As we say in the South, "bless her heart!"

One of the reasons I love reading a good YA (young adult) fiction story is that I love to relive the awkwardness and innocence of those adolescent days.  No, they are not always fun, and yes, the awkwardness is often painful.  But being here, on the other side of the young adult trials (what would you call these years?  middle adult?  ughhhhh...), makes it easier to remember those times a little more fondly.

A close second to YA fiction is a story in which a once-awkward teenager gets to redeem herself as a capable and confident adult.  A Cinderella story of sorts, I suppose.  Who doesn't like to see a 'nerd' or outsider finally get the happy ending he or she deserves?

Kristan Higgins's Until There Was You is an example of my favorite kind of romance novels:  light, enjoyable, and with just enough drama and subplot to keep it entertaining.  Best of all, the awkward schoolgirl got her happy ending.

While the "heartthrob" Liam took awhile to grow on me, Posey is a loveable, relatable character from the beginning.  I want to give her a big hug, then take her shopping because from the description in the book, this girl is in desperate need of some new clothes!  The minor characters--Posey's brother Henry and his partner Jon, her friends Kate, Brianna, and Elise, and a slightly neurotic family kept the plot moving and added a lot to an otherwise predictable plot. 

The next time you're in the mood for a fun, light-hearted and romantic story, I recommend Until There Was You.  Beware, though, it just might bring back a few less-than-stellar high school memories.

So, tell me...did you feel as awkward in high school as I did?  Don't we all have people we'd like a "do-over" with, to prove how awesome we turned out once we outgrew the teen years?  Any embarrassing stories to share??

**ARC received from the publisher via NetGalley.  Until There Was You will be available 10/25/11.