Josie Gardner and her mother, Kate, are best friends. Kate had Josie when she was only sixteen years old, after her boyfriend, Paul Tucci, moved away to Arizona and left her to raise the baby alone. Josie works for an OCD ice cream shop owner who dreams of one day opening a coffeeshop, plays soccer on the girls’ team with her other best friend Liv, and worries through her complicated relationship with Matt Rigby, while her mom, who owns a bookstore, starts dating a jazz musician. But one day, Kate and Josie see Paul’s parents at the grocery store, and Kate hides behind a grocery display until Josie sends her out to the car. This odd behavior causes Josie to wonder a bit, and as the story progresses, she begins to see her mother not just as her mom and best friend, but as a woman who has made mistakes and has regrets. And one afternoon when Josie goes in to work, she discovers that Bob, her employer, has taken the leap to convert the ice cream shop to a coffeeshop, and soon Josie finds herself serving pastries and cocoa on a regular basis to her grandfather, who still doesn’t know who she is.

I found this book to be an interesting glimpse into the relationship between a single mother and her daughter. Although the story is told in Josie’s voice, Kate is a well-developed character. The conflicts are not always well-written or explained, but that is in line with Josie’s perspective of her mother. It is also worth noting that Josie’s best friend, Liv, has two male parents – a gay couple. This novel would appeal to fans of Sarah Dessen or Deb Caletti. ( )

"What does he think went down overnight? A cockroach wedding?"

My favorite line in the whole book. ( )

Cute story, but it left me hanging.
It is the story of 16 year old Josie, being raised by a single mom who was 17 when Josie was born. Complications arise when Josie's paternal grandparent who do not even know Josie exists, move back to town. This is the story of Josie catching up on her past and learning the circumstances of her bith. It was a quick easy read, but I felt it ended to abrubtly. It ended 'happily' but we have no idea about the 'ever after'. I'd have liked a look into 1 - 5 years down the road. ( )

Natasha Friend has written four YA novels, but, for some unknown reason, this was the first one that I've read. I must admit, it looks as though I've been missing out!

FOR KEEPS is one of those novels that, for the most part, is predictable. Josie has been raised by a single mother, who became pregnant in high school, and has never met her father, the seemingly uncaring Paul Tucci. Josie doesn't mind though, she's got her mom and her best friend Liv - she doesn't need any boys in her life. Then, unexpectedly, Paul Tucci returns to town and the life Josie knows is turned inside out. Perhaps Paul Tucci isn't who she thought he was. And, perhaps, Matt, the boy she desperately doesn't want to like, has a place in her life after all.

It isn't often that I truly like the character that is cast as the best friend, but I really enjoyed Liv. She was the perfect foil to Josie's anti-boy stance and she opened Josie's eyes to so many possibilities and ideas that she never would have considered on her own. Josie is such a stubborn character; she needed someone like Liv to pester her into opening her eyes.

I very much enjoyed Josie and Matt's relationship. Josie's reluctance to enter into a relationship with any boy - let alone Matt, with whom she has a complicated history - added the perfect amount of tension to the plot. It often seems that after the two main characters finally admit their feelings for one another, the book is all but over, but that wasnt' so with FOR KEEPS. Friend touched on some other true to life issues that often occur in relationships, keeping Matt and Josie's relationship interesting. I found this satisfying and much more realistic, which I think is important in YA literature.

I also feel that I must briefly mention the letters. Now, I can't really say what letters. Or who they were from. Or what they were about. All of this information is better uncovered as you read the novel, but for those of you who have already had the pleasure of reading FOR KEEPS: I loved the letters! They were absolutely perfect and allowed me to forge a connection to the character that had written them, a connection that I fear would not have been nearly as strong without said letters.

It has been mentioned that the ending of FOR KEEPS was too perfect, but I don't believe this was the case. I like that all the loose ends were wrapped up and the reader is left with a happy image in mind. It might not necessarily be real life, but it isn't supposed to be. Friend wrote a compelling novel that tackled many issues - let Josie have her happy ending. ( )

From the moment I opened to the first page of For Keeps, I instantly knew I was going to love this book. Told through Josie's perspective - with a fresh, young voice, we learn of her relationship with her young mother - who is as much a parent as a best friend. Josie and her mother, Kate, are as close as a mother and daughter can get. It has always been the two of them against the world -but when Kate suddenly becomes interested in a man, the close-knit relationship with her daughter starts to crumble. Aside from the problems the mother and daughter team are facing - there is also the reality of Josie's dad. Paul Tucci (said dad), has never been in the picture. The thought of him alone can make mature and capable Kate go into a hyperventilating fit. So when Paul's parents move back to town, you know nothing good can come of this... or can it?

I really loved this book. From start to finish I was invested in these characters lives. Josie had this strong and memorable voice. She was very mature for her age - yet at the same time she was innocent and gullible. I absolutely loved the relationship between her and Kate. For some reason, parents aren't a big factor in YA books. In fact, in most books they're just someone mentioned in passing. Rarely do you ever see them play a major role. That is not the case in For Keeps - Kate's role in the book is just as important at Josie's.

Aside from Josie and Kate, there were some other characters that I loved as well. I absolutely loved Liv, Josie's best friend. She brought a smile to my face every time she came in a room - with her quirky fashion sense, snarky remarks and sarcastic humor. Riggs, Josie's love interest, was also a highlight. I liked the push and pull between them - but I especially liked the way that Josie was able to stand up for herself and her feelings - not letting her love for him blindside her. I love a strong female and you definitely find that in Josie.

I think Ms. Friend does a superb job in creating a realistic, heartfelt, coming of age story in For Keeps. The novel exudes love and charm and definitely leaves you feeling good at its closure. This was a very enjoyable read and one that I can highly recommend. ( )