Because friends/enemies/fake lovers to possibly lovers it too good to pass up.
Song Vibe Check:
"Elevator Eyes" By: Tove Lo
"Don't Leave Yet" By: Eric Nam
"Liar, Liar" By: Dylan, Bastille
NOTE: Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!
It's been a while since I sat down to read a YA rom-com novel simply because a lot of them feel too familiar with predictable plots and what not. But the idea of a book that sets out to discuss sex as well as consent and showing the raw ups and downs of falling in love and teenage hood in a way that feels reminiscent to what it's like to be a teenager in our current times, I have to admit this book did a pretty good job. The last time I read a book like that was Cynthia Hand's With You All the Way which was hilarious and did a good job of keeping us invested. I also wish this cover were a bit better as it could have looked a bit more interesting and less generic like most YA rom com covers nowadays that involves enemies to lovers, but oh well.
Now, onto our usual to see what happens.
Short Summary: The resident shy virgin sets out to impress her brother's best friend Andrew but to do that, she'll need help from her enemy to give her a few lessons in getting the boy she wants.
Cue the drum roll.
Long Summary: If there was an award for Least Able To Function Around Cute Boys, Jess Webster would clean up. She can barely talk to a guy, let alone engage in naked things. But now that high school is over, Jess resolves to put her big girl pants on and at last bang bag the longtime object of her desire, Andrew. All she needs is someone to practice on first.
Enter Benjamin Oliver. Jock hot, nerd hot (which is just greedy, really), star quarterback, and all-around pain in Jess’s ass. While Jess would rather nap on a nest of fire ants than be his girlfriend, there’s still something about him that sends a jolt through her stomach, making him her best (and only) candidate for her guy game glow-up.
With summer in full swing and not one, but two, cute boys on the horizon, Jess is pretty sure she’s on the winning side of the bargain. But can her deal with Benjamin stay purely business-with-pleasure? And, the question that Jess soon can’t ignore: does she want it to?
I admit that while reading this book, the beginning did feel a bit cringey and trying a bit too hard to incorporate the Gen Z language "The boomer teacher" had me dying inside, but if we brush aside the try-hard attempt in the beginning to hook readers, the banter and chemistry between Jess and Benjamin--I mean, Ben haha is one that makes you wonder what exactly happens between frenemies who shake on a deal and maybe realize that they had pent-up desires to be with each other.
I did get a few good laughs on the train with this one, so there is that.
Overall: 4/5 stars.
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