The Foreseeable Future

High school graduate Audrey is not looking forward to attending the northern California college where both her parents are professors. What does excite her is the idea of working as a nursing assistant over the summer. When she rescues a teen on the beach using her recently acquired CPR skills, Audrey’s life takes an unexpected turn: suddenly, she’s a local hero, and then—after a video of the event goes viral—a national one. Soon Audrey lands a job at a retirement center, becomes romantically involved with a fellow employee, and gains the confidence to follow her own dreams instead of meeting her parents’ expectations. A subplot involving tensions in Audrey’s parents’ marriage adds drama, as does Audrey’s excruciating decision-making process about whether to accept an attractive job offer far away from home or stay put to be with her boyfriend. In a story that raises the idea that college isn’t for everyone, Adrian (Like It Never Happened) creates a relatable heroine and a colorful cast of minor characters, including Audrey’s favorite retirement home resident, a former talent agent. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Susan Ginsburg, Writers House. (May) [/em]