The first thing that struck me about Reunited was how easy it was to relate to at least one of the three main characters. Alice is smart and motivated. She plans on attending a prestigious college, and is always on top of things. Summer is into boys, writing poetry and hanging out with her friends. Tiernan is rebellious and hurt by her parents' divorce. With this range of personalities, it was easy to identify with the thoughts and feelings of the characters. This made it easier to care about the girls and their journey.
The obstacles placed in the girls' way kept the road trip interesting and exciting to read about. The three girls ran over a squirrel, tore kudzu off of a shed, and performed a synchronized dance routine onstage- all while getting to know each other again. Exciting twists and turns prevented the plot from feeling cliche.
The girls' hesitant friendship, which develops throughout the story, is completely believable and well described. From their arguments to their silences, every interaction between the girls feels real, justified, and meaningful.
Overall, Reunited is a funny, lighthearted and entertaining road trip book that will delight fans of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I would recommend it to preteen and teenage girls who enjoy realistic fiction and humor.
