It's the summer before senior year and the alluring Angel is ready to have fun. She's not like her best friend, Inggy, who has a steady boyfriend, good grades, and college plans. Angel isn't sure what she wants to do yet, but she has confidence and experience beyond her years. Still, her summer doesn't start out as planned. Her good friend Joey doesn't want to fool around anymore, he wants to be her boyfriend, while Angel doesn't want to be tied down. As Joey pulls away, and Inggy tours colleges, Angel finds herself spending more time with Inggy's boyfriend, Cork. With its cast of vivid and memorable characters, this tale from the Jersey shore is sure to make some waves.
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"Personally, I had mixed reviews about the book. I loved it for the realism and the how raw the character is in the sense that we can see right through her. Angel is portrayed as anything but an angel- she fools around, betrays her best friend, and can't see that what Joey wants is sweet and innocent. Instead, she does things she soon comes to regret. What I and a lot of the readers have mixed feelings is the open nature of the discussion of the sexual acts Angel commits. Yes, the author has the right to write as what she pleases, but it must come in mind this book is a YA book, and not an adult. There is no warning of the content of this book, so any young teen may come across this book, and read something that might not want to be read. But despite that, I give this book 3.5 stars out 5 for the open discussion, controversy that rises, and the true rawness of the character- a character we usually idolize as the "it girl". By seeing her weaknesses and the change of character she goes through, we experience something unique. So read this book, but be warned of the sometimes crude and harsh language and description!"
— Sharleen (4 out of 5 stars)
" Ohhh Angel. You are one sad little girl. "
— Louisa, 1/29/2014" Don't get me started on this book. First of all, it is not NATURAL to kiss your best friend's boyfriend and not SLAP him and tell him to lay off! And it's not natural for him to do it in the first place! What's wrong with you, woman? "
— Eileen, 1/12/2014" I like the way Beth Bauman writes and she has a bold hand that I trust. No sugar coated overly dramatic depictions of sex and no Vampires (thank goodness!) and no Snooki. Jersey Angel is just a really raw look at a believably promiscuous teen trying to find the confidence to face the reality of her impending high school graduation. And to make a decision herself for her own future. What I like about Bauman's writing is that it unapologetically forges new ground for the genre and makes the story about the character instead of some agenda to create what adults think are the right 'roles' for youth. She depicts honest characters that exist on every block of anytown USA that otherwise might not have had a voice. My only criticism is that Angel is such a bold character sort of teetering on a kind of teenage angst ledge and I wanted slightly more solid clues as to what would really happen to her post High school (basically her success). I think there is important stuff in Angels story and I wanted a bit more solid concrete optimism for her at the end. "
— Marc, 1/2/2014" It's so refreshing to read a book where the heroine is experimenting with recreational sex and doesn't get punished for it by getting pregnant or killed or being slut-shamed. "
— Ariel, 12/16/2013" a very quick read about a teenage girl exploring her sexuality on the jersey shore. If you like shows like Brooklyn 1223, then you would most likely enjoy this book. "
— Stephanie, 10/10/2013" Read straight through it tonight. Fluffy with a slight tinge of seriousness about promiscuity. "
— Sherry, 9/5/2013" Very real, cool YA book about growth of an ex slut, Jersey Shore year round hang, cool, great for advanced readers and mature readers. "
— Clem, 6/30/2013" So incredible I loved it very well written. The aspect of it all I really enjoyed. I loved the setting, I love New Jersey (yes I do) and I just liked this book, a very cute read. "
— Katy, 8/14/2012" I really don't understand this book. "
— Marianita, 7/12/2012" A quick, summer read. Glad to find a raw, real main character in Angel. "
— Kristen, 7/2/2012" This is great, but almost the exact same book as her Rosie and Skate. Just with tons of provocative teen sex stuff. Like, tons. "
— Jeremy, 6/3/2012Beth Ann Bauman is an American writer based in New York. She has published a collection of short stories and two novels for young adults. Her work has been published in the Barcelona Review and the anthology Many Lights in Many Windows, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She has also received fellowships from the New York Foundation of the Arts and the Jerome Foundation.
Jaclyn Gaines is a young actress who has a very strong passion for the entertainment industry.