Disturbing portrait of a girl raised by fundamentalist Christians, and how it colors her life when she falls in love with an older man. The characterizations are well-done for the main characters, and the story is quite believable. ( )

From the very first page, the author had me hooked on this book. Grace, 18 and a senior in high school is about to go through some major changes in life. Growing up in a strict religious home isn't always easy, and when she strikes up an affair with a 26 year old local college professor by the name of Michael in her small town of Corbin, Michigan, her whole life is turned upside down. Barely 5 months into dating, she rebels against her father, loses her virginity to Michael and they get engaged. Blinded by what she believes is love, it doesn't take long before Michael becomes controlling and isolates her. But in the end, Michael is the one who winds up causing the relationship to end because of his choices to cross the boundaries with someone Grace never thought she couldn't trust. Along the way, Grace begins to truly figure out how to find her true self again and pick up the pieces. An excellent, well written book, I definitely recommend it. ( )

This work of young adult fiction shows promise! I would like to see the author produce a work of adult fiction. The characters have depth and are believable. Teen main character Grace encounters many choices and challenges during this coming of age story. Her interactions with family, friends and an older love interest are all very contemporary. Mature subjects? I don't think so in today's world. I liked the way the author dealt with each subject. The questions for discussion at the end of the book were very thought provoking. Good read. ( )

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

Grace is an eighteen-year-old girl who wants to, like any other teenager, break free of her home, the life she's always known, and her parents. Grace wants independence from her strict, fundamentalist Christian father and the house that looks like every other house on the street, in the neighborhood that is a prison to her.

When she meets older, charismatic college professor Michael, she thinks he is her escape. He's not that much older than she is, and he is oh so much more worldly and mature than the boys her age. Grace falls head over heels in love.

She had anticipated a life full of excitement, sophistication and happiness with him, but being involved with Michael brings unexpected complications to Grace's life. She doesn't want to stay with her father, but she's having doubts about her relationship with Michael, too...What is the right choice, and will Grace have the guts to make it?

HOW IT'S DONE is a wonderful book that should be required reading for everyone, especially teenage girls! Readers will feel drawn along with Grace as she is pulled into her love for Michael, as it changes her life. They will feel her elation as her life seems to be improving, and her helplessness and despair as the reality behind all that she thinks is true comes to light, and she is forced to deal with all of it at once.

Christine Kole Maclean, with her excellent writing, has created magnificent, believable characters who are all a part of the fantastic story she tells in HOW IT'S DONE. This is a brilliant, flawless novel in every way. It's a must-read! ( )