Quirky, fun read...great coming of age and "girlfriends" book ( )

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

For teenager Lucy Beauregard, love seems incomprehensible. It's not that she doesn't want to be in love someday, or even that she doesn't imagine the guy she might fall in love with -- it's just that she doesn't really understand love. Sure, she gets the basic idea, but deep down, real true love? What is it, really? And how do you know you're in it? How do you find it?

Lucy dated a guy last year; he was her first real kiss. At the time she thought she loved him. But now, he doesn't seem to matter so much. If it was really love, wouldn't it still matter? Is love what her best friend, Mary Jordan, has with her boyfriend? Then why does it get so confusing? Lucy's other best friend, Evie, seems to have some good theories. Surprising for someone whose own family breaks her heart over and over. And what about the new teacher who seems to be hitting on Lucy, even though she knows his wife and babysits for them? Lucy's only real example of love used to be her parents, but now even that looks like it's falling apart.

It seems like the harder Lucy tries to understand it all, the further she gets from it. It's all awfully confusing and difficult for something that seems like it should be natural and effortless!

Lucy learns some unbelievable things about life, people, heartache, pain, and yes, love, before the end of this story. At the end she's still the same Lucy, but stronger and wiser, and, at the same time, more willing to let go.

I love how perfect this book is! Love can seem confusing, and scary, and painful, and difficult. And it's all multiplied when you're just starting to figure it all out. I remember how tortured and intimidating everything about love and dating felt; this book took me completely back there. But it's also sweet and simple and wonderful in the most unexpected ways, just like this story. If you pay attention, the best lesson about love is in here. Just in case you miss it though, I'll tell you: No one can love you if you don't love yourself. Someone else can't make you whole. You have to do that yourself first.

A wonderful book about love and life, blended magically with a cajun soul. ( )

This summer for Lucy is going to bring her many new changes. She's never had much experience with dating, but this summer, that's about to change. She finds herself getting mixed up with an older teacher, even though she knows its wrong. However, she will soon find out who her true love of the summer is. While she has tumbling romantic emotions going on with herself, she also starts worrying about her Mother and Father's relationship when she spots her Mom with a new guy more and more often. Will Lucy and her two best friends be able to work together and find the answers that they so desperately need?

"Love, Cajun Style" was a really enjoyable read! I loved the way Diane portrayed her characters and her writing style. I found myself really liking the three best friends. If your looking for a good, light, summery, romance read, you've found it! Overall, I just really enjoyed this book!

Lucy is content with her life everything is perfect; until two new families move into town. Lucy's world seems to be spiraling out of control. Her mother, father, best friends, and aunt are all acting strange. To make matters worse, the new drama teacher and the new artist are nowhere near her liking.While all of this is occuring Lucy struggles to find the true meaning of love and its twisted forms, all awhile falling in love herself. I found this book a little boring in the beginning but soon fell in love with it! It was exciteing and full of twists. I was always reading to find out the final outcome. ( )