Two-way Street [Paperback]

Lauren Barnholdt (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 26, 2007

there are two sides to every breakup.

This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.

Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.

It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.

But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.

Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...amusing...An appealing choice for teens." - Booklist

"Morris does a great job bringing the angst of teenaged relationships to life." - AudioFile

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

About the Author

Lauren Barnholdt is the author of the teen novels The Thing About the Truth, Sometimes It Happens, One Night That Changes Everything, Two-Way Street, and Watch Me. She is also the author of the middle grade novels The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney, Devon Delaney Should Totally Know Better, Four Truths and a Lie, Rules for Secret-Keeping, Fake Me a Match, and Girl Meets Ghost. She lives in Waltham, Massachusetts. Visit her at LaurenBarnholdt.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse; Original edition (June 26, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416913181
• ISBN-13: 978-1416913184
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too August 9, 2007

By TeensReadToo

Format:Paperback

Well-known for her first novel, Reality Chick, Lauren Barnholdt has a new offering worth checking out. TWO-WAY STREET is the perfect book if you are interested in learning about both sides in a couple's breakup.

Courtney and Jordan are about to begin a three day trip from their homes in Florida to their college orientation in Boston. Usually this would be cause for excitement, but this trip is bound to be uncomfortable. The reason is because, two weeks ago, Jordan broke up with Courtney, supposedly because he met a girl on MySpace. Since the plans for the trip have already been made, Courtney's parents are insisting that she stick with those plans and travel with her ex all the way to Boston.

The characters and details of this novel are well-developed. Courtney is ultra-organized, schedule-oriented, and germaphobic. Jordan is a relaxed, take-things-as-they-come, rap lover. The story reveals their quirky best friends who are always just a cell phone call away waiting to offer whatever support their own busy lives allow. The private lives of Jordan and Courtney's parents offer their own unique brand of suspense to the plot. In addition, an underlying thread of the plot involves continued references to the use of MySpace, which is sure to be an attention-grabber for teen readers.

Barnholdt created the book with alternating chapters. In Jordan's chapters he tells his version of the story before, during, and after the trip, and Courtney does the same in her chapters. This unique style allows readers to sort of "read between the lines" of the breakup. The characters are dealing with secrets they feel must not be revealed. The resulting tension and hard feelings created by the secrets will have readers rooting first for Jordan and then for Courtney.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely Done, With Great Twists June 26, 2007

By Ronni Davis

Format:Paperback

Two-Way Street, by the snarky Lauren Barnholdt, is an awesome read.

Told in the same back-and-forth time jump of her debut novel Reality Chick, Lauren added another level and threw in alternating viewpoints! My brain hurts just thinking about working on something like that! But Lauren pulled it off well.

Courtney is forced to drive across the country with her ex-boyfriend Jordan because well, they'd planned the trip before they broke up, and it was too late to make alternative arrangements. At least, that's the word out on the street. The other word is that Jordan dumped Courtney for a chick he met on MySpace. And now she has to ride across the country with him. The guy who dumped her for a MySpace skank who Courtney has named Mercedes in her mind.

Poor Courtney.

Poor Jordan, too. But it's not how you think.

The story jumps back and forth between the past, highlighting the development of their relationship, and the present--the three days on the road. You will be pleasantly surprised at the twists that pop up in this book, and you'll be rooting for both of them at the end.

My only complaint isn't even Lauren's fault. It's the cover artist's/photographer's fault. Jordan drives an SUV in the story, and there is a CONVERTIBLE on the cover. *grumble*

Oh well. The book's good.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it. January 19, 2008

By KAT

Format:Paperback

i've read this book so many times, the pages are all dog-eared and i still love it too pieces.
Courtney and Jordan are so great together and they just can't see that, it took them three whole days, jam-packed with drama and lies, to figure out what they have is so, ultimately, perfect, and they belong together.
This book is the best and i recommend you read it.