Horn Book (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Sophomore Bettina is thrilled to be dating adorable Brady Cullen, who even won over her strict Greek American dad. Then the once-charming Brady turns possessive and violent, and Bettina finds herself falling for an older guy, a kind twenty-something named Cowboy. Connor lets Bettina's realization of the situation play out slowly, a choice that deepens characterization and elevates the book above simple problem-novel territory.

ALA Booklist (Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

It's not easy being Greek, as 16-year-old Bettina can attest. Her Bampas and Momma insist that she return directly home after school, and she can forget about going out at night. Then she meets Brady Cullen, a handsome basketball player who seems smitten by her. Bampas approves, so Bettina is allowed out in Brady's company. But to her dismay, Brady begins hurting her, inflicting scrapes, bruises, and worse. As he gets meaner, Bettina is increasingly drawn to a kind-hearted older man (think midtwenties) whom she nicknames Cowboy. Still, she won't break up with Brady, using the stand by your man rationale that holds so many women in abusive relationships. This is what Bettina has learned herself in her traditional family, where peace depends on acquiescence to Bampas' rules. With compassion and respect, author Connor explores the ways in which loving relationships can get twisted into cycles of misery. Be ready with the hankies; this one is a real tearjerker.

Voice of Youth Advocates

Sixteen-year-old Bettina Vasilis grows up in a strict Greek family. Her father controls everything she does. When she and Brady start dating, her father approves. At first, Brady seems caring but gradually shows his true self: an emotional and physical abuser who cares only for his basketball playing and what his friends think. Brady has excuses for a violent push into her locker, painful tugs on her braid, squeezing her hand hard enough to need medical attention. Though not ready, she becomes intimate with him, all the while thinking something is lacking in herself for not trying hard enough in the relationship, always accepting Brady's ever-present excuses. All her life she has accepted her father's instructions of filio antio, or "kiss it goodbye," meaning do not cry or fuss, so she does this with Brady's behavior. It is only after meeting Cowboy that she sees the difference in treatment and learns what true caring should be. She knows her father will never let her date an "older" man with problems of his own, but Bettina and Cowboy truly love each other. After a tragedy occurs, Bettina understands she has to be honest with her family and herself.There is a crowd of issues touched on in this story: physical and emotional abuse; lack of confidence; loving, but restrictive parents; first romance and love; family dynamics; bullying; and loss and grief. Bettina gains the courage to become a survivor. Her emotions are deftly captured and her dilemmas come across realistically, especially the heartbreaking ending.Jane Van Wiemokly.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Having led a sheltered life, sophomore Bettina Vasilis is surprised when her strict Greek-American father allows her to date basketball star Brady. Brady is sweet and attentive, at first, -what anyone would call a good boyfriend,- but his dark side soon emerges. After a disturbing incident with Brady, Bettina almost literally falls into the arms of a handsome mechanic she nicknames Cowboy, who works near her school. During the weeks that follow, his garage becomes her refuge, and he becomes her confidante as she sorts out her uncertainties and nurses very real bruises. First-person narration brimming with emotion traces how Bettina and Cowboy-s friendship evolves, although both of them know her father (not to mention the law) wouldn-t condone a romantic relationship. Beautifully capturing the intensity of first love, Connor (Waiting for Normal) draws readers into a world filled with Greek culture and punctuated by upsetting moments of abuse. Readers will be unprepared for the book-s shocking climax, which changes Bettina-s life forever and brings her closer to her family as she discovers who she is and what she wants. Ages 14-up. (July)

School Library Journal (Thu May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 9 Up-After 15-year-old Bettina Vasilis's best and only friend moves away, she is left socially stranded in the home of her traditional Greek family. Suddenly her life as the thrift shop-raiding, bad girl "dancerina" comes to an end. Lonely and unoccupied, Bettina's sophomore year ends with the unlikely attention of the up-and-coming basketball star, Brady Cullen. Even more surprising is the acceptance of this new relationship by her strict father, Bampas, who allows her to date and grow closer to Brady throughout the summer. The teen rarely questions why their summer dates only include the two of them or why Brady encourages her unlikely application to the cheerleading squad, but as their junior year begins, she develops an awareness of Brady's new social standing as the school's star athlete. Soon Bettina begins to question her changing relationship. Then she meets "Cowboy", an older auto mechanic who challenges her to focus more on the things important to her, like her art. What begins as a chance friendship turns into something more, despite the taboo age difference. This novel is compulsively readable. The characters are well developed, the plot is compelling, and the ending plausible and satisfying. Bettina's Greek family is a welcome dimension to the complicated love triangle. An enjoyable addition to YA chick lit. Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD