Return the Heart by T.K. Richardson

Here's a brief summary from T.K. Richardson's site:  What if your gift was a curse?

To a casual passerby, Lilly Paige is anything but special. As a seventeen year old, she is faced with all the complications of a teenager, but deep down there is much more. Lilly has a gift, though sometimes it seems to be a curse.

Lilly can peer into the hearts of others - their deepest, darkest secrets are there for Lilly to see - but to what end? Raised by aloof parents, Lilly has been independent her whole life, but soon she will need to rely on her friends to evade an evil that has sold her gift to the highest bidder on the black market. Lilly and her four closest friends are immersed in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, that will not only reveal more about Lilly's gift, but also her link to an old Russian prophecy.

I loved this book!  And I'm not biased because T.K. is my friend.  The growing love story between Lilly and Seth was wonderful.  I liked the suspense surrounding the Russian prophecy that they were a part of.  It kept the pages turning quickly for me.  I reveled in them taking down some of the bad guys.

Lilly was realistic for a 17-year-old girl.  She had self-doubt as so many teenage girls do, as well as a refreshing innocence about her.  Seth was a well mannered, well intentioned, highly intelligent young man.  Claire and the twins, Kyle and Andrew round out the group.

I did feel Lilly's lack of parental involvement or concern was a little troubling, but I liked her Aunt and Uncle.  The lack of parents is nothing new in YA lit and I felt this was handled well by T.K.  I just personally find it disturbing and I felt for poor Lilly. Sheesh, I almost forgot, the cover rocks too!  I did throughly enjoy this book and would recommend for ages 13 and up.  Four big smacks!!