"Between You & Me" by Marisa Calin ~ Compulsive Read!

Summary:   Phyre knows there is something life-changing about her new drama teacher, Mia, from the moment they meet. As Phyre rehearses for the school play, she comes to realize that the unrequited feelings she has for Mia go deeper than she's ever experienced. Especially with a teacher. Or a woman. All the while, Phyre's best friend-addressed throughout the story in the second person, as "you"-stands by, ready to help Phyre make sense of her feelings. But just as Mia doesn't understand what Phyre feels, Phyre can't fathom the depth of her best friend's feelings...until it's almost too late for a happy ending. Characters come to life through the innovative screenplay format of this dazzling debut, and unanswered questions-is "you" male or female?-will have readers talking

Particulars of the Book :
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Pages:  256
Genre:  YA/General Fiction
Author:  Marisa Calin


About Marisa :
Marisa Calin was born in the U.S., grew up in Bath, England, then moved to New York City at the age of eighteen to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and pursue her dreams of being an actress. She is still in hot pursuit, and when not on stage or on set uses all her spare time and training to create vivid character-driven worlds on paper.

See her amazing website sponsored by Bloomsbury here:  http://www.marisacalin.com/    where you'll find videos, voice overs, music to "Between You and Me" and other amazing reviews!


The Dame's Review :

I'm very excited about this book.  It's a truly unique read with all the components that make it a stand out for YA and general fiction.  Breaking ground in the genre, "Between You & Me" is a screen play within a novel including a school play story that is so well written and so dynamic it will have you reading far more quickly and more compulsively than anything in your hands lately!  I was blown away.  While it sounds strange on paper, by way of my review no doubt, the format works amazingly well, and Marisa Calin is genius to think of it.

Quick witted and snappy dialog makes the book move at a bullet's pace.  The depth of emotion conveyed seems unlikely with such spare words, which is one of the charming things about this book.  We are brought into a situation of the love-lorn that it both poignant and profoundly expressive between two different teens, and two different scenarios simultaneously, and they both work in such perfect heart-stopping harmony.  I found it timeless.  If any of you remember "Love Story," you'll understand how few words can convey a world of angst and true depth of caring.  This is such a book.

In the summary of the book, you'll find the outline of the story of Phyre and her obsessive crush on Mia, her drama teacher...and her "blind" relationship at the same time with the "You" of her play.  There is nothing more I would give away on that count except to say that the invisible is so beautifully drawn here on the "You" character that you ache for him/her.  This, of course, shows the writing talent and expressive gifts of the author.

I enjoyed very much, as well, her instructions to the drama class on how to find the emotions and meanings in their acting.  What a wonderful way to work Phyre's emotional turmoil and "You's" behind the scenes feelings into the story/play.  And then, the school play on top of the storyline play was so enjoyable a read.

This is a unique book.  One that I won't be surprised to find visited with awards this year.  Get it and experience a wonderful story.  Guaranteed to please you.  Good for Bloomsbury!

5 stars               Deborah/TheBookishDame