Age of Consent

A younger man . . . an older woman-is this the last taboo? Age of Consent offers a new kind of coming-of-age story, a novel that questions our rules for romance. High school sophomore Rusty Rasmussen's life transforms when he meets 24-year-old Carla Levy, the new teacher at his school. As they bond with each other over a shared sense of social justice and enthusiasm for music, underlying passions emerge. Once Rusty turns 16, the "age of consent," the two embark upon a tender and clandestine love affair that neither will ever forget.

"A poignant love story between a high school teacher and a sophomore. A great read!" -Jane Delynn, author of In Thrall

"Age of Consent is a daring and intimate novel that challenges our assumptions about romance and power. Even more than that, it captures the intensity of first love-its risks, its sweetness, and its lifelong imprint. Mark Thompson gives us a love story that resists easy judgment. What moved me most was not the scandal of the pairing, but the humanity of it-the way desire, conscience, and vulnerability collide." -Sonia Pilcer, author of Teen Angel

"Forget the 'Mrs. Robinson' jokes or any 'cougar' stereotypes. Age of Consent presents an unorthodox love story, as kindred spirits meet in a high school setting where neither is the other's teacher, coach, or counselor. The story's brisk present-tense narration reminds us of the experimental Seventies in which it takes place. Sometimes a great love is nourished when a woman invites a young man to transcend his age. That's the mythic essence of Age of Consent." -M. J. Moore, author of Star-Crossed Lovers: James Jones, Lowney Handy, and the Birth of From Here to Eternity

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