Love and Leftovers by Sarah Tregay

My wish is to fall cranium over Converse in dizzy daydream-worthy love.

(If only it were that easy.

Marcie has been dragged away from home for the summer—from Idaho to a family summerhouse in New Hampshire. She’s left behind her friends, a group of freaks and geeks called the Leftovers, including her emo-rocker boyfriend, and her father.

By the time Labor Day rolls around, Marcie suspects this “summer vacation” has become permanent. She has to start at a new school, and there she leaves behind her Leftover status when a cute boy brings her breakfast and a new romance heats up. But understanding love, especially when you’ve watched your parents’ affections end, is elusive. What does it feel like, really? Can you even know it until you’ve lost it?

Love & Leftovers is a beautifully written story of one girl’s journey navigating family, friends, and love, and a compelling and sexy read that teens will gobble up whole.

Goodreads Summary

 

What are your meltdowns like? Marcie’s mom drags her from their home in Idaho to New Hampshire when her husband leaves her for a younger man. Her departing from Idaho means leaving her boyfriend and her friends, the “Leftovers,” behind. While in New Hampshire, Marcie gets a new haircut, loses weight, and questions her relationship with her boyfriend. Long distance is rough and all her relationships are strained. Taking care of her mother and trying to adjust to a new school are difficult as well. Marcie feels secluded and too adult. A bright spot in her day is seeing J.D. who brings her breakfast every morning and quickly becomes her best friend in New Hampshire. As time passes, she becomes closer and closer to her and Idaho seems farther and farther away. Marcie does wonder, what happens if she ever returns to Idaho?

Marcie is very dynamic, but often difficult to feel compassion for. Although she is sympathetic, her family collapsed and she is forced into the role of an adult, Marcie makes some bad decisions blatantly and without thought of how her choices affect others. High school, female readers would appreciate Tregay’s work. Because of the subjects discussed, a younger audience might not understand the book. Sarah Tregay wrote Love and Leftovers in free verse as a diary. This style of writing offers a fun look into Marcie’s thought process. Her reactions to situations and emotions are clearly expressed in her poetry. Sarah Tregay’s work earns four stars; I neglect to give the last star because I was able to predict the end of Marcie’s story.          

*Review by Kristin*

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