L.B. Tillit

Dani Garcia is trying to make a better life for herself. Her mother wants her to graduate and go on to college but it's hard with just the two of them and a new baby. After school work and babysitting, Dani doesn't have much time for a social life but still manages to experience her first sexual encounter with Evron, the handsome brother of her best friend, Ruby. The relationship escalates (deescalates?) into sex-only with Dani feeling less and less good about the situation. One night, Evron assaults Dani in a car. Dani is (conveniently) rescued by Keon (Evon's "good" brother) and given treatment. She decides to press charges which creates tension all around. A somewhat antiseptic, idealized (if that's possible) view of rape... Dani is rescued right away, receives immediate treatment, and suffers only a little kickback for deciding to press charges. She never faces the fear of pregnancy, VD, or loss of reputation. the sex is so nongraphic a naive reader might not even realize what's going on. Still, an important and well-tempered look at a real social issue.… (mere)