An entertaining and emotional YA romance
I was having a huge book hangover when I decided to get this audiobook. I’m usually not a YA reader but this book was exactly what I needed to beat that book hangover, but unfortunately, it left me with another one… Enjoying two fantastic books in a row is a good problem to have…
College should be the best time of one’s life but not for Molly who is painfully introverted and has only her mum as her friend. She’s had a crush on her high school mate Cora since 9th grade and now that they are both going to the same college it’d be a great chance to ask her out… Only if she had the courage to do it, like Alex who seems to get all the girls. Alex needs to prove to her girlfriend that she’s trustworthy and what a better way than showing that she’s helping Molly to get Cora? But as practice dates and a budding friendship between Molly and Alex develops, maybe it’s not that clear who the best person for Molly is…
This is an opposites-attract, friends to lovers, young adult romance which focuses on the start of college life. This is a huge come-of-age period in young people’s lives, which this book captures perfectly. Not only the dreams and expectations of having the future in front of you with the power to shape it the way you want but also highlighting the fears and the self-doubt that come with such responsibility.
The opposites-attract trope is a very powerful one in romance, with the potential of showing how people can complement each other and become a strong couple. Saying that Molly and Alex are polar opposites is an understatement, they couldn’t be more different both in personalities and in life experiences. Molly is introverted and insecure and anyone who is a bit shy can relate to her awkwardness and inability to socialize properly. As a reader, following Molly’s attempts to get out of her comfort zone is painful and satisfying at the same time. Alex, on the other hand, has no qualms to get any girl or socialize in any situation, but she struggles with people taking her seriously for who she is, beyond her blond bombshell appearance. Both characters have some soul searching to do and it’s a pleasure to read about their personal growth.
Even though coming of age is a serious matter, as well as other issues both main characters go through, this is not done without a dose of compassion and humor. There are lots of funny moments and awkward situations which will make you laugh and also roll your eyes. This story summarises how college life feels from an insider perspective with all the good and bad moments which will make you feel as if you were back in time there.
I’m not a fan of two narrators for an audiobook, it’s rare when the type of story makes it beneficial instead of an annoyance. Each narrator performs a character, Natalie Naudus as Molly, and Valentina Ortiz as Alex. As this book is written in first person from the point of view of each character in alternate chapters, once I got used to one voice, the next chapter forced me to adjust again. Not my cup of tea to be honest, but I didn’t mind that much as the story is really enjoyable and Natalie Naudus is a great narrator.
If you are looking for an entertaining and emotional YA romance, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.
