Book Review: Flirting with Maybe by Wendy Higgins

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Flirting with Maybe

By:  Wendy Higgins

Published:  March 5, 2013

Published By:  HarperTeen Impulse

Nook Book, 92 pages

Source:  Purchased

GR's Summary:

He was fifteen and she was seventeen. 

When sophomore Ryan "The Kid" McPhearson makes the Varsity baseball team, he finds himself submersed into the life of upperclassmen, and falling in love with senior Brooke Bennet. To Ryan she's his dream girl, perfect. Maybe to the outside world a two-year age difference doesn't matter, but this is high school. Everything matters. 

Ryan soon realizes Brooke's life is not so perfect. He becomes her closest friend, her safe place to fall when she needs to escape. Ryan seems to be benched in the friend zone with no chance to bat.

Time is both a curse and a blessing. It ushers Brooke away to college, and Ryan into the arms of his first girlfriend. It alters Ryan from a kid to a high school graduate, ready to venture to college himself. But when Ryan sees Brooke again he realizes there are some things even time can't touch.

Though much has changed, one question still remains. Will the things that mattered in high school always stand between them?

My Take on this Journey:

This is a wonderful little Novella about Brooke Bennet, a hot 17 year old blond, with a great body, beautiful eyes, and very unassuming nature.  Brooke has a natural look, and hardly wears make up.  She is a senior in high school, and is part of the in-crowd.  Brooke has many friends, her best friend being Jackie.  Brooke is going to manage the Varsity Baseball team this year, and decides to reach out, and introduce herself to underclassman Ryan, (Ry) McPhearson.  Ryan is in so much shock, he can't speak, so Brooke thinks he is shy.  Ryan is only 16, a sophomore, and has made the Varsity Baseball team.  He is very serious about baseball, and has a huge crush on Brooke.  Whenever Brooke is around, Ryan practically went into a "Vanilla Cookie Coma."  Brooke smells so great that he can't think when she is in close proximity.  

Little by little these two become friends, and Ryan begins giving Brooke rides home.  They first they stop by the State park, and talk about things she has never discussed with anyone before, not even her best friend Jackie knows about her step father, "Ron the Con"and how he is verbally abusive with Brooke, or how he never wants to spend money for her education or anything else.

Right from the start, the reader knows that Ry is madly in love with Brooke.  Brooke goes off to college, and there is confusion and insecurity that overwhelms her.  Her step-father has always told her she was a loser, just like her drunken father, and she always has always believed him.  She has low self-esteem, and has unknowingly made a reputation for herself that she doesn't want or deserve.  Ry always tries to reach out to her, but he is always looked at as the younger guy, "the kid" as everyone calls him.

This novella had so many different obstacles, leading from Brooke's upbringing, the fact that her dad left at an early age, and always had an excuse why he wasn't coming to see her.  He was always getting his act together, but never quite made it.  Brooke's real father was an alcoholic.  Throughout her stay in the dorm at college with her sorority sisters, alcohol was always a problem, too much partying, bad grades, and self-loathing, that stood in the way of what she wanted.  She is always running away when things get tough with Ry, and always leaves him hanging.  Yet, he is always still hopeful, and waiting for her.

Ryan is a great character.  He tries to find his way, get a girlfriend, Michelle, though Brooke is always in the forefront of his mind, and he tries to move on.  Michelle, is very insecure and very neurotic.  We see Ryan grow away from her, and mature throughout the short novella.  I'm hoping that Ms. Higgins will honor us with a sequel.  This is a great short story that is worth reading, and is worth making into a series.     

I give, Flirting with Maybe, a big 5 Sweet, Heartfelt, Longing, Passion Filled Stars! 

My Favorite Quotes:

"You're not your dad," Ryan said through clenched teeth.  Her eyes watered.  "But I'm like him."  He ran his hand down her soft, straight hair and she closed her eyes.  "You're not him.  And you won't end up like him." (eARC pg. 59)

"I'm still not sure you won't walk out that door and forget about me," he said.  Pain settled on her face.  "I'll just have to prove myself, then."  He paused.  Since they were being honest, Ryan reached out to stroke her cheek, and said quietly, "you can start by not drinking anymore."  He waited for an indignant response.  The drinking thing was for her, not him, but he knew it was a hurdle in her life that she'd have to get over." (eARC pg. 67)

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About the Author:

After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, I taught high school English until becoming a mommy. I've always had a heart for teens, and writing YA stories gives me the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal years before adulthood.  I live in the D.C. area with my husband, daughter, son and puppy Rue.

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