From Bad to Worse by Todd & Jedd Hafer Published by: Navpress (2007) 259 pages Rating: 9/10 Buy it Now:    Also by Todd & Jedd Hafer: Stranger in the Chat Room Bad Idea

Bad Idea was a brilliant rambling novel getting inside a modern-day teen's head and revealing more than some people might want to know. Utilizing the classic road trip formula, Todd and Jedd Hafer came up with a highly relevant yet eminently readable story. From Bad to Worse picks up that story where it left off and takes it on in new directions.... literally, since it's a road trip going back the opposite direction!

Griffin Smith and Amanda Mac (the girl he's always loved but could never admit to) are on their way back home from college for the summer. Amanda tosses out various "rules" including "Five Minutes of Truth" designed to force Griffin to reveal his feelings, not just about her, but many other things, including what he thinks about God.

Griffin's relationship with God is a complicated thing. In fact, ALL his relationships are complicated things, sort of like real life. And just like real life, two freshmen college students of opposite gender traveling across the country are not going to make it without some serious temptations and/or trouble.

But there's more trouble when Griffin finally arrives home. His family is a bit more messed-up than even he knew, he can't go back to old relationships without compromising his new-found convictions. And just when he thinks everything's starting to work out a little better, another of his mistakes comes back to haunt him... and possibly destroy everything he's achieved so far.

I used the word "real" a lot in this review, and it's appropriate. I can't get over how real both of these books are. Griffin is a complex and confused character, and those around him are no different. Even Amanda, whom he idealized from afar, has her own set of problems and issues. None of it feels exaggerated or played up for drama or anything like that.

At the same time, it flows along perfectly as a novel. It's not just some stream-of-consciousness ramble that goes nowhere. There's a beginning, an escalation, a climax, and falling action. And it all somehow fits together as if it's a real slice of this young man's life.

Highly Recommended, especially if you've already read the first book.