Five ways to fall out of love

Gr 10 Up—When Webster Casey moves in across the street, Aubrey Cash is excited to have made a friend. After spending the summer getting to know him, she asks him to the homecoming dance. When he stands her up, though, she realizes he's not the person she thought he was. Not only does he stop talking to her, but he spends most of their senior year bullying her, leaving Aubrey confused about his former kindness. Then Aubrey starts dating his cousin Holland and realizes what it's like to have someone treat her well. When she finds out why Webster acted the way he did, she must confront new emotions that change her outlook. Though the premise of this story is sweet, its execution falls flat. In the first half of the novel, the characters seem naive and their actions are not always realistic. During the second half, the author suddenly throws in heavy sensual scenes that do not fit the flow of the narrative. The problems that Aubrey faces are relatable and important, but the way her character complains often comes across as whiny. Webster's identity as bisexual, though an important attempt at greater inclusion in the narrative, is poorly developed. Despite the inconsistencies, Martin does a good job at advancing the plot and highlighting the granular level of teenage angst. Main characters are white. VERDICT Books by Julie Buxbaum and Marie Marquardt are better choices, but this is a possible purchase for libraries with a large teen romance following.—Karin Greenberg, Manhasset H.S., NY Copyright 2020 School Library Journal.

Avoiding relationships after being publicly stood up at homecoming, Aubrey finds her resolve to stay single tested when she is partnered with her ex in science class at the same time she meets her ex's attractive cousin.

Avoiding relationships after being publicly stood up at homecoming, Aubrey finds her resolve to stay single tested when she is partnered with her ex in science class at the same time she meets her ex’s attractive cousin. 30,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.

How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways…Aubrey Cash learned the hard way not to rely on love. After all, Webster Casey, the new boy next door she'd been falling for all summer, stood her up at homecoming in front of everyone with no explanation. Proving her theory that love never lasts seems easy when she's faced with parents whose marriage is falling apart and a best friend who thinks every boy she dates is "the one." But when sparks fly with a boy who turns out to be Webster's cousin, and then Webster himself becomes her lab partner for the rest of senior year, Aubrey finds her theory—and her commitment to stay single—put to the test.As she navigates the breakdown of her family, the consequences her cynicism has on her relationship with her best friend, and her own confusing but undeniable feelings for Webster, Aubrey has to ask herself: What really happened the night Webster stood her up? And if there are five ways to fall out of love…could there perhaps be even more ways to fall back in?

How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways'Aubrey Cash learned the hard way not to rely on love. After all, Webster Casey, the new boy next door she''d been falling for all summer, stood her up at homecoming in front of everyone with no explanation. Proving her theory that love never lasts seems easy when she''s faced with parents whose marriage is falling apart and a best friend who thinks every boy she dates is "the one." But when sparks fly with a boy who turns out to be Webster''s cousin, and then Webster himself becomes her lab partner for the rest of senior year, Aubrey finds her theory'and her commitment to stay single'put to the test.As she navigates the breakdown of her family, the consequences her cynicism has on her relationship with her best friend, and her own confusing but undeniable feelings for Webster, Aubrey has to ask herself: What really happened the night Webster stood her up? And if there are five ways to fall out of love'could there perhaps be even more ways to fall back in?