Zero by Tom Leveen

Summary:(from goodreads) For aspiring artist Amanda Walsh, who only half-jokingly goes by the nickname Zero, the summer before college was supposed to be fun—plain and simple. Hanging out with her best friend Jenn, going to clubs, painting, and counting down the days until her escape. But when must-have scholarship money doesn't materialize, and she has a falling out with Jenn that can only be described as majorly awkward, and Zero's parents relationship goes from tense to relentless fighting, her prospects start looking as bleak and surreal as a painting by her idol Salvador Dali. Will life truly imitate art? Will her new, unexpected relationship with a punk skater boy who seems too good to be real and support from the unlikeliest of sources show Zero that she's so much more than a name.
Review: The main reason I was so excited to read this book is because I really enjoyed Party and wanted to see if this one could be as good. I have to say that is was. The plot was wasn't to intense as this is definitely a character driven story. My favorite thing about this book is the characters. Zero is fun quirky character that I think tons of people can relate to. Mike and his friends were also really cool characters that I enjoyed getting to know. The fight between Zero and Jenn added a certian complexity that the bff sidekick character is sometimes lacking in these types of stories. Another great thing about this book was the character development that happened over the course of the book. Zero really grew up alot by the end of the book and the ways she had changed made me really like her. Also, I can think of a few ya characters who would not have made the same choices she did. If you are looking for a good contemporary read I highly reccomend this one.