Much much better than the first one - however the main character being 17 does not make sense. 
None of the characters talk or act like teenagers (except when theyre fighting over each other or pining for the boy when theyre apart). I can understand the reason for the age choice, since you can't really protect an adult from life choices, but they are written more like late 20 year Olds.
I can't believe no one put two & two together before now, given their mom's name. 
And Nikki is still the worst.
There is much less secondhand embarrassment in this one, but still not much romance. There's lots of pining & staring & occasionally kissing but that's the extent of it. 
Ended on a cliffhanger again - and an even bigger one than last book.