Teen-Age Romances #17

A shy sophomore who's terrified of boys invents an elaborate fantasy of dates with out-of-town fellows to keep up with her classmates—but when a real boy from school, Don, actually takes an interest in her, her web of lies threatens to unravel everything. As her fabrications spiral out of control and Don grows suspicious, Joan must find a way to salvage both her reputation and her first genuine chance at romance.

A young nurse named Joan Bradford has made a calculated decision: she'll use her charm and beauty to win over a wealthy patient rather than build a genuine life—and it's working perfectly, at least on the surface. When a charming interne named Bob Pierce offers her an escape from hospital drudgery through romance, Joan sees him only as a means to learn more about the wealthy Henry Van Sloan and his luxurious lifestyle. As Van Sloan's affection—and gifts—begin to flow, Joan revels in her success, but the cost of her cold-hearted scheme may prove higher than she bargained for.

In 1951, a young woman named Martha breaks her community's unwritten law by secretly dating Lucky Kirkwood, a charming musician passing through town—but when her romance becomes public knowledge, she faces swift ostracism from her peers. As Martha struggles with exile from her social circle and travels to a neighboring town to see Lucky again, she discovers a harsh truth about the man she's risked everything for.

A young woman's jealousy at the junior prom sets off a chain of choices that teaches her a hard lesson about love and loyalty. As she wrestles with her feelings for two different boys, she discovers that meddling in romance—and taking her steady for granted—comes with a painful price. Through bitter experience, she learns what it truly means to grow up.

In "I Outgrew My First Love," Glenda finds herself at a crossroads in her long-standing relationship with Bill, her high school sweetheart. As a new rider from Hampton enters the scene, Glenda begins to test the boundaries of her loyalty, weaving a careful dance of flirtation and attachment that leads her down a new path.