Barnes & NobleReady or Not by Andi Porretta

A potent tale of departing friends

The desire to hold on to what was as the new begins hits with natural heart and heartache to bring the feelings home. High school is done and gone, leaving one last summer for the close group of four friends before each embarks on the next stage of their life. Only Cassie is staying in town and working at her parents' business until she decides what she wants to do. Her hope to spend the last three months with her friends before they split quickly dims as each one starts to slide into preparation for their departure Then, Cassie has an idea. With a more challenging game of dare, the group comes together. As they do, the fears and insecurities of each one starts to come to light...and they learn that even the long-years of friendship hasn't taught them everything there is to know about each other. The unsure time between high school and college/job comes across with angst, uncertainty, anticipation, and so many other emotions in a very familiar way, and these pages handle them wonderfully. Cassie's hopes meet disappointing reality as she wants to hold on to something that is already slipping away or, at least, changing. The doubt and sadness is understandable and easy to relate to as she simply wants to spend more time with her friends. This comes across even better thanks to the relationship between the four. They might have very different personalities, but it's clear they share a special connection, and this makes the sadness that they are about to part that much more potent. Yet, the growing schism is also obvious, especially as they push each other away thanks to their own fears of what is about to come and not being enough or really ready for it. The graphic novel aspect is nicely done. The artwork fits the atmosphere and brings across the emotions well. It creates an easy, quick read despite the depth and emotional weight. While this does make it much more approachable and allows the characters to connect with the reader in a visual way, it also skims a bit too quick over the circumstances when compared to a full-fleshed novel. This weakens the emotional possibilities and messaging, since it keeps the characters and their thoughts an arm's length away. This is a potent coming-of-age, which will hit home with anyone facing the changes which come when friends leave. It's has an honest and open atmosphere, and is an entertaining read with heart from beginning to end. I received a complimentary copy and found this interestingly and nicely done.