Boyfriends, Burritos and an Ocean of Trouble - (Real Life) by Nancy N Rue (Paperback)

About the Book

In a work that tackles tough real-life issues, Bryn O'Connor has always enjoyed drama, but she encounters the wrong kind when she is forced to confront the fallout of her boyfriend's abuse. As Bryn tries to recover, she is helped by her surfer grandma and an unusual book.

Book Synopsis

In this YA contemporary novel from bestselling author Nancy Rue, the issues of abuse and its emotional effects are explored as Bryn O'Connor struggles to find her voice while many of her one-time friends doubt she's telling the truth and her ex-boyfriend won't let go of their past.

Bryn has learned to keep her mouth shut. But when a trip to the hospital following a car accident reveals bruises and injuries inflicted by her boyfriend days and months before, her biggest secret is unwillingly unleashed. And though a restraining order is meant to keep her safe from Preston, it seems nothing can protect her from her supposed friends, who refuse to believe Preston is capable of such violence and look to punish her for what happened to him. Making Bryn wonder if finally telling the truth only made things worse.

The stress and loneliness leaves Bryn feeling crazy--especially when it seems like the leather book she picked up at the hospital is reading her thoughts. It doesn't help that her visiting grandma, Mim, is convinced surfing lessons and homemade Mexican food will somehow help Bryn regain control and focus away from the bullying messages pinging her phone. Though when Preston breaks the restraining order yet again, and a trial date looms, it's clear the only way out of the tsunami that is her life is to charge in and take control of the waves around her.

Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble:

• uses a fictional setting to explore the real-life issues of abuse and quieted voices young women face
• delves into the concepts of finding your voice, overcoming difficult circumstances, and working past feelings of self-blame
• provides an inspirational message for those dealing with tough circumstances
• is the second book in the Real Life series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel

From the Back Cover

Secrets? Bryn O'Connor is good at keeping secrets. But when a car accident reveals her boyfriend's abusive behavior, the truth is unleashed. And it starts a tidal wave of trouble in Bryn's life: enemies who were once friends, a restraining order violation, and her world unraveled. If that weren't enough, her grandmother Mim arrives, attempting Mexican cuisine and insisting that Bryn try surfing. It's all too much! Even Bryn's habit of daydreaming won't offer an escape this time. But could a mysterious book she found hold the secret to riding a tsunami like her life?

Review Quotes

Romance goes terribly wrong in this second book in the author's Real Life series. Bryn, 15, is assaulted by her gorgeous boyfriend, Preston, and she tries to hide her bruises and deny her shame, until her father discovers the abuse and makes her press charges. The court hearing drags on, and Bryn just wants to make it all go away. Meanwhile, Preston threatens her, and his in-crowd friends call her a drama queen and send her ugly text messages. Bryn finds help from her cool grandmother, who teaches Bryn to surf wild waves, and also from Jesus, who speaks to her from a contemporary version of the Book of Luke. Will she ever trust a boy and fall in love again? Romance does return when Bryn gets close with Sean, a cool surfer, who supports her. Rue folds in quite a lot for one YA novel, but the abusive secrets will grab readers, and the dialogue is right on target. --- Hazel Rochman - Booklist--Booklist