Status
Checked out
Due 12/26/2023
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Roaring Brook Press (2021), 304 pages
Description
After an embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, Irene Abraham, who is as beautiful as she is mean. When the damage sends Irene's car to the shop for weeks' worth of repairs, the girls are forced to carpool for the foreseeable future. Their rocky start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb their school's social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along.
User reviews
LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
A fun, sometimes laugh out loud funny take on enemies to friends to girlfriends. Irene and Scottie get into a fender bender. Scottie's mother suggests Scottie drive Irene to school while the latter's car is being repaired. Since they dislike each other, it is a task.
Scottie is a whiz on the
Can two girls who dislike each other become more than friends? Enjoy the ride as you get to see. Don't forget the romance between some of Scottie's friends with some of Irene's. fun and heart warming through to the end.
Scottie is a whiz on the
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basketball court and Irene leads the cheerleading squad. Also, Scottie is on the rebound after her girlfriend, Tally, broke up with her and switched high schools to their arch basketball enemy.Can two girls who dislike each other become more than friends? Enjoy the ride as you get to see. Don't forget the romance between some of Scottie's friends with some of Irene's. fun and heart warming through to the end.
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LibraryThing member starlight-glimmer
This is my favorite kind of YA, thoughtful, fun, inclusive, and sensitive. I clicked with both of the bright, layered main characters, and I enjoyed how they both prioritize friendship and their goals, while also embarking on a cute romance! The family dynamics also felt really empowering and it is
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such a pleasure to see parenting depicted in this loving, truly supportive way. Bonus points for cats named Boo Boo and Pickles! :) I’m giving more bonus points because coming out/being out is not a major plot point, and that is so refreshing! Show Less
LibraryThing member kevn57
I liked how Scottie grew throughout the story, but sometimes I felt the pacing of that growth just took too long. Scottie and Irene should have had more fun together then have things fall apart before the final act. It would have made the story more fun and even more believable as to why Scottie
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and Irene even should be together Show Less
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
This Sapphic rom com retelling of the movie Can’t Buy Me Love, is so much fun. Scottie is on the basketball team but is not doing well. She cannot get over her ex Tally. It has become a complete mental block that is taking away from every aspect of her life. After the demo game against her school
While this book is quite typical for the genera, its written well and keeps the readers wanting to turn the page. This is a read in one sitting book. It’s short and quick, but does not lack in emotion or problem management. Scottie has a dream family. They are so loyal and supportive in all things. Irene’s parents are also supportive, but this book does a great job of showing how Irene does’t always feel that support. I think it also handles Scottie’s mental anguish over her breakup really well. Her family talks things over, her friends let her take the time and do the things she needs to do to find herself again. This is not an “issue” book, it is instead a book filled with events that feel true life. They fell real, and youth could see themselves and their friends as different characters living these lives.
One of the great things about this book is that the pop culture references are already dated so it keeps the book fresh. For example, Irene, actually says : is this a Can’t Buy Me Love thing (classic Patrick Dempsey movie from the 80’s). One of the main characters actually references the movie this book retells. The title come from the Fine Young Cannibals song of the same name, and Irene is called Regina George (from Mean Girls) more than once. It is all tongue in cheek, but it all works together seamlessly. Nothing feels pushed or too cheesy.
Overall this book was a joy to read. If you are looking for more Sapphic rom-coms try: You Should See me in a Crown by Leah Johnson, or Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen. If you want more Can’t Buy me Love retellings (fake relationships) in all sexualities try: Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan or Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao.
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rival, where Tally is now going, she runs her car in to the car of the Head Cheerleader Irene. The same head cheerleader who had Scottie’s car towed last year at a party for no reason. This starts off an enemies to lovers’ adventure that keeps readers smiling throughout. Scottie offers Irene the money she needs to repair the car if she pretends to be her girlfriend for 4 months. Scottie has two main reasons for this offer, one to make Tally jealous, and two to make her basketball team play better. After all, don’t all teams play better when they have a cheering section? While this book is quite typical for the genera, its written well and keeps the readers wanting to turn the page. This is a read in one sitting book. It’s short and quick, but does not lack in emotion or problem management. Scottie has a dream family. They are so loyal and supportive in all things. Irene’s parents are also supportive, but this book does a great job of showing how Irene does’t always feel that support. I think it also handles Scottie’s mental anguish over her breakup really well. Her family talks things over, her friends let her take the time and do the things she needs to do to find herself again. This is not an “issue” book, it is instead a book filled with events that feel true life. They fell real, and youth could see themselves and their friends as different characters living these lives.
One of the great things about this book is that the pop culture references are already dated so it keeps the book fresh. For example, Irene, actually says : is this a Can’t Buy Me Love thing (classic Patrick Dempsey movie from the 80’s). One of the main characters actually references the movie this book retells. The title come from the Fine Young Cannibals song of the same name, and Irene is called Regina George (from Mean Girls) more than once. It is all tongue in cheek, but it all works together seamlessly. Nothing feels pushed or too cheesy.
Overall this book was a joy to read. If you are looking for more Sapphic rom-coms try: You Should See me in a Crown by Leah Johnson, or Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen. If you want more Can’t Buy me Love retellings (fake relationships) in all sexualities try: Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan or Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao.
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Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2024)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2023)
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2023)
ALA Rainbow Book List (Selection — 2022)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2022)
CCBC Choices (2022)
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (Selection — 2022)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2021-04-20
Physical description
304 p.; 8.25 inches
ISBN
1250209153 / 9781250209153