How Not to Fall in Love
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4.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
A hardened cynic and a hopeless romantic teach each other about love in this swoony and heartful romance that’s perfect for fans of Tweet Cute and The Upside of Falling.
Harper works in her mom’s wedding shop, altering dresses for petulant and picky brides who are more focused on hemlines than love. After years of watching squabbles break out over wedding plans, Harper thinks romance is a marketing tool. Nothing more.
Her best friend Theo is her opposite. One date and he’s already dreaming of happily-ever-afters. He also plays the accordion, makes chain mail for Ren Festers, hangs out in a windmill-shaped tree house, cries over rom-coms, and takes his word-of-the-day calendar very seriously.
When Theo’s shocked to find himself nursing his umpteenth heartbreak, Harper offers to teach him how not to fall in love. Theo agrees to the lessons, as long as Harper proves she can date without falling in love. As the lessons progress and Theo takes them to heart, Harper has a harder time upholding her end of the bargain. She’s also checking out her window to see if Theo’s home from his latest date yet. She's even watching rom-coms.
If she confesses her feelings, she’ll undermine everything she’s taught him. Or was he the one teaching her?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Spending the summer between her junior and senior years of high school working at her mother's bridal boutique, Beneath the Veil, isn't Harper's dream, but it's not all bad. She has a fun coworker; a window view of handsome classmate Felix, who works out nearby; and regular contact with best friend and neighbor Theo. Despite the gig, though, cued-white Harper is a "hardened cynic" who's refused to date since being dumped by her first boyfriend. LARPer Theo, on the other hand, who's of Puerto Rican, Greek, and Swedish heritage, is deeply romantic, crying over rom-coms, sending roses, and "falling in love with every girl who lets you buy her an ice cream cone." Tired of having his heart broken, Theo agrees to let Harper teach him to date casually. While persuading readers that the protagonists are MFEO, Firkins (Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things) creates an adroit, even suspenseful dance of push and pull: Harper overthinks relationships and considers Felix's appeal, and Theo fears being hurt. The resulting will-they-or-won't-they not only gives rom-com formulas a playful refresh, it makes a strong case for the joys of medieval cosplay. Ages 14–up.
