This is a smart feminist* novel. The story sheds light on some unfinished business of the women’s movement: where sex is concerned, girls are still either “good” or “bad,” while boys are allowed more nuance*.

    Natalie is the kind of girl who is always in control, and her senior year at Ross Academy is going to be perfect. She has been elected student council president. She has earned the respect of a teacher she admires. Her best friend, Autumn, is by her side. She doesn’t need boys. Her poise is rattled when she meets Spencer, who encourages other freshman girls to claim their “sexual power,” calling themselves Rosstitutes and hitting on* seniors.

    Natalie organizes a Girl Summit, an “empowerment symposium” for female students.

    As she flounders* in leadership, she wonders: Can I ask for help? From a cute boy, Connor? The “good girl” Natalie is more complex than she appears. Indeed, all of Siobhan Vivian’s characters are recognizable types and human at the same time. The dialogue and emotional honesty are pitch-perfect. Natalie and Connor’s love scenes are as steamy and fraught* as anything in Judy Blume’s “Forever” (Bradbury, 1975). The overall message of the novel is that sex is joyful and should be embraced — but it is complicated*.

    In Natalie’s effort to be an independent woman who refuses to be used by a man, she inadvertently* uses Connor. Clearly, gender relations have a long way to go — especially in high school.

    The book is available at jd.com.

    (SD-Agencies)