Writer Herrick has crafted another delight in words on the pages of All’s Fair in Love and Words.

Ann Herricks’ All’s Fair in Love and Words opens with a walk to school on a windy day. For seventeen-year-old Laurel Blossom the wind is just one more bother, she wants to appear regal, sophisticated, not wind blown. This is the day the editor for the school year book will be announced. As a Junior she was a class assistant. And, Senior Laurel completely wants to be the editor-in-chief.
Within minutes of their notification for positions working toward publishing the year book, advisor Bonine, Mr. Bonine, was passing out bundles of paper filled with the schedule to be followed outlined, including all deadlines.
And minutes later Laurel and new student, Matt Stannard, the newly named Photo Editor were already bumping heads over whether or not the highly popular Who’s Who component of the book would remain or go. Thank goodness the bell rang and Laurel did not have to face down anyone over her hoped for decision that go was to be the outcome for that part of the book.
As if wondering about just how much authority she should wield, and noticing Matt’s blue eyes, were not enough Laurel’s best friend Anna Wilson’s match making is becoming another matter.
And the tale continues, Laurel’s parents are a tad preoccupied with thoughts of their 25th high school reunion, balding head, love handles, crows feet and all. The former adorable couple of long ago Who’s Who are beginning to show, if not act their age.
A decoy date, bird watching, rock climbing Bret Fleet does not fool Anna. Laurel’s sister Iris is a normal noisy, awkward 12 year old, or maybe her awkwardness is more than meets the eye and Matt just may already have a girlfriend. Romance with a football player, kind of, pictures for the year book, a flat tire, and kids hanging out at Shakeys all figure in the tale angst, senior year and hope for the future.
Writer Herrick has crafted another delight in words on the pages of All’s Fair in Love and Words.
With All’s Fair in Love and Words Ann Herrick has turned out a charming account sure to give reading pleasure to girls in the target audience of eleven to young adult readers. The low key romantic implication, along with the amiable authenticity forwarded by Laurel as she travels along endeavoring to decipher what her role as the year book editor needs to be, as well as the tangle of a relationship she does, doesn’t does again hope for, are all factors to pique interest among the target audience.
As always, Herrick’s characters are nicely fleshed despite the brevity of the work. Settings are depicted in enough specificity to bring the reader into scenes. While reading the words set down by gifted author Herrick we feel the torment of teens, are caught up in the concern Laurel has concerning this her first big role before leaving high school and moving into a world where she will be expected to behave in an adult manner, and share with her some our own moments. High school is a time we adults look back upon fondly, even as we heave a great sigh of relief that it is s over and we do not have to do this again.
All’s Fair in Love and Words is a swift, enjoyable read sure to be read and reread by girls in the target audience. No doubt the kindle edition will be taken by young women as they travel with family –who just can’t understand- to summer vacation spots. The paper copy will be nice for a lazy afternoon spent laying on a blanket on the grass and reading.
From the opening paragraphs as Laurel sets about to create a memorable year, do a good job as an editor and to move from that role as a teen into the one she will fill as an adult, right down to the last lines as she begins to understand that life is rarely predictable, often muddled and frequently not as first thought; All’s Fair in Love and Words holds reader interest fast.
Laurel, her friend Anna, as well as the others who people the pages are likeable, credible people. As Laurel learns to laugh at herself, demonstrates many of the qualms and self-contempt as is so often realized in many of the youngsters in the target audience; the reader often finds a chuckle bursting from smiling lips. Writer Herrick delicately guides young readers toward realization that fussing over power struggle, and boyfriends, and misconception are pretty much a part of being the age they are, and are not only to be expected but are merely a part of the work of growing up.
Laurel, as are many in the target audience, is a true delight.
All’s Fair in Love and Words is sure to be an excellent addition for home and school library. Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend Ann Herricks’ All’s Fair in Love and Words.
=========================== Reviewed by Molly’s Reviews molly martin ===========================

Product Details
TITLE ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND WORDS
AUTHOR Ann Herrick
Cover art Michelle Lee
GENRE YA
Reading Level: middle grades – young adult
Pages 51
ISBN: 978-1-926965-60-4
BWLPP (Books We Love Publishing Partners) 192 Lakeside Greens Drive Chestermere, Alberta, T1X 1C2 Canada Available in various formats including paper, kindle, see author website
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About the Author: internet search reveals : Ann Herrick grew up in Connecticut, graduated from The Morgan School and Quinnipiac University and today lives in Oregon with her high school sweetheart, husband. While Herrick misses the East Coast, especially houses built before 1900, she enjoys the green valleys, fresh air and low humidity in the Willamette Valley of Oregon.
Cats, walking, the Oregon Ducks and working in her back yard number among Herricks’ interests in addition to writing stories and books for children and young adults. Herrick furthers her skills writing copy for humorous and conventional greeting cards; and has over 100 humorous greeting card ideas sold to companies including Gibson, Hallmark and Oatmeal Studios. Two fillers with her taglines have appeared in The New Yorker as has a writing tip in Writer's Digest.
As a tribute to her skill; Herricks’ books have received the ALA Recommended Book for Reluctant Readers Award, the IRA/CBC Children's Choice award and EPPIE Young Adult Finalist Award.
Herrick has had many short stories published in magazines including Listen, 'Teen, The Single Parent, Children's Digest and The Friend.
She loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted through her web site.
Parent’s to one child, the Herricks daughter is grown, married, gainfully employed, and has given the Herricks a grand-dog, Puff, a bloodhound-rottweiller-beagle mix.