The Opposite of Innocent

Fourteen-year-old Lily can’t wait for family friend Luke to come back from his years-long trip to Africa. Ever since she was young, she’s had a huge crush on him. And when he arrives, Lily learns that Luke is going to stay with her family until he finds an apartment. Not only is Luke back in town—he’s staying in the room next to hers!

In the years since Luke has been in Africa, Lily has grown up. Luke seems to notice. She might almost believe she’s imagining his lingering looks and double entendres—until he kisses her. What starts as a brushing of lips, over weeks, turns into so much more.

At first Lily enjoys the secrecy and danger of what she’s doing, but when Luke begins to expect—and demand—more, Lily realizes she’s in way over her head. Luke becomes possessive, threatening, and frightful, while Lily becomes withdrawn, depressed, and ill.

Jovem adulto / Romance