Books with author Donna Freitas

What this book is NOT:The fear-based How-To on sex and consent, oversimplified and focused on technicalities, that represents so much of our sexual education today.What this book IS:A journey into the Big Questions that will turn you into a thinking person about sex and consent, with the ability to wrestle towards the answers that work for YOU and continue to wrestle towards them for the rest of your life.What is the meaning and purpose of sex? How does it intersect with who I am? Why are people so afraid of it? What does a healthy and joyful approach to sex look like for me? Why is consent so much more than a yes or no question?Who this book is FOR:Everybody!! No matter your sexuality, gender, religion, or race.What could be more essential?

A summer romance filled with danger and lies Jane is ready for a fantastic summer. In fact, she’s pretty sure the universe owes her one. This past winter, Jane was held at knifepoint during an armed robbery and the specter of that night still haunts her. A summer romance with one of the town bad boys—sexy Handel Davies, who takes her breath away and makes her feel like a bolder version of herself—seems like the universe’s way of paying her back. But bad boys always have secrets, and Handel’s secret just might shatter Jane completely. This suspense novel marries psychological thriller with summer romance and is perfect for teen fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. “Tempting, sexy, and dangerous, this book will steal your heart. I was...completely lured by the story's dark twists and turns.” –Marie Rutkoski, author of The Winner’s Curse "Donna Freitas's stunning prose catapulted this dark, seductive tale straight into my head and heart. This is a perfect read for thrill-seeking teens." --Anna Collomore, author of The RuiningAdvance praise for THE TENDERNESS OF THIEVES:"The meandering, dreamy language—grass is 'tender with the newness of life,' and Jane's desire makes her heart 'flutter like the wings of a hummingbird'—is perfect for the hazy, hot summer days depicted."--Kirkus Reviews"Full of passion, tenderness, and fun...readers will enjoy the chemistry that simmers between Jane and Handel....For a summer romance with a twist, Freitas delivers."--Publishers Weekly "Both the romance and mystery are skillfully told, with smooth, believable dialogue and well-developed characters....The surprise ending is likely to spark discussion, especially for those with strong feminist viewpoints."--Booklist Praise for Donna Freitas's previous books: “Love and death are always a potent mix, and in the hands of a talented writer like Freitas, this is especially so.”—Booklist “This is an amazing story about love, loss, and the healing power of music.”—Morgan Matson, author of Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour “A riveting portrayal of the corruption of power and, ultimately, the triumph of innocence.”—Francisco Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World Donna Freitas's Awards The Gorgeous Game – 2010 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books Sex & the Soul – 2008 A Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly The Survival Kit – 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults List for Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA); 2013 Bookstar Award (Switzerland)

Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she’s still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Seem strange? Well, to Antonia, saints are royalty, and she wants her chance at being a princess. All her life she’s kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Unfortunately, the two events Antonia’s prayed for seem equally unlikely to happen. It’s not for lack of trying. For how long has she been hoping to gain the attention of the love of her life – the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini? Too long to mention. And every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. So what if she’s not dead? But as Antonia learns, in matters of the heart and sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and sometimes you need to recognize the signs.

A CHILLING NOVEL ABOUT THE ISOLATION OF BEING STALKED AND THE ABUSE OF POWER. Olivia Peters is over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and muchadored local priest Mark D. Brendan, offers to become her personal writing mentor. But when Father Mark’s enthusiasm for Olivia’s prose develops into something more, Olivia’s emotions quickly shift from wonder to confusion to despair. Exactly what game is Father Mark playing, and how on earth can she get out of it? This remarkable novel about overcoming the isolation that stems from victimization is powerful, luminous, and impossible to put down.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Peters is absolutely over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and much-adored local priest Mark D. Brendan, selects her from hundreds of other applicants as the winner of his writing contest. Not only is she invited to take his class at the local university; she also gets one-on-one sessions with him to polish her story and prepare it for publication. But the writing sessions escalate into emails, and texts, and IMs, and gifts, and social events. What was once a delightful opportunity has become a dreadful burden. What kind of game is Father Mark playing? And how on earth can she get out of it?

My name saint is famous for her purity. Her untouched-by-boys-ness.I am also famous for this, by concidence.Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: At fifteen, she’s still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Unfortunately, the two events seem equally unlikely to happen, but it’s not for lack of trying. Every month for the last eight years, Antonia has proposed a new patron saint to the Vatican, bravely offering herself for the post. (So what if she’s not dead?) And she’s been praying for the attention of the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini way too long to admit. But then there’s her friend Michael McGinnis. Antonia doesn’t even know what to ask the saints to do about that situation. He’s kissed all the girls in school. Should she just get it over with and kiss Michael? Not a chance! Prospective saints never give up that easily.

A CHILLING NOVEL ABOUT THE ISOLATION OF BEING STALKED AND THE ABUSE OF POWER. Olivia Peters is over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and muchadored local priest Mark D. Brendan, offers to become her personal writing mentor. But when Father Mark’s enthusiasm for Olivia’s prose develops into something more, Olivia’s emotions quickly shift from wonder to confusion to despair. Exactly what game is Father Mark playing, and how on earth can she get out of it? This remarkable novel about overcoming the isolation that stems from victimization is powerful, luminous, and impossible to put down.

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Peters is absolutely over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and much-adored local priest Mark D. Brendan, selects her from hundreds of other applicants as the winner of his writing contest. Not only is she invited to take his class at the local university; she also gets one-on-one sessions with him to polish her story and prepare it for publication. But the writing sessions escalate into emails, and texts, and IMs, and gifts, and social events. What was once a delightful opportunity has become a dreadful burden. What kind of game is Father Mark playing? And how on earth can she get out of it?

Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she’s still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Seem strange? Well, to Antonia, saints are royalty, and she wants her chance at being a princess. All her life she’s kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Unfortunately, the two events Antonia’s prayed for seem equally unlikely to happen. It’s not for lack of trying. For how long has she been hoping to gain the attention of the love of her life – the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini? Too long to mention. And every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. So what if she’s not dead? But as Antonia learns, in matters of the heart and sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and sometimes you need to recognize the signs.

What this book is NOT:The fear-based How-To on sex and consent, oversimplified and focused on technicalities, that represents so much of our sexual education today.What this book IS:A journey into the Big Questions that will turn you into a thinking person about sex and consent, with the ability to wrestle towards the answers that work for YOU and continue to wrestle towards them for the rest of your life.What is the meaning and purpose of sex? How does it intersect with who I am? Why are people so afraid of it? What does a healthy and joyful approach to sex look like for me? Why is consent so much more than a yes or no question?Who this book is FOR:Everybody!! No matter your sexuality, gender, religion, or race.What could be more essential?