All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin (Birthright, Book 1)

In 2083, chocolate and caffeine are illegal. Paper is hard to find, and water is rationed. New clothes are a thing of the past. Anya Balanchine is the oldest daughter of the notorious chocolate crime boss, or perhaps more accurately, his orphaned daughter. Both her mother and father were killed for their mob connections, and her older brother received permanent brain damage in the crash that killed their mother. While their legal guardian is their Nana, she is too old and sick to do much of anything, making her the defacto guardian to her brother and younger sister, Nattie. Not exactly the typical 16-year old's life.

Her entire life has been devoted to her family obligations, so when she meets Winn Delacroix - son of the new assistant DA - she knows she needs to stay far away. He has other ideas, and slowly starts to win her over in spite of herself.

Suddenly her life is turned upside down when her creep of an ex comes down with a case of chocolate poisoning...from her family's illegal chocolate. She's brought in for questioning, and thrown into Liberty Children's Facility. Anya learns that a name isn't really just another word when she gets hosed down, scrubbed raw, and thrown in solitary confinement for a week. Soon cases of chocolate poisoning are popping up all over the city, and it's clear that the supply has been tainted.

What does this mean for Anya, and for the family business? It doesn't mean good things for her relationship with Winn, that's for sure. His father makes that very clear after meeting with her. As much as she wants to do what is best for her family, she can't deny that her feelings for Winn are very real. There is something fishy going on with the business, and it's important to protect her family from whatever dangers are out there. Anya has to choose.

This is well written, and takes a very slice of life look at the future, organized crime, and how it affects the little people. Anya's story is touching and relatable, without being too mushy or self-absorbed. Recommended for fans of quirky love stories with touches of dystopia.

*Library Link*

If you liked this, check out:
Because It Is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin (Birthright, Book 2)
Chime by Franny Billingsley
White Cat by Holly Black (Curse Workers, Book 1)

Zevin, Gabrielle. (2011). All These Things I've Done. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.