Never Ever Getting Back Together

Gr 9 Up–Reality TV show contestants who are fresh out of high school and looking for love with a pseudo-member of a royal family? Gonzales ropes in readers and will have them hooked. Maya was dumped by Jordy, and he started dating Skye two years ago; his older sister is now married to a prince of a small European country and he’s suddenly an eligible bachelor, hence the show, Second-Chance Romance, which brings together his exes for a competition to get back with him. Maya hates Jordy just as much as she hates Skye—who she’s stuck rooming with for the duration of the filming—and agrees to do the show in hopes of secretly bringing Jordy down. On the other hand, despite many reservations after her relationship with Jordy abruptly ended when he moved, Skye decided to give him another chance. Though the story is slow to start and some suspension of disbelief regarding typical 18-year-old behavior is necessary, this novel finds ways to incorporate the importance of friendship, second chances, and love in all forms without feeling heavy or overbearing. The novel includes LGBTQIA+ representation in main characters as well as BIPOC side characters. There are age-relevant displays of affection.