Because of Low by Abbi Glines

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Because of Low by Abbi Glines
Simon & Schuster, 2013. ISBN 9781471117534.
(Age: 18+) With all the talk about the trend for publishing what is termed as New Adult, a genre 'with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket' (Wikipedia), I was interested to pick up Because of Low by Abbi Glines. There is a red sticker on the front of the cover that states that the book is 'definitely saucy. How hot do you like it?' and that, with the statement 'Abbi Glines writes hot guys who leap off the page - or at least you wish they would' - Tammara Webber, should give a very strong hint to the content of the book and certainly put it in the new adult age range for me. There are certainly hot guys and sexual scenes.
In Because of Low, Marcus Hardy has come home to Sea Breeze because his family is in chaos. His father is having an affair with a much younger woman and his mother is devastated. He rooms with Cage, a player who picks up different girls all the time. When Willow, 'Low', comes running to Cage to stay the night because her sister has kicked her out, Marcus is very attracted to her. The story then proceeds with the development of Marcus and Low's relationship and some shocking revelations that force Marcus to reassess what he believes.
Two others by Abbi Glines across my desk are While it lasts and Just for now, both in the 'Definitely saucy' category. I'm certain that teens are flocking to read these, but in my opinion, their content makes them unsuitable for a school library.
Pat Pledger

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