Desperate to regain her life minus her sister and best friend, Lucy is sent away to attend a prestigious arts school where she is faced with bitter obstacles of being the “new kid” and dealing with the tragic death of her sister. In their attempt to cope with the death of their oldest daughter, Lucy’s parents appear to have forgotten their parental responsibilities to their surviving child. On her own, Lucy feels worthless. One night she is haunted by the strands of a lone musician, distantly besieging Lucy to discover the maker, regardless of where her search leads. In the dark recesses of the old school, Lucy searches until she discovers that the ghostly music is not the product of a legendary spirit, but the gift of a despondent custodian. Chris reawakens Lucy’s ambitions and desire to be what her sister would want her to be. But can Lucy succeed in the controlling relationship that her handsome savior provides? Can Chris let go long enough for Lucy to rule her own destiny?

"A Part to Play" by Jennifer L. Fry illuminates the dangerous control that young love adapts when two people are in need of the support and acceptance necessary to grow into themselves. I believe that this story reaches into the inner conflict that teens experience in the battle to love and be loved. Young love is tumultuous enough without the pressure of feeling responsible for the actions of the other party. I like that Lucy learns to make proper decisions and realizes the consequences of her actions.

Cold, empty, and wrought with despair is Lucy Carter’s life. It has changed incredibly. Before the tragic accident that took her older sister Kate’s life, Lucy’s family was a happy-go-lucky loving family. After the accident, Lucy’s world and that of her parents slowly began to unravel like the yarn on a crocheted blanket. The once close-knit family became broken and shattered to pieces like the broken glass of the automobile that changed all of their lives. Still grieving over the death of their eldest daughter, Lucy’s parents decide to split up, and send Lucy to a boarding school, The Edmond School for Performing Arts. At first Lucy is resentful, depressed and sullen about the circumstances that have changed her life. The once talented, very promising sophomore drama major now has to find a way to start anew. Lucy attempts to find a way to go on without her sister, Kate, and without the physical and emotional support of her parents. Feeling all alone, out of place, and in danger of being sent back to the home that she no longer had, Lucy struggles to again find the passion of the theater and ignite the fire that once burned inside of her. With rumors abounding about the school being haunted, Lucy goes to great lengths to uncover the secret that lies deep within. Lucy’s vigor and enthusiasm for the theater and for life itself returns, and she is led down a new path, a path that is filled with adventure, love and a renewed sense of wakening.

Author Jennifer L. Fry’s first novel "A Part to Play" has captured the true essence of life at a highly competitive performing arts high school. Having graduated from a performing arts school myself, I felt the pain and anguish that her character Lucy must have felt. I was also able to relate to most of the characters in her story. I really liked how the character of Lucy evolved over time. In "A Part to Play" I was inspired by Lucy’s character, and really liked how Lucy found her way through her own tunnel of darkness, with the help of “music therapy“. Jennifer wrote with compassion and with a deep understanding of all of her characters, especially the character of Lucy. I feel that she nailed it on the head when she wrote how Lucy desperately wanted to fit in and find her way once more. She just wanted to be the actress that she once was before the terrible accident that changed her family’s life. The author also made the story come to life as she fervently narrates how Lucy’s life was broken and fragmented into pieces, how she came back to life as she made new friends, and how she found love. Also the anticipation leading up to Lucy’s discovery of the identity of her mysterious musician makes it an exciting book to read.

Lucy Carter’s family fell apart when her sister Kate died in a car accident. At fifteen Lucy still needed her parents' love and comfort but her mother walked around like a zombie and her father didn’t seem to know what to do. After making a large donation to the Edmond School, Lucy was enrolled even though it was late in the semester. Lucy felt as if she had been deserted by her parents. At first she seemed to float through classes in a fog. But the school had high expectations of its students and Lucy wasn’t living up to them. She worked hard to catch up with her class. Her drama teacher recognized her potential as an actress. Nicole, the school bully, was jealous of all the attention the drama teacher was giving Lucy. Nicole was determined to make life miserable for Lucy. At night Lucy heard wonderful music drifting through the air. She began searching for the source. She discovered a talented young man playing a piano and composing music. At first they drew strength, courage and power from each other but eventually things turned sour.

"A Part to Play" is a coming of age tale. Lucy is the lead character. I was quickly drawn into her story. I could feel her pain from missing her sister and feeling neglected and abandoned by her parents. Nicole was a bully and easy to dislike until I considered why she was a bully. Chris was seventeen year old and a music genius. Jennifer Fry captures the emotions of a teenager and the emotions of losing someone you love. "A Part To Play" is an entertaining story that will warm the heart.