Books with author Ann Herriges

Becca's in high school, but she hasn't been on the same page as her best friends since just before the start of middle school and she doesn't know exactly how things got so different. Not different in some edgy, gritty, she's-a-rebel way. More of a Yes-she's-a-dork way. Which makes it all the more amazing that while other friendships have crashed and burned all around them the four of girls have managed to stay Best Friends Forever. She doesn't need to share in her friends' spotlight. Becca's happy to follow along in the shadows, as long as she's not totally cast aside. She's definitely not ready for guys. In fact, she just wants to skip right over high school and jump straight to twenty-two. By then she figures she will have gotten through her first date, first kiss, passed her driver's test, taken the SATs, filled out all those college applications, somehow survived living in a dorm and gotten her college degree without all the anxiety and drama. Instead, just after silently deciding to not even think about guys and concentrate on school work for the next four years, she is instantly mesmerized by Brent, a seriously great-looking senior who also happens to have a long-time girlfriend, Claire. Not one to be the "other woman," Becca imagines creative ways for Claire to be out of Brent's life. Meanwhile, Becca forms a strictly friends-only relationship with Colt. Becca and Colt turn out be good partners when it comes to studying, taking pictures for the school newspaper and working on a term paper together. But when one day Claire makes an offer about Brent that Becca can't resist, that changes everything.

Becca hasn't been on the same page as her best friends since just before the start of middle school and she doesn't know exactly how things got so different. Not different in some edgy, gritty, she's-a-rebel way. More of a Yes-she's-a-dork way. Which makes it all the more amazing that while other friendships have crashed and burned all around them the four girls have managed to stay Best Friends Forever. She doesn't need to share in her friends' spotlight. Becca's happy to follow along in the shadows, as long as she's not totally cast aside.She definitely not ready for guys. In fact, she just wants to skip right over high school and jump straight to twenty-two. By then she figures she will have gotten through her first date, first kiss, passed her driver's test, taken the SATs, filled out all those college applications, somehow survived living in a dorm and gotten her college degree without all the anxiety and drama.Instead, just after silently deciding to not even think about guys and concentrate on school work for the next four years, she is instantly mesmerized by Brent, a seriously great-looking senior who also happens to have a long-time girlfriend, Claire. Not one to be the "other woman," Becca imagines creative ways for Claire to be out of Brent's life. Meanwhile, Becca forms a strictly friends-only relationship with Colt, who she first thinks of as "Farmboy." Becca and Colt turn out be good partners when it comes to studying, taking pictures for the school newspaper and working on a term paper together. But when one day Claire makes an offer about Brent that Becca can't resist, that changes everything.

Hey, Nobody's PerfectInsulting a guy in a wheelchair—is that any way to start a romance? Life was complicated enough for Sivia before a guy with no legs came into her life. Family friction, peer pressure and her overly controlling father are threats to her budding relationship with Keeley—but prejudices she never knew she had and doesn't want to acknowledge are the biggest hurdle of all.The Real MeWhen Mattie has issues with her weight, she decides to take charge of her life, redo her image, find confidence and maybe even dare to talk to guys. Will a change in lifestyle, a friend, a tormentor, and a dream guy help Mattie discover her real self and find romance along the way?The Perfect GuyCan Rebecca turn her new stepbrother into her new love? When Rebecca's mother marries Pres's father, Rebecca is sure that living in the same house with the guy of her dreams will have its perks and it will be just a matter of time before Pres sees her as more than a kid sister. But things don't go as planned, and as friendships start to change, Rebecca faces surprising truths about herself and her friends. Will she find happiness in her new family and find The Perfect Guy?REVIEWS for PERFECT LOVE books:"...it is delightful to trace the twists and turns of the plot… filled with honesty, tenderness, humor, and serious moments… deep, meaningful, and overall a beautiful story… a plot that is big on empowerment…a great insight into the realization that not all is how it appears to be at first…sometimes perfect isn't what you first imagined."

A story of how love heals and love endures. Eric and Glynnie go from butting heads to grudging friendship to something more ....If you enjoy the kind of quirky off-beat characters you find in Sarah Dessen's novels, you'll love The Farewell Season. Eric used to think he'd live forever, but not anymore. As football season starts, he hopes he can live normally again after the death of his father. But his refusal to face his grief results in anger at his coach, fights with his sister, resenting added responsibilities, and disillusionment with football. It takes a special relationship with Glynnie, who is struggling with the divorce of her parents, to open his heart to love again.Reviews“… This book was beautifully written. There were moments that I laughed, got frustrated, and cried, but mostly I felt hopeful that this boy and this girl would be able to comfort each other and begin to heal ….”~~ The Autumn Review“… I easily connect with stories that deal with personal issues of triumph after tragedy, and the journey they require. The Farewell Season is definitely one of those stories. I will admit that I cried while reading this book because I am that connected with Eric. Yes, I totally bond with a guy. In a book. Who is fictional. Go. Figure …”~~Lauren, Epilogue Reviews“…this was an excellent book about love and loss, grief and acceptance. Thought provoking, and sensitive this is a book that is better than many in the genre. A nice love story is always good, but this was that and oh so much more. I liked that it ended in a very real way. There wasn't a magic wand cure all end, it was real, and all the more touching and much more impact for that realism. Highly recommended.”~~ Michael Burhans“…This is really a lovely book, with a sweet tone and story that pulls you into its world subtly but deeply, until you begin to care deeply about the characters and the way they are all dealing with change, loss, grief, old pain and new beginnings…This is a quietly emotional read that will sneak up on your heart (and tear ducts) if you let yourself sink into its world….”Fred LeBaron, Librarian"…compelling story... an important lesson about life and loss....This story crosses the 'goal line'--both for teens who may face similar hurdles, and for those who wonder about such 'what ifs' in life that may be befall them."~~ ALAN Review, Vol. 39, No. 3

When Gwynne is forced to leave New York City and all her summer plans for a personal makeover to visit her cousin Neeta in Oregon, she can't believe she's being sent to "the middle of nowhere." What's in Oregon anyway, besides trees and bears? And what's this about a monster called "Bigfoot?" Gwynne wonders how she'll ever survive her trip to the wilderness. It isn't long, however, before cousin Neeta wonders how the wilderness will survive Gwynne's visit! On a camping trip Gwynne gets lost, has an encounter with a bear, stumbles on the stars from her favorite soap opera, and adds to the legend of Bigfoot. But along the way, she learns to appreciate the magic and purpose of old-growth trees and the philosophy of leaving only footprints in the ancient forest.

When Mattie has issues with her weight, she decides to take charge of her life, redo her image, find confidence and maybe even dare to talk to guys. Will a change in lifestyle, a friend, a tormentor, and a dream guy help Mattie discover her real self and find romance along the way?Reviews"…a charming young adult novel about love and identity. Mattie, the first-person narrator, is a spunky heroine who takes charge of her life, makes mistakes, dusts herself off, and tries again. Kevin, her heartthrob, is both believable and appealing. The plot moves quickly with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing about whether-and with whom-Mattie will find true love ….~~Debra Stang, eBook Reviews Weekly"…Ann Herrick delivers a plot that is big on empowerment for the female teen, while exploring the conflicting emotions, uncertainty, and dreams that are prevalent in those "between" years. [She] tells a story about a young woman who has character, a sense of compassion, strong commitment, determination, and understanding beyond her years. We see the questions about ethics, compassion and morality arise and how they are handled. This is a very good portrayal of the teen years, addressing some of the issues that are faced, the challenges and opportunities that can arise, and the choices that are made. Best of all, we watch Mattie bloom before our very eyes and grow into what she calls, "the real me."~~Kim Green-Spangler, Womenonwriting.com"…a great insight into the insecurities, hopes, dreams, and confusion of being a teenager, and the self-acceptance and realization that not all is how it appears to be at first. Mattie is self-conscious over her appearance, little realizing that her true beauty has been shining forth all the time – even without the weight loss and haircut. The new look just gives her the self-confidence to hold her head high and let the “real” Mattie shine forth. She realizes that even guys, and the “popular” kids, have insecurities and fears of their own…I found it to be entertaining, and…I plan on reading more of Ms. Herrick’s books in the future."~~Teresa Henson, Romance Junkies

City girl, country guy. Will opposites attract—or clash? When New-York-City girl Emily visits her cousin Janelle in Oregon, Emily wonders how she'll survive the wilderness. Janelle wonders if the wilderness will survive Emily's visit—and if she can convince her cousin to help save part of an old-growth forest. Meanwhile, Emily also wonders if a big-city girl can get along with a county guy—named Bret. Under forest canopies and by crystal-clear waters she struggles with her growing attraction to him. But they're so different. Whoever thought she'd fall for someone like him?

What secrets are revealed when six teens get trapped at school on a Saturday?Wes and his best buds, Tony and Jeff, have enough brain power to fuel the entire sophomore class, but when it comes to their social lives, they are totally inept. So they volunteer to organize the art room on Saturday knowing three certain cheerleaders will be there for practice. Trouble is, none of the guys can come up with a plan to take advantage of the opportunity to be the only six students in the building. Then, thanks to a freak snowstorm, they're snowed in, which isn't so bad when the girls of their horniest dreams are there, too. Maybe it could give Wes the chance to make his fantasies about Ellyce come true! However, the last thing Wes expects is to be caught in a game that forces everyone to share his deepest secret. He fears if Ellyce discovers the story of his alcoholic father and abandonment by his mother, she'll never want anything to do with him.

Greta can't wait to be at the top of the grade-school heap--especially since she's dealing with loss at home. Her father's away in Antarctica, her mother's still angry with Greta's Dad for leaving, and Grampa's losing his memory. But even sixth grade starts to feel like life stinks. Greta discovers she's not in the same classroom with her best friend. New girl Kiki moves onto the scene and starts acting like the boss of the whole sixth grade. And the handsome new teacher seems way too interested in Greta's mother. Greta agrees to be a candidate for class president only to stop Kiki from winning. She regrets accepting Kiki's bet that if Kiki wins the election, she gets to tell Greta what to do for the whole school year. It takes some inspiration from her school project about René Descartes and his "I think, therefore I am" beliefs to help Greta keep her sixth-grade experience from totally going down the toilet.Grades 3-6

Can Kaysie have a summer romance with Troy and still remain true to Brian? After all, Brian did tell her to have a fling or two while she was on vacation! But what happens when feelings and hormones collide? Can Kaysie trust her heart to stay on track? And how is she going to keep an eye on her mother and Troy's father--who just happens to be Mom's former summer romance? How did fun in the summer sun get so complicated, anyway?***I so never planned on having a summer romance. And I totally never expected my mother to have one. I mean, she's such a relic that her husband is actually my father. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I want to tell this story before I forget it. After all, in just a few short years I'll be in my twenties and I'll start losing ten thousand brain cells a day.So, near as I can remember, this is the beginning …****"Wake up, sleepyhead."An elbow jabbed my ribs. Brian's elbow. Panic! Confusion! What was I doing waking up with Brian? I'd be grounded until the next century!"Kaysie, you were the one who wanted to see the sunrise. Remember?" Brian sighed. "That's why we've been parked at the edge of Stanton Pond for the last hour.""Oh …" I lifted my head from Brian's shoulder. "Right."I yawned and stretched, then focused my eyes on the horizon. The sky turned pink. Rays of pale golden light filtered through the maple trees lining the far side of the pond. The sky grew brighter until the great yellow sphere appeared. I closed my eyes. Even in the car I felt the warmth of the sun on my face.I hoped it signaled a beginning and not an end. I hadn't really wanted to see the sunrise so much as I'd wanted to spend another hour with Brian. I mean, at long last, after several false starts, I actually had a boyfriend. Being with him for his graduation party wasn't enough. Not when, in a few short hours, I would be dragged off to Lake Whatamacallit for a whole month."I'm going to miss you," Brian said."Me, too." It totally wasn't fair. We'd started dating only two months ago. For a moment, I almost smiled as I remembered celebrating my sixteenth birthday at The Pizza Parlor with my best friend, Venetia. Brian had strolled by and noticed the candles on my sausage-and-mushroom pizza."So, you're sixteen now …," he'd said with a big smile.Next day he called and asked me out. I was so shocked I needed a self-inflicted Heimlich maneuver. Not that I was couple crazed. But I was ready to relate. I managed to say Yes. I mean, on the Boy-o-meter scale, Brian was definitely cute, almost to the point of being hot, and, not-so-incidentally, he was a main brain."I wish I'd get more time off this summer," Brian said, dragging me back to the present. "Then I could visit you.""Me, too." I tried to swallow the trace of resentment I still had after hearing about Brian's job. Only one day off every two weeks! Not enough time to drive up from Connecticut to visit me in New Hampshire. Okay, being a counselor at the camp for disadvantaged kids was important to him. I guess that was one of the reasons I cared about him. But there was this small part of me okay, a not-so-small part that wished he couldn't live without me. I mean, is that too much to ask?Then, out of the currently clear blue sky, Brian said those magic words, "I love you." He twisted his school ring off his finger and held it up to me. "And … and I'd like you to wear this."Whoa! No one I knew gave a girl his school ring. That was the kind of thing that went on in the olden days when Mom was young. But when I saw the sunlight bouncing off the gold, I lusted after that ring. "Oh, Brian," I whispered as I reached for it."But, well, um … we have to say goodbye for now." He stuck the ring back on his finger! Brian was quiet for a moment, then said, "I I don't know exactly how to say this. But, uh, after you come back, if we … we still feel the same way about each other, would you take my ring then?""I do