Title: One Lonely Degree
Author: C.K. Kelly Martin
ISBN: 9780375851636
Pages: 256
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Genre: Teen
Rating: 4 out of 5

From the publisher's website:

Finn has always felt out of place, but suddenly her world is unraveling. It started with The Party. And Adam Porter. And the night in September that changed everything. The only person who knows about that night is Audrey—Finn’s best friend, her witness to everything, and the one person Finn trusts implicitly. So when Finn’s childhood friend Jersy moves back to town—reckless, beautiful Jersy, all lips and eyes and hair so soft you’d want to dip your fingers into it if you weren’t careful—Finn gives her blessing for Audrey to date him. How could she possibly say no to Audrey? With Audrey gone for the summer, though, Finn finds herself spending more and more time with Jersy, and for the first time in her life, something feels right. But Finn can’t be the girl who does this to her best friend . . . can she?

I have been really impressed with the YA fiction I have been reading lately.  It used to be that books featuring teens were either super cheesy or true fantasy novels which, while well-written, didn't really appeal to most readers.  In the last few years, however, there has been a change in the world of teen fiction, a trend towards dealing with the many issues teens must face in a daily basis.  These novels are directed at many age groups and have very deservedly found a solid following among adults.  One Lonely Degree is one of these exceptionally well-written novels.

I really enjoyed C.K. Kelly Martin's I Know It's Over [review], so when I heard she had a new book coming out, I was really eager to read it.  While I have to say I found I Know It's Over more compelling, One Lonely Degree is still a solid read that any fan of  YA fiction will enjoy.

Finn is a great character, and a very sympathetic one at that.  I loved the relationship between her and Jersy.  From the beginning, there was something so innocent and sweet about it.  They were kindred spirits that needed to find one another.  I didn't really get the whole Jersy and Audrey thing, though I think that was the point.  They weren't supposed to fit together well because of Finn.

I also liked that Martin worked in multiple serious issues into One Lonely Degree without making them the focal point of the book.  It makes it seem as though Finn is a real person, and the reader is just getting a glimpse into part of her life.  She behaved very realistically in reaction to these events; I only wish she hadn't had to face them.

One Lonely Degree is a great read that any lover of YA fiction will love.  Additionally, if you are looking to read something in this genre but aren't really familiar it, One Lonely Degree is a great place to start!

A huge thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to review!