G F Miller

The rollercoaster ride of middle grade emotions slams into the hyper-drive of crushes and peer pressure in a tale with heart, humor, and an entire truck load of drama.

After several months of separation, Eve can't wait for her forever-best-friend Andrew comes back from Florida, but the moment, he steps away from the terminal, it's clear some things have changed. But then, everything in her life seems to be doing that. Many of the kids at school are changing...and not only physically, crushes are the hottest topic, and Eve's own parents can no longer seem to get along. She's steering everything as best she can. When all the girls at school push her to ask Andrew to an upcoming dance, claiming the two are the perfect couple, Eve decides to give in. After all, he's her best friend...but things don't go as planned. Everyone now claims the two are a couple, and even silly Andrew seems to think they should be one. At least, that's how he's sort of acting. After the dance goes askew in the most awkward way, Eve admits she doesn't like him like that to her friends but breaking up is even more difficult than getting together. She has to make him break up with her. Of course, he's well aware of this social rule, and unknown to her, decides on the same plan of attack thanks to his own friends. Add the storm of her fighting parents, a fact she's still trying to hide from everyone and find a way to solve, and everything is about to become the biggest disaster ever.

Yep. This book is middle grade romance-ish as I and my kids have come to know it. Eve might be level-headed for her age but gossip and peer-pressure are a might force to be reckoned with, especially at that age. It's not that she's even a person, who is trying to make everyone like her (as in so many reads). Eve is just lost, trying to find footing when the world around her...and even she herself...don't make the same sense as before. The separation from Andrew of three months did seem a little short to bring about some changes, but this pause of seeing each other does set the perfect stage for the misunderstandings and uncertainties to settle in, which drive the entire read. The two know each other well, care for each other insanely, but have lost just enough contact to give wiggle room in their, otherwise, concrete connection.

The read does concentrate heavily on the back and forth between Eve and Andrew, giving very few of the other characters much depth. But then, these two do have enough drama on their own. Plus, Eve's parental problems come into play, demonstrating how looming divorces go way beyond the emotional status of the kids at home and sink into every other aspect of their life, unintentionally or not. It was nice to see this so subtly (while not being subtle) addressed.

Most important, this is a read which does toss the emotions back and forth in the best ways. Eve and Andrew are never to be underestimated in their attacks on each other, which tosses in humor and gasp worthy surprises. On the other side, the non-severable care they have for each other leaks through to bring warm sighs. It's drama pure and is sure to be enjoyed by more than just a few middle grade readers.
I received an ARC, am giving this 4.5 and rounding up with a smile.… (altro)

When I started this book, I was unsure what to expect. It sounded like such a fun and unique story and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
The characters were extremely likable and definitely human. I laughed. I cringed. And I had fun.
I really don’t have any complaints about this book and was pleasantly surprised by how clean it was. (One or two uses of language.)

5/5 Stars

*I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

Quotes:
“It’s not working—I’m too overwrought. I haven’t slept in days. I’ve come to my mortal enemy for mercy. I cannot send Vindhya to school in a Godzilla costume. And the countdown to total self destruct is at T-minus ten hours. Frustration and humiliation press hard against the back of my eyes. I will myself not to cry, but my next words sound a little too much like pleading. ‘I’m sorry for being snarky before. Okay? But please. You must have something else,’”

*quote taken from ARC and subject to change.… (altro)