Lacey Anne Byer is an all around good girl. The daughter of Pastor Ted has never questioned her early curfew, or wanted to rock the boat when it came to the rules she was expected to follow. She was able to work and hangout with her friends. In a small town what more could want to do?
It's when she meets Ty Davis, a new boy in town, that she starts to wonder about life outside the safety net of her world. Why don't her parents want her to hang out with him, when at first they were encouraging her to get him more involved with the church? Then there is the Hell House, the annual project the church teens put on to try to bring people into the church. As a junior, Lacey is eligible to try out for one of the lead roles, which she is awarded the understudy. When the main actress has to leave town due to her pregnancy, Lacey throws herself in to the role.
These two events cause Lacy to question the rules and morals she has believed all her life. With her two best friends, Starla Joy and Dean, as well as with some help from Ty, Lacey starts to see life is a little less black and white, and starts to find the grey areas in between.
Author Melissa Walker takes on a lot in this book that will get you thinking. No matter what your religious beliefs are, you will find something to relate to in Small Town Sinners. Each of the characters are going through things that cause them to question their faith and life. From Ty working out issues from his past, to Lacey, struggling with stepping away from her parents influence, the problems faced by these teens are relate-able.
Readers who enjoyed Laurent Myracle's Shine or Robin Brande's Evolution, Me and Other Freaks of Nature will find Small Town Sinners to be a thought provoking read.
I'll see you @ the library!
Katie (Still working on Rotters, with Addie on the Inside on deck!)