Unlovely

Every summer, they come back to the island, graceful as a flock of birds, the girls from the ballet school at the top of the hill. Home from his first year of college and working on the family fishing boat, Harley is no more immune to their charms than his father was a generation ago; but he's also smarter, or so he tells himself. Dad's love affair with a ballerina led to a scandal and yet one more ugly story connected with Ocean Watch, the austere mansion that houses the school. Ocean Watch has been the scene of many odd happenings, including a young boy's unexplained death, and an attempted suicide . . . But Harley is a level-headed guy. He is, at least until he meets Cassandra-gorgeous, talented, smart, and apparently crazy about him. Although Harley is nursing a heartbreak, since his hometown sweetheart married the town thug to get back at Harley for going off to school and leaving her behind, he falls hard for Cassandra. A magical interlude begins, as bewitching as any ballet, with long nights by the sea, and a familiar world seen through new eyes. His buddies scoff; then try to scare him off, but Harley is happier than he's ever been. As he and Cassandra grow closer, she begins to confide in him, especially about a game the dancers play. AUTHOR: Celeste Conway is the author of the young adult novel 'The Melting Season' and the middle-grade novel 'The Goodbye Time', both published by Random House. 'The Melting Season' was listed on the New York Public Library's Best Books for the Teen Age. Her most recent work is the young adult novel 'When You Open Your Eyes', published with Simon Pulse. Celeste holds a master of fine arts degree from Columbia University and teaches English and creative writing at Borough of Manhattan Community College.