Thanks for stopping by to explain! Even though I only went to TSC for a semester (transferred to Rowan/Glassboro State College eventually), I have always hated the name change. “The College of New Jersey.” Way to make it sound like somewhere NO ONE would ever want to go.

So I highly approve now that I understand!

Melissa

Thanks so much for the fantastic review! I am so thrilled that you enjoyed my book, and I really appreciate you taking the time to write such thoughtful, insightful comments.

I also wanted to write and address your quibble…you are definitely an astute former South Jersey girl!

It’s true…I did play a lot with the “realism” of the South Jersey in the book…and not just in the ones you point out! Cherry Grove, for instance, is a sort of idealized suburban town that’s something between Cherry Hill and Collingswood, but a bit further away, distance wise, from Philly. I also changed the name of my college (University of the Arts) to a fake name, as well as the real gallery Space 1026, to Space Invaded. I felt I had to change a few things to get them exactly what I wanted them to be in the book.

And as for Trenton State vs. TCNJ…I deliberately used the old name because I never, ever liked their new one! TS was just SO much better, in my humble opinion. And since no other schools/institutions in the book were real either, I felt it was an okay choice to make. I also went old-school there as a shout-out to my very best friend, who Meg is based on in part, and who went there. It’s also a nice homage to all my non-teen New Jersey readers! I’m so glad you picked up on it!

Thanks again for this great review. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!

Best always,
Siobhan