Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)

April's father announces a move to Cleveland, but she convinces him to let her stay behind in Westport to finish her junior year. She moves in with her best friend Vi, though her father doesn't know Vi's mother is away on tour. With newfound freedom and an empty house, April and Vi navigate typical teenage concerns like relationships and school while also dealing with adult responsibilities. Their adventures include impulsive decisions about money, pets, and parties. The girls learn that independence comes with consequences as they try to maintain their secret living situation and handle mounting complications. Their friendship faces tests while they attempt to balance their desires for fun with the realities of taking care of themselves. The novel explores themes of growing up, trust, and the sometimes blurry line between freedom and responsibility. Through April's experiences, it raises questions about what it means to be ready for independence and how teenagers transition into adulthood.

Readers describe this YA contemporary novel as a light, fun read that deals with serious teenage issues through humor. The book maintains a 3.82/5 rating on Goodreads from 15,000+ ratings. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of teenage decision-making - Balance of comedy with meaningful consequences - Strong female friendships - Fast-paced, engaging writing style - Authentic dialogue between characters Common criticisms: - Parents' behavior feels unrealistic - Main character makes frustratingly poor choices - Too much focus on sex/partying for younger YA readers - Plot becomes increasingly improbable "The perfect beach read that still has substance," noted one Amazon reviewer. Others called it "irresponsible" for glamorizing risky teenage behavior. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.82/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (115 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.1/5 (45 ratings) Most recommend it for older teens due to mature content.

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson A teenage girl follows a series of letters from her late aunt, leading her on an unsupervised European adventure filled with independence, secrets, and self-discovery.

The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman Two sisters navigate changing relationships and family dynamics when they move from Manhattan to upstate New York without parental supervision.

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan A gifted fifteen-year-old creates chaos while living with her older sister in a college apartment and attempting to decode the language of love.

The Summer of Broken Rules by K.L. Walther During a summer at Martha's Vineyard, a girl breaks free from her structured life through a game of Assassin and unexpected romance.

Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson A cross-country road trip transforms into an unplanned adventure when two teens deviate from the set route and parental expectations.

🌟 Though the book features teenage characters living alone, author Sarah Mlynowski actually lived with her parents until she went to college - the story came purely from her imagination of what unsupervised teen life might be like. 📚 The novel was partly inspired by Mlynowski's experience rescuing a cat while in college, similar to how the main character April adopts a cat against house rules. 🏠 The book's premise of teens living without parents was controversial when released in 2011, leading to discussions about appropriate content in YA literature. 💫 Sarah Mlynowski wrote the first draft of this book in just six weeks, much faster than her usual writing pace. 🌸 The story takes place over exactly 138 days - from when April's father announces the move to Cleveland until the end of the school year.