Lauren Strasnick

Book Title: NOTHING LIKE YOU 
Publication Date: October 20, 2009 
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon&Schuster

ISBN: 978-1-4169-82647

Author Website: http://www.laurenstrasnick.com

Description of Book: 

When Holly loses her virginity to Paul, a guy she barely knows, she assumes their encounter is a one-night stand. After all, Paul is too popular to even be speaking to Holly…and he happens to have a long-term girlfriend, Saskia. But ever since Holly's mom died six months ago, Holly has been numb to the world, and she's getting desperate to feel something, anything—so when Paul keeps pursuing her, Holly relents. Paul's kisses are a welcome diversion…and it's nice to feel like the kind of girl that a guy like Paul would choose. 

But things aren't so simple with Saskia around. Paul's real girlfriend is willowy and perfect… and nothing like Holly. To make matters worse, she and Holly are becoming friends. Suddenly the consequences of Holly's choices are all too real, and Holly stands to lose more than she ever realized she had.  

About the Author:

Lauren Strasnick grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, now lives in Los Angeles, and is a graduate of Emerson College and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) MFA Writing Program. NOTHING LIKE YOU is her first book.

Author Photo: Jade Chang

Excerpt:

So here’s where things started to get a little mixed up. 

I suddenly had a secret.  And it made me feel guilty, yeah, but I also felt really fantastic.  I felt the opposite of dead, really what I’d been striving for, and someone suddenly wanted me in a way I hadn’t been wanted before.  I didn’t even mind having to keep things to myself.   I mean, I thought the whole situation was really unfortunate, but I knew that I was the one he wanted more.  That if she weren’t so fragile, so unstable, he’d be with me for real.  No Saskia.  No secret affair.

Reviews:

“Nothing Like You is candid and quick-paced, with characters you can’t help but want the best for.” 

--Deb Caletti, National Book Award Finalist for Honey, Baby, Sweetheart