Back When You Were Easier to Love (Emily Wing Smith)

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         When Joy's boyfriend, Zan, decides to go to college a year early with no warning or explanation, Joy is devastated.  Zan was the only one who understood Joy and her feelings about life in conservative Haven, Utah.  After a few months of going through the motions of her senior year, Joy concludes that there is only one option left: go to California to find Zan and get some closure (or, if she's being honest, get Zan back).  Unfortunately, none of her friends are willing to accompany her on this secret mission.  That leaves Noah, Zan's former best friend, who got as little closure as Joy did when Zan left.  As this unlikely pair goes out in search of Zan, they discover that some friends aren't worth keeping.  

         Back When Your Were Easier to Love is a lot like another book I read recently, Getting Over Garrett Delaney.  When two books are this similar, it's really hard not to compare them.  Personally, I liked Garrett better.  Joy wasn't as strong a character (or a girl) as Sadie was.  Both were obsessed with the guys in their life, but Joy spends almost the entire book clinging to Zan.  It got kind of old after a while, especially when it became clear that Noah liked Joy.  Which is really strange, actually, seeing as Joy was openly mean and prejudiced against Noah because he was popular.  Joy's personality brought the book down for me.  However, Back When You Were Easier to Love would have a strong appeal for people who don't like to read books that include teens drinking alcohol or even kissing.  Most of the characters are Mormon, and their behavior is heavily influenced by their religious beliefs.  Kissing was only barely mentioned, and the strongest thing Joy and her friends drink is Sprite.  Unless this is important to you, though, I would recommend reading Getting Over Garrett Delaney instead.  In the end, I think it's a more enjoyable book.  

Rating: 3/5

Completed: June 20, 2012