The ending is satisfying, though largely unsurprising. A Christmas tale, the plot is a fast-paced series of dinners, parties, and games, relayed in both narrative form and via texts, though the humor occasionally feels stiff and overwrought. The pace is quick and light, though the characters are fairly shallow and occasionally feel interchangeable, especially with so many names involved. But will Sophie really find someone to fill the space left by her ex? Will her ex get wind of Sophie’s dating spree via social media and want them to get back together? Is that what she even wants anymore? This is a fun story of finding love, getting to know yourself, and getting to know your family. Everyone gets involved with the matchmaking, even forming a betting pool on the success of each date. And when her grandmother forms a plan to distract Sophie from her broken heart-10 blind dates, each set up by different family members-she’s even less thrilled. When Sophie unexpectedly breaks up with her boyfriend, she isn’t thrilled about spending the holidays at her grandparents’ house instead of with him. Is an exuberant extended family the cure for a breakup? Sophie is about to find out. Those who spot the foreshadowing won't be surprised by the twist, but the story remains intriguing enough to keep reading.Īn absorbing, if occasionally predictable, time-travel mystery with a side of romance The author refreshingly swaps teen-lit gender stereotypes in the fairly formulaic but nonetheless satisfying romance: she's the edgy, brooding girl with the heart of gold, and he's the adorable, inexperienced good guy. But when they end up 30 years in the future and discover that everyone but Adam doesn't seem to exist anymore, the conspiracy theories begin to fly. They're to collect technology, sketches, and impressions of the future world. Their mission is to slip through a time portal leaving them 10 years in the future for 24 hours. Her team includes three fellow desperate teens-hotheaded black mechanic Chris, homeless white lockpick Trent, introverted Asian artist Zoe-and Adam, a cute, white science nerd. When an executive from the Aether Corporation offers her a spot on a short-term project for a great deal of money, she has no qualms about signing on. She's an intelligent foster-care kid about to turn 18 without any foreseeable job or college prospects. A Latina teen with total recall joins four other young Angelenos with special skills on a secret time-travel mission to the future.Īlthough she has an eidetic memory, Elena Martinez has little else going for her.

Future Shock by Elizabeth Briggs