School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend's basketball team, Scottie is at her lowest. However, a minor fender-bender creates the opportunity for Scottie to team up with the gorgeous (and supremely annoying) cheerleader, Irene. Until the basketball district championship, they'll fake-date to make her ex jealous. Irene may be insufferable, but Scottie can handle a few months of hanging out with her. With a Hallmark movie--esque Southern small-town backdrop, Scottie shines as the basketball-loving, queer lead to root for as she grows into a stronger, wiser, and more empathetic human being. Building off vintage rom-com tropes, Scottie and Irene's story arc is delightfully upbeat while still leaving room for serious moments. Both girls are at different stages of moving on and discovering who they are after devastating break-ups. This leads to many clashes of consciousness, which in turn fuels healthy communication and understanding, creating characters who feel not only human but are highly relatable. The heart of the story is simple but sweet: If you want to get the girl, do it the right way…and maybe do one big cheesy romantic gesture. Scottie is white and Irene is Indian American; supporting characters range in skin tone and ethnicity. VERDICT Pulling vibes from classic 1990s movies such as She's All That and 10 Things I Hate About You, this campy and fun queer romance is a breath of fresh air.--Emily Walker, Lisle Lib. Dist., IL
Publisher's Weekly Review
Certain things are clear in redheaded white high schooler Scottie Zajac's world: one, the varsity girls' basketball team, for which she plays shooting guard, doesn't matter, since they have no real coach, no budget, and no cheerleaders. And two, her town, low-key Grandma Earl, Ga., is the object of mockery for richer, hipper neighbor Candlehawk. So it hurts all the more when the manipulative, blue-eyed Tally Gibson, "the first and only person ever loved," dumps her, transfers to Candlehawk Preparatory to play basketball, and returns to beat Scottie's team. Scottie is determined to get revenge, and she soon gets the chance during her senior year--in the form of persuading popular cheer captain and homecoming queen Irene Abraham, who is Indian American, to pretend to be her girlfriend. Things are never easy when love is involved, and Quindlen (Late to the Party) offers a queer refresh of multiple romance genre standbys: enemies to friends (Irene once had Scottie's car towed), fake dating, sports romance, and surmounting a broken heart. Add in a supportive family whose members actually like each other, and the result is a satisfyingly feminist rom-com mash-up. Ages 12--up. (Apr.)
Kirkus Review
Star basketball player Scottie Zajac begins her senior year of high school heartbroken. Her ex-girlfriend, Tally Gibson, ended their relationship right before transferring to a fancy high school in a neighboring town, and the breakup has left Scottie feeling like a shadow of herself--so much so that her sister calls her "a walking insecurity." In an effort to get Tally's attention--and possibly to win her back--Scottie bribes cheerleading captain and homecoming queen Irene Abraham to pretend that the two of them are dating. Irene agrees even though it means she'll have to come out at school (Irene is already out to her family). At first, the plan works even better than expected: Tally finds out about the couple and texts Scottie out of jealousy, and the cheerleading squad starts showing up to the girls basketball games, giving the team the confidence they need to play better and better. But then Scottie and Irene start to develop real feelings for each other, feelings that are complicated by the fact that Scottie isn't over Tally and Irene harbors a secret of her own. This optimistic romance is a page-turner full of quippy dialogue and emotional authenticity. Scottie, Irene, and their group of friends are complex, well-developed characters whose empathy and introspection are refreshing. Most characters are White; Irene is Indian American, and Scottie's best friend is Black. A gripping queer interracial romance about secrets, lies, and healing. (Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Scottie is still reeling from her break-up with Tally when the two exes compete in a varsity basketball game. When Tally's school wins, it's just the latest bad thing to happen to Scottie. But it's not the last--she gets into a fender bender with Irene, the super popular, super gorgeous cheerleader who has it out for Scottie. Now Irene's car is in the shop, and their moms are insisting they carpool. Scottie is totally uninclined to cooperate, until rumors that Tally is jealous of Scottie's new "relationship" get her scheming; she bribes Irene, who has her own reasons for playing along, to pretend to be her girlfriend. But the more time they spend together, the more Scottie and Irene find themselves becoming a little less like nemeses and a little more like friends--or maybe, possibly, something more? In addition to nailing the enemies-to-lovers romance (with a side of fake dating to boot), Quindlen also fleshes out white Scottie's and Indian American Irene's families and emotional lives. As Scottie comes to terms with the toxicity in her past relationship and the lingering feelings that prevent her from moving on, Irene addresses her own fraught coming out and clashes with her mother not over her sexuality but her desire to keep cheerleading in college. A little sweet, a little sharp, this romance will resonate with readers looking for an emotional journey.
