Build a Girlfriend

Gr 9 Up–In this Latinx debut rom-com, the Puerto Rican Hernandez women have been cursed by love for 100 years and have accepted their fate—except Amelia. Pansexual teen Amelia has been dating Perri for six months, until Perri inevitably breaks her heart and dumps her. Amelia’s aunts create a Hernandez Romance Boot Camp to help her heal and become the quintessential girlfriend. The plan? Break the curse by revisiting her exes. Everything changes when her ex Leon reappears and Amelia concocts a revenge plan as hot as her aunts’ empanadas. But as Amelia navigates her exes and the family curse, she realizes the answers she seeks may not be in the boot camp guide. This story is filled with heart and humor, capturing the challenges of entering adulthood and navigating family expectations. Its strength lies in its quirky characters, especially the Hernandez aunts, whose dynamic evokes the charm of Practical Magic. The book poignantly portrays the struggles of first-generation Latinx children trying to meet their family’s high standards. However, the story falters in pacing, alternating between too slow and too fast, leaving some plot points underdeveloped. Amelia’s inner monologues often dominate, slowing narrative momentum and distracting from the character’s core conflict. While the quirkiness adds charm, parts of the story feel forced or unnecessary, ultimately diluting its emotional impact.