Bait by Alex Sanchez

Diego's in trouble. A guy at school looked at him funny, and Diego went a little off the edge and assaulted him. Now Diego is awaiting sentencing.

That's when he meets Vidas, his probation officer. And Diego, who feels abandoned by all the adults in his life, starting with his mom (who is still around), and finishing with his stepdad who committed suicide, finds he wants to keep talking to Vidas.

There are certain topics Diego would prefer not to talk about. What his stepdad was doing to him for one. What his stepdad was planning on doing to Diego's little brother Eddie for two. The scars up and down both of his arms for three. Diego struggles with guilt, anger, confusion, and hatred while trying to keep his head above water with the law, Vidas, and his own inner demons.

We often forget that boys suffer from a lot of the same pressures girls do, that they can be just or more abused by family members and by their own need to assert their masculinity as they get older. Diego struggles with trying to appear strong instead of weak and a lot of his anger comes from proving he isn't gay.

This was a fabulous book. It was heartbreaking to read Diego's story.

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti

Rhiannon has just been dumped by her boyfriend Steve for no reason. She's heart-broken and desperate to get him back. She can't believe things ended the way they did.

Nicole broke up with her boyfriend Danny when her feelings were getting a little out of her control. She also has a massive crush on her math teacher. And some other issues that she may find hard to overcome.

James is feeling pressure from all sides. His feelings for Rhiannon have gone past friendship but he doesn't know how to tell her that. Everything he tries ends up wrong.

See how things manage to get completely out of control and then back together in just one week.

Another good romance from Colasanti. This one is also told in alternative voice, from the viewpoints of Rhiannon, Nicole, and James. Each of their stories is told 3 days at a time.