Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt
Published: June 26, 2007 by Simon Pulse
Received: Purchased from Amazon

There are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other. [goodreads]

My first experience reading this book occurred a few year ago, but with Barnholdt's companion novel [Right of Way] coming out this summer, I wanted to revisit this book and post an official review for it on the blog.  For anyone who enjoys an engaging, sweet, surprising YA contemporary -- this book is perfect to pick up next!  The first thing that grabbed me about this story is that it's centered around a road trip.  There are endless possibilities of what can go wrong, and go right, as the miles pass down the highway.  I remember being instantly pulled to this story simply for that fact.

The story begins with a brokenhearted Courtney, attempting to hide the pieces and face the world as the tough girl she is.  Jordan, her very recent ex-boyfriend, is driving her to college -- plans they had made prior to the break up, but there's a mystery as to why they'd still continue on with the plans.  That interesting twist to the story kept me reading, wondering why Courtney would go along with this plan.  I know my teenage self would not want to spend hours upon days inside a car with a boy who just broke my heart. And why is Jordan accepting to drive her, when he was the one who did the breaking up?

Barnholdt kept the story moving along and soon my questions started to shift and my focus was projected at the relationship that was not quite over between Courtney and Jordan.  The tension between these two characters was so much fun to read about.  They were both stubborn, yet you knew deep down they still cared for one another.  Ultimately I knew they'd end up at a pleasant destination, but it was the road getting there that I enjoyed so much.

If you're a fan of light, fun, and unexpected surprises; then I recommend picking up this contemporary novel.  Even years later I still hold a fondness for its story and am looking forward to the companion novel that is set to be released in July.