Title: The Bermudez Triangle
Author: Maureen Johnson
ISBN: 9781595141552
Pages: 370
Release date: October 6, 2005
Publisher: Razorbill
Genre: Young adult fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Nina Bermudez has been best friends with Mel and Avery since time immemorial. (I’m guessing preschool.) Together, they make up the incredibly corny and age-inappropriate “Bermudez Triangle.”

For the first time in their friendship, Nina is going away for the summer–to a leadership college prep course at Stanford prior to senior year. (Yeah, she’s THAT girl.)

Whatever will happen to the Triangle in her absence?

Never mind that for now. At Stanford, she meets a dreamboat named Steve.

He’s an environmentalist!

And he rides his bike everywhere.

True love!

Meanwhile, back home, Mel and Avery are exploring their… “friendship.”

Hot.

After their summer program ends, Nina and Steve decide to continue their relationship long-distance, because that always works out well. They talk on the phone a lot.

… at least at first.

But things get complicated before too long. Nina quickly figures out Avery and Mel’s secret.

At first, she’s all

But then she’s like

And that’s cool.

But pretty soon, everyone at school knows.

Mel is not deterred; for the first time in her life, she finally understands what she wants. Avery, on the other hand, struggles with her attraction to Mel and questions her sexuality.

Things aren’t going so well with Nina and Steve the Environmentalist, either.

Sometimes, it seems like relationships just aren’t worth it. Friends are so much better!

Takeaway

The Bermudez Triangle is a fairly lighthearted and fun exploration of romance and sexuality in high school. Avery’s attempt to understand her sexuality will resonate with anyone not firmly on an end of the gay-straight spectrum, yet Johnson also brings levity to the musings:

“You like guys too?” Nina asked.

Avery felt her skin flushing. Something about that question made her feel like… a glutton. Like she wanted everyone. Guys, girls, dogs, cats, populations of whole cities.

This is the first book by Maureen Johnson that I’ve read, and I’m definitely going to check out more titles from her. She has a great sense of humor, and her characters are delightfully flawed. It was a quick, enjoyable read.

Don’t just take my word for it! Buy The Bermudez Triangle from an independent bookstore or Amazon (Kindle version is available). Each sale from these links helps support Melody & Words.