New releases!

 

Asking for a Friend
By Kara H. L. Chen
Publisher: Quill Tree Books (July 23, 2024)
Language: English
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 0063237881
ISBN-13: 978-0063237889
Reading age: 14 - 17 years
Grade level: 9 - 12

 Publisher’s Blurb:

This charming YA rom-com follows a strong-willed, ambitious teen as she teams up with her childhood frenemy to start a dating-advice column, perfect for fans of Emma Lord and Gloria Chao.

 Juliana Zhao is absolutely certain of a few things:

She is the world’s foremost expert on love.

She is going to win the nationally renowned Asian Americans in Business Competition.

When Juliana is unceremoniously dropped by her partner and she’s forced to pair with her nonconformist and annoying frenemy, Garrett Tsai, everything seems less clear. Their joint dating advice column must be good enough to win and secure bragging rights within her small Taiwanese American community, where her family’s reputation has been in the pits since her older sister was disowned a few years prior.

Juliana always thought prestige mattered above all else. But as she argues with Garrett over how to best solve everyone else’s love problems and faces failure for the first time, she starts to see fractures in this privileged, sheltered worldview.

With the competition heating up, Juliana must reckon with the sacrifices she’s made to be a perfect daughter—and whether winning is something she even wants anymore.

My Thoughts:

I loved this book, but it stressed me out! Also, I don’t think the blurb really does it justice.

Juliana feels all the pressure to live up to the expectations of not just her Taiwanese-American family, but the whole Taiwanese expat community. Which means winning the business competition that her beloved father founded basically on his deathbed.

The pressure is even worse, since her big sister—gasp!!!—dropped out of med school because she was pregnant and unmarried. Juliana’s mother basically pretends the sister doesn’t exist.

As Juliana and Garrett work together on the competition and at the Taiwanese Community Center, Juliana learns that maybe it isn’t all about living up to expectations. She learns that her father maybe wasn’t so perfect, and that she’s allowed to want things for herself. It’s a difficult lesson for her to learn, and it’s full of big feelings that she isn’t always ready to feel.

Seeing the enormous pressures that Juliana’s mother and community placed on her was super stressful for me. I just wanted to give her a hug. Watching her grow and learn that there’s more than one way to do things, and more than one way to be, was a satisfying journey. The conflicts in the story pushed the plot along; her actions were realistic based on her circumstances. Of course, as an adult reading the book, I was ready to yell a few times, but I’m not exactly the target market. I feel like Juliana doesn’t reach a true resolution with her mother, but it’s a lot to expect.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Parental death. Unwed pregnancy. Same-gender couples. Lying to parent. Social pressure. Some swearing. Kissing.

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like stories about over-achievers and having to deal with parental pressure. Those who like coming of age stories, or stories with a competitive element.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

Near Misses & Cowboy Kisses
By Katrina Emmel
Publisher: Delacorte Romance (July 23, 2024)
Language: English
Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0593708148
ISBN-13: 978-0593708149
Reading age: 12 - 17 years
Lexile measure: 870L
Grade level: 7 - 9

 Publisher’s Blurb:

A swoon-worthy YA rivals-to-lovers romance between a Nebraskan cowboy and California girl, thrust together on the Oregon Trail.

Anything’s possible under a prairie sky…

Riley Thomas is feeling stuck—she’s moved from California to Nebraska, she’s on a weeklong Oregon Trail family bonding excursion, and her luggage is lost. There’s no one her age on the trip except a tall, dark and irksome cowboy who wrongly assumes she has zero ability to handle the great outdoors. She can’t wait for this misery to end—even though going “home” isn’t even possible anymore.

Lone wolf Colton Walker loves the simpler life of the plains and his family’s tourism business that helps protect them. He’s a stand-up guy—not a love ‘em and leave ‘em type like his rival, Jake. And he knows better than to take his chances with a prairie princess like Riley.

But Riley’s got more sense than Colton thinks--and he’s not nearly as inflexible as he seems. And under a wide prairie sky of puffy clouds and bright stars, everything comes into focus--including a cowboy’s heart.

Katrina Emmel’s Near Misses and Cowboy Kisses will take you on a sweeping journey across the American prairie . . . once you love a boy in a Stetson, you’ll never be the same.

 My Thoughts:

Imagine having to move to a different state right after your junior year of high school! (Actually, one of my speech and debate students this past year did exactly that.) That’s exactly what happens to Riley, and even though she understands her parents’ reasons, she is NOT happy about it.

 Even worse: during the week between arriving in their new state and having their furniture catch up with them, they’re going on a pioneer wagon train reenactment! Riley is even less happy.

 And when her suitcase doesn’t catch up with her…yeah.

 Told both from Riley’s and Colton’s POV, this story is about first impressions. Neither of them got a very good first impression of the other. Colton thinks Riley is a spoiled city girl, and she think he’s a judgmental jerk.

 As their week on the prairie progresses, they discover that they’re both wrong. I really love the scene where they go fishing for dinner—probably my favorite in the whole book.

 As is the standard, there are misunderstandings and mistakes. Of course, if one important fact had been communicated far earlier, we’d have missed the third-act breakup and subsequent resolution.

 Background and secondary characters were all well-done. Dialogue rings true. And the descriptions of the beauty of the prairie were lovely.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Family drama (minor). Misunderstandings. A big flirt. Kissing. Some dangerous situations.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like American history (particularly the Western pioneers), nature, and, of course, stories about high school love.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 

 

Bodega Cats: Picture Purrfect
By Hilda Eunice Burgos
Illustrated by Siara Faison
 
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (July 23, 2024)
Language: English
Hardcover: 144 pages
ISBN-10: 1250903742
ISBN-13: 978-1250903747
Reading age: 7 - 10 years

Grade level: 3 - 4

 Publisher’s Blurb:

In the Heights meets Front Desk in this heartwarming and funny illustrated story about the friendship between a bodega owner's kid and his newly-adopted furry friend, with a focus on family and community.

Miguel Rosado wants nothing more than to see and draw the world… or, at least anywhere beyond the four walls of his family’s bodega in Washington Heights. Too bad his mami and papi have him working long hours after school, hoping he’ll appreciate the sacrifices they’ve made to keep the store afloat. For street-savvy and newly-adopted cat Lolo, that sounds just perfect if it means he’s far, far away from the hungry, lonely nights he once spent in the freezing cold outdoors.

But when Miguel ditches his responsibilities and lies to his parents about joining art club, his dream of juggling it all comes crashing down. Lolo will have to decide if he's willing to be there for his new friend Miguel through anything―even venturing back into the frightful outdoors and busy New York City sidewalks. Can they trust each other enough to take on this adventure together?

 My Thoughts:

I have been a fan of the Bodega Cats Instagram account for years. Bodega cats serve an important function for the little neighborhood bodegas in big cities by keeping the stores free of vermin. So when I saw “bodega cats” in the title, well, I had to request it!

 This sweet middle-grade story is about Miguel, who really wants to be an artist, and his Dominican immigrant parents who want him to have a better, more stable life. As with so many of the MG and YA stories I’ve read lately, this one also focuses on a child who is trying balance parental expectations with what they truly want for themselves.

 The illustrations frequently take the form of Miguel’s comics about his life. They are fun and energetic and definitely add to the storytelling. The story is told from both Miguel's and Lolo's points of view.

 The story was a very quick read for me. I think both the material and the actual writing would be easily accessible for grades 4 and up. For me, an adult reading a story meant for children, I was really struck by the parent angle on this. I understand the desire to give your kids a good life, but it has long been my philosophy that our children aren’t our possessions, and we must listen to what it is they want out of life. Advise, don’t demand! So many of these fictional parents need to learn that lesson.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

An animal is in danger. Miguel lies to his parents about an after-school club. An elderly person starts a fire.

 Who Might Like This Book:

People who like animal stories.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Modern Jane Austen

 

Accomplished
By Amanda Quain
Publisher: Wednesday Books (July 26, 2022)
Language: English
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1250817811
ISBN-13: 978-1250817815
Reading age: 13 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 – 9

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Georgiana Darcy gets the Pride & Prejudice retelling she deserves in Amanda Quain's Accomplished, a sparkling contemporary YA featuring a healthy dose of marching band romance, endless banter, and Charles Bingley as a ripped frat boy.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Georgiana Darcy should have been expelled after The Incident with Wickham Foster last year – at least if you ask any of her Pemberley Academy classmates. She may have escaped expulsion because of her family name, but she didn’t escape the disappointment of her big brother Fitz, the scorn of the entire school, or, it turns out, Wickham’s influence.

But she’s back for her junior year, and she needs to prove to everyone – Fitz, Wickham, her former friends, and maybe even herself – that she’s more than just an embarrassment to the family name. How hard can it be to become the Perfect Darcy? All she has to do is:

- Rebuild her reputation with the marching band (even if it kills her)
- Forget about Wickham and his lies (no matter how tempting they still are), and
- Distract Fitz Darcy ― helicopter-sibling extraordinaire ― by getting him to fall in love with his classmate, Lizzie Bennet (this one might be difficult…)

Sure, it's a complicated plan, but so is being a Darcy. With the help of her fellow bandmate, Avery, matchmaking ideas lifted straight from her favorite fanfics, and a whole lot of pancakes, Georgie is going to see every one of her plans through. But when the weight of being the Perfect Darcy comes crashing down, Georgie will have to find her own way before she loses everything permanently―including the one guy who sees her for who she really is.

 My Thoughts:

I love a good Austen retelling, and when it’s my very favorite Austen, even better.

This one is a modernized Pride and Prejudice, though Elizabeth and Darcy are not primary characters. Their love story is a sideline to Georgiana Darcy’s story. If you know P&P, you know that Georgiana had a past with Wickham, and that holds true here as well—he was dealing drugs out of her dorm room at the elite Pemberly private school. Wickham was expelled, and Georgie is now a social pariah, since he was super popular.

This is the story of what comes for Georgie in the following school year. Her brother is her legal guardian, since their father’s death and their mother’s abdication of parental responsibility. And even though Darcy is a stiff overachiever, Georgie loves him and wants him to be proud of her, so she decides to turn herself into the perfect student.

Fortunately, there’s one person left at school who doesn’t treat her any differently, fellow marching band trombone player Avery.

I really enjoyed Georgie’s evolution here. Her intentions are good, but her execution is often lacking. She has a complete blind spot as to just how much wealth and privilege she has, and it causes her to really miss on the execution of her ideas, more than once. It’s good to see her eventually make some friends and learn to appreciate what she, herself, can bring to the table, without her money and privilege.

This does follow the basic plot outline of the original, with those events happening mostly on the periphery. You know things will end for Darcy and Elizabeth, Jane and Bingley (delightfully portrayed as a super buff golden retriever of a frat boy). But it’s seeing how things end for Georgie that is the focus, and it’s a satisfying conclusion.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Swearing, including the F-word. Underage drinking and reference to drugs. Kissing. References to sex. Cheating on assignments. Ostracism. Parental death and abandonment. Dysfunctional families. Same-gender couples.

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who, like me, enjoy a good Austen retelling. Anyone who likes to see characters grow and develop and find their voice.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

 

Ghosted
By Amanda Quain
Publisher: Wednesday Books (July 25, 2023)
Language: English
Hardcover: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 1250865077
ISBN-13: 978-1250865076
Reading age: 13 - 18 years
Grade level: 7 – 9

 Publisher’s Blurb:

Never Have I Ever meets The X-Files in Amanda Quain's Ghosted, a fresh and funny update on the Jane Austen classic, Northanger Abbey.

Hattie Tilney isn’t a believer. Yes, she’s a senior at America’s most (allegedly) haunted high school, Northanger Abbey. But ever since her paranormal-loving dad passed away, she’s hung up her Ghostbusters suit, put away the EMF detectors, and moved on. She has enough to worry about in the land of the living―like taking care of her younger brother, Liam, while their older sister spirals out and their mother, Northanger’s formidable headmistress, buries herself in work. If Hattie just tries hard enough and keeps that overachiever mask on tight through graduation, maybe her mom will finally notice her.

But the mask starts slipping when Hattie’s assigned to be an ambassador to Kit Morland, who’s just transferred to Northanger on―what else―a ghost-hunting scholarship. The two are paired up for an investigative project on the school’s paranormal activity, and Hattie quickly strikes a deal: Kit will present whatever ghostly evidence he can find to prove that the campus is haunted, and Hattie will prove it’s not. But as they explore the abandoned tunnels and foggy graveyards of Northanger, Hattie starts to realize that Kit might be the kind of person who makes her want to believe in something―and someone―for the first time.

With her signature wit and slow-burn romance, Amanda Quain turns another Austen classic on its head in this sparkling retelling that proves sometimes the ghosts are just a metaphor after all.

My Thoughts:

While I have read Northanger Abbey¸ I’ve only read it once and don’t remember it super well.

Once again, Quain modernizes the story and sets it in a New England private school. This time, it’s known as the most haunted school in America. But Hattie hates the whole ghost-hunting thing with a passion (and there’s a reason for that, but I won’t tell you, since it would spoil some things).

You can just imagine her dismay when Dr. Tilney—yes, Hattie calls her headmistress mother that when they’re at school—asks her to mentor Kit, the new student who’s at Northanger on a scholarship from a paranormal investigative group.

Hattie has spent her whole high school career curating her image, choosing friends that would help her fit in, being a perfect credit to her mother’s reputation. But when she doesn’t get into her university of choice, things start to crumble. When she and Kit are assigned as partners on a project about the haunting of Northanger for their journalism class, they are forced to spend time together. Kit’s gentle, sympathetic demeanor and embrace of the unusual start to help Hattie to find parts of her personality that she had hidden away.

Like her previous book, Quain gives us a broken family, missing a deceased father and with a mother who seems cold and aloof, an older sister who is constantly in trouble, and a younger brother who rarely comes out of his room. Although the story is Hattie’s, watching all of her family begin to heal from their loss is really lovely. Although we never see a ghost of the paranormal variety, this family comes to terms with its own variety of ghosts.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Swearing, including the F-word. Underage drinking. Kissing. References to sex. Ostracism. Parental death and distance. Dysfunctional families. Same-gender couples.

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who, like me, enjoy a good Austen retelling. Anyone who likes to see characters grow and develop and find their voice.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

 

Dashed
By Amanda Quain
Publisher: Wednesday Books (July 16, 2024)
Language: English
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1250907535
ISBN-13: 978-1250907530
Reading age: 13 - 18 years
Grade level: 10 - 12

Publisher’s Blurb:

In this contemporary update of Sense and Sensibility, Margaret Dashwood is setting sail on an adventurous summer cruise―unless love sinks her first.

Margaret Dashwood lives her life according to plan, and it involves absolutely zero heartbreak, thank you very much. Five years ago, love tore her family apart, and since then, she’s kept her own heart as safe as possible. It hasn’t been easy, especially since her sister Marianne―the world’s biggest romantic―has conveniently forgotten that love burned her so badly she literally almost died. So when their oldest sister Elinor invites Margaret along for a Marianne-free summer cruise, she can’t wait to soak up every scheduled moment with sensible Elinor before heading off to college.

But just before they set sail, a newly-single Marianne announces that she’s crashing their vacation. Suddenly, Margaret’s itineraries are thrown overboard, and the ship’s cabin feels even tinier with her sister wailing about her breakup from the bottom bunk. The only solution? Find Marianne a dose of love to tide her over until they reach land.

With help from Elinor, her husband Edward, and Gabe―a distractingly handsome new friend on the crew―Margaret sets out to create a series of elaborate fake dates that will give Marianne the spontaneously curated summer romance of a lifetime. But between a chaotic sister, the growing storm of feelings between Margaret and Gabe, and an actual storm on the horizon, this summer is destined to go off course. Margaret will have to decide what’s more important―following the plan, or following her heart.

My Thoughts:

This time, Quain treats us to a retelling of Sense and Sensibility, from youngest sister Margaret’s point of view—and sets it on a cruise ship!

Once again, Quain’s protagonist is trying to help her family to recover from trauma (again, the loss of a father) by turning herself into the perfect daughter and student, never causing trouble or drama. When her sister Marianne suddenly breaks up with boyfriend Brandon, Margeret is bummed that Marianne has invited herself on a trip that was supposed to give Margaret time with eldest sister Elinor. To fix the problem and get chaotic Marianne out of the way, Margaret decides to set Marianne up with a new romance, and enlists Gabe’s help to do so.

As Margaret and Gabe spend more time together in a fake-romance scenario so Marianne won’t worry about Margaret, they grow closer. Of course, things don’t always go smoothly, usually because of Margaret being so uptight and trying too hard to make things go as she thinks they should.

It takes a hurricane and a near-tragedy for Margaret to learn that many the things she thought about the nature of love and romance were untrue, and how to find love for herself.

As with Quain’s other books, the characters are all well-drawn, with enough similarities to Austen’s examples for us to recognize them, without resorting to sheer mimicry. She gives us a relatively minor character and brings her to life in the modern world, with modern problems.

But here’s the thing: I really hope Quain continues with her Austen retellings. But after three books, the basic premise of a young woman discovering what she really wants in the midst of a broken family is beginning to feel kind of…done. I hope she can find some new stories to tell us.

Possible Objectionable Material:

Swearing, including the F-word. Underage drinking. Kissing. References to sex. Parental death. Dysfunctional families. Same-gender couples.

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who, like me, enjoy a good Austen retelling. Anyone who likes to see characters grow and develop and find their voice.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

Two Misses and a Hit

 

He’s Gone
By Rebecca Collomosse
Publisher: Joffe Books (July 5, 2024)
Paperback: 278 pages
ISBN-10: 1835267009
ISBN-13: 978-1835267004
 

Publisher’s Blurb:

On the day we choose our wedding rings, my fiancé vanishes into thin air.

My fiancé brought me tea and scrambled eggs in bed that morning, and we snuggled together, talking about buying our rings, and about our perfect wedding next year.

Then we headed into town. He held my hand and gazed at the ring I liked best, a smile spreading slowly over his face. Then a glass of bubbly to celebrate. I felt flushed, excited and ready for the rest of my life with the man I loved.

We race to get on the train home. It screams to a halt and I run towards its open doors. Made it.

I think he’s right behind me — but when I turn around, he’s gone.

AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF BREATHTAKING SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION WITH A SHOCKING FINAL TWIST.

 My Thoughts:

This book was just meh for me. It bills itself as a psychological thriller, but I didn’t feel that much thrill. And that “shocking final twist”? Again…meh. Not that shocking. And frankly, pretty frustrating, too. There is no resolution.

 The premise was interesting: Eve’s fiancé, who was right behind her as they got on the Tube from wedding ring shopping, vanishes. We see Eve’s progression as she discovers secrets he’d been keeping and works through the various stages of grief. Each time she starts to accept that he’s really gone, something happens—his watch goes missing, a picture of them disappears—and she begins to hope again.

 There is a second narrative voice, that of whoever is messing with Eve, and it is a threatening one. Breadcrumbs are dropped for us to figure out who it is, but it doesn’t seem to answer the question: Where did he go?

 Eve has to deal with a lot of guilt as she picks up the pieces and moves on with her life. She’s not always a very good friend. She has problems at her job. She feels guilty when she buys a house with the money they had saved together.

 The way the narrative is set—as if she is actually talking to John, telling him all that is happening. It’s an interesting device, always talking to “you”, but I’m not sure I liked it.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Drinking, sex (not described in detail), mind-games, swearing (including the F-word), recovery from trauma.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like trying to solve a mystery, especially a missing-person story.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

 

 Catch the Sun
By Jennifer Hartman
Publisher: Bloom Books (July 16, 2024)
Paperback: 448 pages
ISBN-10: 1464218684
ISBN-13: 978-1464218682
Reading age: 16 - 18 years
Grade level: 10 - 12

 Publisher’s Blurb:

A brand new YA standalone survivor romance from Jennifer Hartmann, the fan-favorite author of Still Beating, Lotus, and June First, packed with the same light-in-the-dark hope for healing in the face of tragedy. Perfect for fans of If He Had Been With Me, A Thousand Boy Kisses, and Binding 13.

 "Kissing you feels like catching the sun…"

 At seven years old, Ella Sunbury and Max Manning were inseparable―until life scattered them in different directions, forcing Ella to abruptly leave town. A decade later, she returns for their senior year of high school, moving in across the street from her childhood best friend.

 But she's not the same girl Max once knew.

 She now lives in the shadow of her brother: a notorious felon on death row, convicted of a crime that shook the nation. Reeling from the fallout and shunned by her peers, all Ella wants is to fade into the background.

 Max has little room for distractions, juggling responsibilities for a disabled father and a distant twin brother. But Ella's return reignites something within him. He wants to be close to her again, to understand her…and to turn their friendship into more.

 But as their relationship blossoms, new tragedy strikes, and darkness threatens to tip their delicate balance. In order to find the light, they'll have to navigate the shadows.

 And to catch the sun…they must first endure the flames.

 My Thoughts:

This book brings together two teenagers who have really terrible lives. Ella’s brother was very publicly found guilty in a brutal murder, and her mother spent all her money on his defense. Max’s father is a disabled drunk, leaving Max to keep a roof over their heads and keep the family running.

 But there’s a backstory: Max and Ella had been friends once, way back in second grade. When Ella returns to town after her brother’s trial, she is mocked and bullied for having tearfully defended him when she was younger. Max seems to fit in with the cool kids in their small town, but he at least acknowledges her existence. Slowly, they start to hang out together, revealing more and more of themselves and growing closer.

 But tragedy strikes again, and, for both of their sakes, they have to go their separate ways.

 There is a satisfying resolution to the story, and we can close the book knowing what ultimately happens to the characters.

 As a teacher, I was frustrated with how much bullying the school tolerated—including from one of the teachers. What the actual heck?!?

 The only real moments of brightness come between our two main characters. The rest of the story is just dreary and depressing.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Murder. Lots of descriptive sex—I won’t be recommending this one to students! Swearing, drinking, and the usual teenage hijinks.

 Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like stories of teens overcoming adversity and finding something good in their lives.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

  

Are You My Halley Hart?
By Claire McCauley
Publisher: Joffe Books Ltd (July 9, 2024)
Paperback: 316 pages
ISBN-10: 1835265782
ISBN-13: 978-1835265789

 Publisher’s Blurb:

They had the perfect meet-cute . . . but can they meet again?

When American tourist Halley Hart accidentally drenches shy academic Henry Inglis in an Oxford coffee shop, he feels like he's been struck by lightning. But after a series of chance encounters--and a fleeting kiss--Halley disappears in a taxi, forgetting to leave Henry her phone number or any way to contact her.

 Although they spent just one day together, Henry can't get this stunning astronomy student out of his mind. He knows he has to find her again, but all he has to go on is her name and the pair of sunglasses she dropped.

There's only one thing for it. Henry must email every Halley Hart in the world until he finds his Halley.

 They say you see Halley's Comet just once in your lifetime. Will Henry get a second chance?

 My Thoughts:

After the previous two books in this review, this was a delightful palate cleanser!

 First of all, our two main characters are intelligent, well-adjusted, mature people. Yay!

 Henry’s search for Halley doesn’t actually take up a lot of the story. Once they connect via email, we get to see their emails and text messages, as well as narrative from both of their points of view. As their correspondence brings them closer together, they make plans to meet. Those plans are constantly foiled, and we are frustrated right along with them at all the near-misses.

 When they finally do get together, it’s the stuff romcom legends are made of. But, of course, the happiness can’t last forever, and their happiness is interrupted. Both are miserable without each other. Given the type of book this is, I don’t think it’s too much of a spoiler to say that we do get a happy ever after, though not without a little bit of family meddling and some refreshingly mature soul searching.

 The varied modes of storytelling keep the story fresh and progressing nicely. The constant interruptions of plans to meet kept me engaged in the story. All in all, a fun read.

 Possible Objectionable Material:

Drinking. Reference to sex. Sex, though not descriptive. Swearing (I don’t remember any F-words).

 Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like rom-coms, especially ones where the protagonists have lots of obstacles to getting together. Those who like astronomy and history.

 Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.