave the problems of my own behind for a little while.

Two Way Street tackles how tough relationships can be. What if you had a secret that you knew would hurt the one you loved? Would you keep the secret to protect them or tell them and deal with whatever fallout headed your way? This is the dilemma that faces Jordan Richmond as he learns a horrible secret that will ruin his relationship with Courtney McSweeney, the one girl he actually loves. Jordan decides that breaking things off with Courtney is the best solution rather than waiting for her to find out that he hid something so huge from her for practically their entire relationship. 

Courtney, heart broken over the break up, thinks that Jordan has moved on to a girl he met on the internet. She wants to avoid him at all cost, but that proves to be pretty difficult since she's stuck on a three day road trip with him as the travel from Florida to Massachusetts for college. Along the way, both Courtney and Jordan learn that love and friendship are partnerships that must be built upon trust and respect.

I really liked both of these characters, but there were times when Courtney got on my nerves. She was so anal about their freakin' driving schedule and she did childish things to try to make Jordan uncomfortable and jealous during the drive. It was so obvious to me that these two were meant to be together. I just kept hoping that she'd grow up a little bit and Jordan would just confess his knowledge so they could make amends. I also felt sorry for Jordan since he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I didn't like the pressure he got from Courtney's dad. The structure of the novel goes back and forth between Courtney and Jordan so you get to see the story unfold from both perspectives.

Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and wish that I knew what was going to happen to Courtney and Jordan as they navigate their freshman year of college in Boston. I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye when the book ended. The audio on this one is easy to listen to and Cassandra does a nice job. However, I think I would have liked the audio more if they had brought in a male narrator for Jordan's parts. It didn't cause my rating of this one to be any lower, but I think this could have easily become an amazing audiobook with that adjustment.

If you like other works of Lauren Barnholdt or are interested in reading about a tricky relationship, then this book should be just the thing for you. There is a lot of language and some upper YA situations and behaviors so this probably wouldn't be a great read for younger readers within the YA realm. These characters are eighteen and embarking on college so their words and actions reflect that age group.

One Last Gripe: BJ and Jocelyn's relationship made no sense and I tended to zone out anytime it was mentioned

My Favorite Thing About This Book: the road trip aspect - it really forced the characters to deal with their issues instead of walking away from them or hiding them

First Sentence: I'm a traitor to my generation.

Favorite Character: Jordan

Least Favorite Character: Courtney's Dad

Summary:

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.