An Unexpected Role

Good from beginning to end. So many funny parts! As a writer, I love that the main character’s mom is a writer! And poor Josie decides her mom is ruining her life because everyone at school thinks the embarrassing stories in the book are about her. More than anything, Josie wants an escape. And she gets one which has the potential to be everything a girl could want.

As the fun plot moves forward a mystery begins to develop, then the tension really starts mounting. In addition to being fast-moving and at times hilarious, this novel has incredible descriptions. Since I read this as summer is dwindling down, I really appreciate the beautiful imagery, the beaches and ocean view. It lets me hold onto summer for a wee bit longer. But this story is also filled with life-lessons that are totally relevant to young adults--well, to me too. This book is a fun and rewarding read!

Leslea Wahl has done it again - another great book custom-tailored to teens (teen girls in particular). I'm always a little put-off by present tense narration, but I quickly grew to enjoy Josie's voice.

Great writing peppered with humor and insight, the author captures the human tendency to hyperfocus on our own problems that can be part and parcel of the teen years.

Take a mortifying yet hardly life-threatening problem, add an alluring backdrop of sunshine, sand, and an attractive guy, and watch Josie's self-preoccupation melt away as she forges relationships with those outside her narrow Minnesota high school circle.

Her summer escape is populated by people of different ages, races, and backgrounds, and not everyone - even those she thinks she knows - is what they seem.

There's a nice little mystery that keeps the story moving, but the most touching moments involve Josie's self-discovery, the softening of her heart, and, eventually, genuine romance with an upstanding guy and reconciliation with her mom.

Enjoyable for adults, highly recommended for teens. Bonus if you're a fan of musical theater.

AN UNEXPECTED ROLE by Leslea Wahl is an engaging mixture of adventure, romance, and coming-of-age penned in a unique and delightful writing style. While I was intrigued by the mystery and wanted to find out who was responsible for the robberies alongside Josie and Ryan, I also found myself prompted to turn the page because of the clever imagery that Ms. Wahl painted through incomparable metaphors sprinkled throughout the text. On several occasions during the reading experience, I thought to myself, "Wow, that is incredibly creative and sketched such a vivid picture in my mind! And it's also . . . fun!" Since the story is told in first person, these metaphors and other striking descriptions have added depth and meaning to them; it is like they are an extension of this imaginative, young theatre lover's mind.

I highly recommend AN UNEXPECTED ROLE to the teenage girl in your life, as well as anyone who enjoys a compelling story filled with both suspense and a timeless message about discovering yourself while not forgetting the importance of those who matter most in your life---for, in the end, the two go hand in hand. Two thumbs up!