This Adventure Ends - Hardcover

Emma Mills is the author of First & Then. She lives in Indianapolis, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in cell biology.

Gr 8 Up—Sloane is new in town, and she is quickly immersed in a circle of friends, the likes of whom she has never known before. They are tight-knit but welcoming despite their secrets and inside jokes. Her new best friend, Vera, and her twin brother, Gabe, are bereft when they discover that a cherished painting of their deceased mother has mistakenly been sold. Sloane secretly vows to track down the painting, which sets off a series of adventures. Through the course of the novel, Sloane is challenged to reevaluate her solitary tendencies, reconsider her college and career plans, and open herself to the possibility of love. This contemporary romance is set in a vacation belt in Florida. Sloane is a likable protagonist surrounded by loving and supportive family members who are not without their own personal issues. Her father, a famous novelist, has suffered a career blow, and it has strained her parents' marriage. Her new friends are realistic, though her love interest is the typical strong, silent, and stoic type. Fans of the author's debut, First & Then, or her YouTube vlogging persona, Elmilfy, will gravitate toward this title with relatable characters and a satisfying plot. VERDICT Avid and reluctant readers will enjoy this quick offering with short chapters.—Amanda Foust, Consultant, Littleton, CO