The Graduates

On Our Own #1

by Janet Quin-Harkin

Best friends Jill and Toni are separated when Jill enters the exclusive Rosemont College, and Jill must cope with her studies, her popular but spoiled roommate, Sheridan, and a handsome senior, Kyle.

Genres: Young Adult

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1986

About the author

Janet Quin-Harkin is a pseudonym of Rhys Bowen

Rhys turned to writing children’s books under her married name, Janet Quin-Harkin. Her first picture book was an immediate success and won several awards. More picture books followed, then her agent asked her to write a book for young adults. This was a turning point in Rhys’s career. Her first young adult novel was an instant hit. By her third she was selling half a million copies. Many more popular YA novels followed until Rhys decided she had said all she wanted to say about teenage love and angst, and she turned her real love—mysteries.

Reviews

[Sarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jill and Toni have been friends forever, but things are changing. Jill is going away to college and Toni is staying home. Jill has to decide whether to stay with her high school sweetheart, Craig, or whether to venture into new territory with new men. She likes the senior Kyle, but is he wanting to go too fast for her? And will she be able to stay friends with Toni even though they are so far away?

I loved this series and at the time it really resonated for me, because I knew I would be going on to college and my best friend would not. I especially related because I was like Jill and my friend was like Toni. Good books.

Janet Quin Harkin also writes murder mysteries under the name Rhys Bowen.