Title: She Gets the Girl
Authors(s): Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 384 pgs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon - B&N - BAM! - TBD - Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 384 pgs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon - B&N - BAM! - TBD - Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.
The Summary
She’s All That meets What If It’s Us in this swoon-worthy hate-to-love YA romantic comedy from #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart Rachael Lippincott and debut writer Alyson Derrick.
Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand…not so much. Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.
Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. But when Alex, fresh off a bad (but hopefully not permanent) breakup, discovers Molly’s hidden crush as their paths cross the night before classes start, they realize they might have a common interest after all. Because maybe if Alex volunteers to help Molly learn how to get her dream girl to fall for her, she can prove to her ex that she’s not a selfish flirt. That she’s ready for an actual commitment. And while Alex is the last person Molly would ever think she could trust, she can’t deny Alex knows what she’s doing with girls, unlike her.
As the two embark on their five-step plans to get their girls to fall for them, though, they both begin to wonder if maybe they’re the ones falling…for each other.
My Review
Molly and Alex were great characters, and really complimented each other. They both have girl problems: Molly has a hopeless crush on a former classmate and Alex was hit with a rough break-up. Alex, finding out about Molly's crush, devises a plan to help her win the girl and to prove to Alex's ex that Alex can be genuine friends with someone. And this is the start of it all. Like I said, Molly and Alex compliment each other, but that's not obvious at first because there is major friction between the two. Hot-headed Alex and painfully-shy Molly clash, but through Alex's plan, they learn more and more about each other. As the girls learn about each other, they also learn about themselves.
While this is sapphic romance, it is not a coming out story. That was a big draw while I was reading. Both Molly and Alex are out to friends and family alike, so the reader really gets to dive into the development of the relationships, both romantic and friendly. The setting of freshman year of college is also a great time because it is an often pivotal moment in transition from a teenager to adult. This aspect of the book was so impactful, as the reader got to experience both Molly and Alex develop into different, and in some ways better, versions of their old selves. Then the relationship development was sweet to read as well. So the more intense personal growth and more light-hearted (but just as important) romantic growth created a nice harmony.
The writing was funny with poignant aspects. Each character's voice was distinct, and I enjoyed the changing point of view. I don't think that the story would be as round as it is if the reader only heard from one of the characters. This book moved fast, even if the romance was a slow burn (I do love a good slow burn). I was engaged throughout, and felt the ending was perfect, even though I could've always had more. My only note with the writing was the pop culture references used could date the book in the future and not make as much of an impact. But that really doesn't detract from the story for me personally.
She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick is a must-add to your YA contemporary romance pile. Sweet, funny, and emotional, this romcom will hit all the best parts of a feel-good story. I would 100% read anything these two come up with next!
CW: alcoholism, parental neglect and abandonment, internalized racism, toxic relationship
Final Rating
About the Authors
Rachael Lippincott is the coauthor of All This Time, #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart, and She Gets the Girl and the author of The Lucky List. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.
Alyson Derrick was born and raised in Greenville, Pennsylvania, a town where burn barrels take the place of recycling bins. After making her great escape to Pittsburgh, where she earned her bachelor’s in English writing, Alyson started her own food truck, but soon realized she much prefers telling stories over slinging cheesesteaks. Alyson currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.
I really liked this book. Both leads were quirky and relatable, their issues felt real and authentic, and their personalities were quirky enough to be interesting without being overdone.
ReplyDeleteGreat recommendation!