The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti

Summary:(from book jacket) Jade DeLuna is too young to die. She knows this and yet she can't quite believe it, especially when the terrifying thoughts, loss of breath, and dizzy feelings come. Since being diagnosed with Panic disorder, she's trying her best to stay calm, and visiting the elephants at the nearby zoo seems to help. Thats' why Jade keeps the live zoo web cam on in her room, and that's where she first sees the boy in the red jacket. A boy who stops to watch the elephants. A boy carrying a baby. His name is Sebastian and he is raising his son alone. Jade is drawn into Sebastian's cozy life with his son and his activist grandmother on their Seattle houseboat, and before she knows it, she's in love. With this boy who has lived through harder times than anyone she knows. This boy with a past. Jade knows the situation is beyond complicated, but she hasn't felt this safe in a long time. She owes it all to Sebastian, her boy with the great heart. her boy who is hiding a secret. A secret that will force Jade to decide between what is right and what feels right.
Review: I thought this book was a really sweet and awesome story about love and family and the many different relationships that are made throughout a lifetime. I rarely see books about a teen father raising a child and it was a nice change. I also really liked the way that the elephants tied into the story. It made the book that much more special. However, I thought the plot moved pretty slowly during some parts and I didn't really see the chemistry between the characters and was kind of annoyed at how they met and quickly became friends. I did really like all the characters though. Jade is awesome and her growth throughout the book was great, and Sebastian happens to be the sweetest guy ever. Although, both characters have their own issues they are dealing with, being together seemed to make them both stronger. I have read and loved other books by Deb Caletti and although I did enjoy this one a lot it just wasn't my favorite. I found some things to be kind of predictable and Sebastian's secret was really annoying. Overall, I thought this one was pretty good.