A perfect blend of drama, humor, and warmth.
A master of managing unfair assumptions, scrappy high-school senior Claire Jackson has an unusually heavy load to bear. After her parents’ divorce, Claire becomes responsible for an unexpected baby brother and an increasingly despondent mother. Always the overachiever, Claire wholeheartedly steps into the role of caregiver, but managing a household at seventeen was never part of her plan. Packing diaper bags, worrying about finances, and toting baby Harry to and from daycare quickly take priority over the linear path to a successful future she envisioned for herself. Fortunately, Clarie’s no-nonsense best friend, the captivating Madison Sunday, helps keep things light, even when home life gets overwhelming. But when Chad, the handsome new transfer, takes a keen interest in Claire, their growing relationship threatens to drive a wedge between the tight friendship Claire has with Madison. Making matters worse is an intrusive and controlling uncle whose selfish goals are no help to the fragile family. Used to acting more like an adult than everyone around her, will the final year of high school be the first test Claire can’t ace?
A story about following our dreams when they seem impossibly far away, Complicated Choices is a perfect blend of drama, humor, and warmth. Boasting a cast of loyal friends and difficult family members, the story highlights how far we’re willing to go for the ones we love. As Claire balances where she’s going in the world with where she’s been, steady relationships are often the only thing keeping her grounded. Realistic interactions allow readers to feel connected to the characters and invested in their relationships. With heartfelt authenticity, Risa Nyman fully captures the fierce sense of forward-thinking independence typical of early adulthood, embodied by a resilient young girl. Not only will Claire’s courageous perspective resonate with young adults, but the overall narrative arc will help them find their own voice at a time in life when it’s common to struggle with selfhood and decision-making. Right from the opening, heavy themes like depression and broken families are explored, yet the book remains balanced through lighter topics like baby barf and shopping sprees. With a dynamic plot, a slow-simmer romance, and an ending worth waiting for, Complicated Choices is a brilliant contemporary young adult novel that lives up to its name.
