Though this is a sequel, you really don't need to read Rules of the Road to enjoy this one since the events of the first novel are neatly recapped. In fact, I think this one is even better than its predecessor. Maybe this is because even though the characters are still larger than life, I find the new characters introduced more realistic than the old ones. Or maybe it's because Jenna actually gets to interact with people her own age this time around. Jenna is someone who is very focused, tightly wound, and much older than her years. Seeing her forced to interact with people in her own age group instead of senior citizens helps her unwind a little bit. It's nice to see that despite all of her responsibility and her adult-level stress, she can still be a teenage girl. She still gets nervous around boys, still argues with her little sister, and still has a lot to learn.

Joan Bauer still uses her very straightforward, matter-of-fact style when continuing Jenna's story here, but I think she has softened a bit since the last book. If the last book was easy to digest, this one flows like water — I got through it in no time. And like the last one, I wouldn't call it a must-read, but still worth a trip to the local library.