Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! I found this book cute and addictive, but there were so many times where I wanted to scream at the main character, Sam. That being said, they're teenagers - so bad decisions will be made. I wouldn't mind a companion book to this one.

What had the potential to be a magical "beach read" romance turned out to be very disappointing. Full disclosure, romance is my least favorite genre. The main character is shallow and unlikeable with very little growth throughout the book. Very few of the supporting cast have any redeeming qualities, either. The plot actually seems well constructed and the writing is decent, but the MC's actions and motives are annoying at least and deplorable at most. Almost didn't finish but kept hoping it would get better...

I'm not gonna lie, when I started reading this I was sure I was going to hate it. But I soldiered on and I'm so glad I did! All of the things I disliked and found shallow about Sam and his list in the beginning were totally addressed as his character evolved throughout the novel. Did some of this feel a bit cliched and contrived? Sure. But there were so many important topics discussed AND discussed in a manner that felt thought provoking and authentic! This was certainly a happy and welcome surprise, one that teens will not only enjoy but can also relate to, making it a perfect addition to YA collections.