Jesse Alderman was a cold-hearted opportunist. Numb to feeling anything but greed following the drug and alcohol induced death of his mother, Jesse accepted money for his ability to deliver the goods. Want drugs, alcohol, schoolwork, hookups? Done. His days of caring about anyone other than himself were over - until he met Bridget Smalley. He didn't want to love her, but he couldn't help himself; everyone did. One problem, she was a business acquisition - for someone else, Ken Foster. A deal had been made and he had to deliver to protect his reputation. Jesse injects himself into Bridget's life by befriending her physically impaired brother, Pete, whom he also grows to care for. Despite his feelings, Jesse extols Kens virtues to Bridget, and the two become an item. Suspicious of Jesse's motives when he continues to hang around the Smalleys, Ken assaults Jesse who defends himself with a lie that is overheard and ruins his friendship with Pete who reveals the truth to Bridget; all bets were off. Genuinely sorry for his wrong doings, Jesse makes it right by championing a cause near and dear to Bridget's heart which later leads her back to him.
A story that illuminates the concept of character evolution, Sway is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and generally full of heart. Students who can identify with and appreciate this text might also enjoy The Bridge from Me to You by Lisa Schroeder and The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris which both boast similar storylines.
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