Rebekah Weatherspoon

Two late bloomers try fake dating to gain confidence and skills for the real thing.

Reluctant basketball superstar Bethany Greene might once have been so repelled by boys that she publicly burst into tears at the revelation that one of her besties had done the deed. That was before Oliver Gutierrez opened her eyes to “how truly hot boys can be.” But when both Oliver and her backup plan turn her down for homecoming, Bethany knows she has to find a way to get some experience and shed her “Crybaby Bethany” reputation. Enter Jacob Yeun, aspiring filmmaker and the reticent boyfriend (and then ex-boyfriend) of another of Bethany’s besties. In her first young adult novel, established adult romance author Weatherspoon gives readers what they want as Bethany and Jacob are thrown together, enter a secret dating pact, and eventually fall for each other. The Los Angeles teens are wholesome and appealing and just a touch more glamorous than real life: Both of Bethany’s moms played in the WNBA, and Jacob’s parents are tattoo artists. Bethany is a confidently fat Black girl, and Jacob is a lightly tattooed Korean American skater. Each is surrounded by their own racially mixed crews, which also include gay and nonbinary representation. The characterization of the sprawling cast of friends and family members is cursory, but the love and affirmation between them carries the day.

Light and sweet. (Romance. 13-18)

-Kirkus Review… (altro)

Her Good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon
YA contemporary romance. Fake relationship troupe. Diverse relationship. HFN.
16 year old Bethany Greene hasn’t dated yet but she wants to try. Her best friend thinks the best way to start is a double date as just friends. That doesn’t work out very well, so the next option is to talk her best friend into pretending they are now dating. Jacob Yeun is on board with fake dating since he’s been dumped twice already in the school year and figures so practice dating may be just what he needs. As the two friends start with holding hands, they find that maybe they want a little more, but how to approach that is more than a little terrifying.

Bethany is confident in herself and knows who she is. Since she’s on the basketball team, she feels that asking a cute boy to the dance that is also a basketball player is the way to go. Oh, the angst I felt in her asking and him saying he is asking someone else. The comfort she has with Jacob is a relief as they go out the first time as a “couple”. Of course, the we know where this goes. Additional drama is included with family, friends and school situations.

I liked the security and confidence each had in select situations and then the uncertainty in others. So true to life, showing you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes even if you think you know someone.
Best audience mid teens.… (altro)