FICTION

The Romantics

by Leah KONEN
336p. ebook available. Abrams/Amulet. Nov. 2016. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781419721939.
COPY ISBN
Gr 8 Up—Gael Brennan is a 17-year-old high school senior in Chapel Hill, NC. He plays the sax in marching band, loves Alfred Hitchcock and Wes Anderson films, and is a smart, well-behaved kid. So why do bad things keep happening to him? The summer before his senior year, his parents separate. Almost two months into the school year, his girlfriend breaks up with him (in a horrible way). This novel follows Gael (a romantic at heart) and his quest to find love as he lives through this trying time. Or, more aptly, this is Love's quest to lead Gael into brighter times ahead. Konen cleverly personifies Love as a lighthearted and empathetic narrator. The remaining characters—Gael, his friends, his sister, and his parents—are all perfectly imperfect, creating relatable and enjoyable scenes in this slice-of-life novel.
VERDICT A jaunty, entertaining work that will reach a broad range of readers, with a feel-good cast of characters teens can root for. A general purchase for most YA collections.
Reviewed by Stephanie DeVincentis, Downers Grove North High School, IL
Eighteen-year-old Gael is a sensitive romantic; he's still reeling over his parents' unexpected divorce when his girlfriend cheats on him with his best friend. Love itself, who serves as an omniscient narrator, tries to steer flailing Gael away from a rebound and toward a better option. This sweet, smart, and occasionally madcap romantic comedy is cleverly told and packed with genuine laughs.
 , Oct 01, 2016

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