This is a terrific book! Doe is an incoming senior at Weston, an all girls school that has been her refuge since the challenging period following her parents divorce. She will do anything to keep Weston a safe and welcoming space, especially from the rival boys school, the Winfield Academy. When the schools announce they plan to merge the next year, Doe crafts a plan to take a longstanding prank war between the schools to the next level -- in part by fake dating the cousin of her Winfield rival. As the pranks become the center of Doe's life, at the expense of her friends, parents, and, perhaps, even what her classmates want, Doe gets increasingly dug in -- putting at risk her future, a chance at true love, and actually make the school the safe space she wants.

This is a highly enjoyable read, driven by the singular main character and her journey as she is on precipice of leaving the place where she has felt most at home. Strongly recommended!

Before I get into the review, I want to say a quick thank you to both the publishers over at Wednesday Books and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This May End Badly is about two rival schools with a long history of prank wars. Senior Doe, chief prankster at Weston, is thrown for a loop when she finds out that the Weston School for Girls and Winfield Academy for Boys are merging next year. In order to get under her rival(Three)’s skin, she convinces his cousin to fake date her. Will everything go to plan--will they be able to stop this merger--or will this all end badly? This May End Badly releases on April 12th and is available for preorder now.

I have to start the review by saying that this book did something that very few contemporary novels do which is make it hard for me to put the book down. I was so invested in this fake dating/prank war scenario that I read two thirds of this book in a day. If anyone has been following my blog lately, they know that this year has been hard for me on the reading front, so reading anything two thirds of the way through in one day is such an achievement. I found these characters so compelling and so realistic. Even the enemy’s extended family felt grounded in reality which I loved. This book also does a good job handling tough topics well--sexual harassment, inclusion, bullying, family issues. It was also a fun world to just be in and explore. I guess it’s true that I will never get enough boarding school stories in my life.

The ways this story struggled for me were mostly pacing/time management. I felt like we had such a heavy topic to deal with at the end of the story that I wish we had done more with it in the beginning. It is mentioned briefly at first, but the story is so centered around the fake dating and the scheming up pranks that it kind of gets lost. So, the pace feels a little disjointed. Also, as someone who has admitted to being a complete masochist, I wanted more angst out of the fake dating scenario. I felt like the author had some great scenes for the couple that were fake dating, but I wish there was more mutual pining. God I love me some mutual pining. The last real note that I have for the novel is that I wanted more from the family drama Three and his cousins are dealing with throughout the novel. Maybe this one goes back to pacing. I just wish that I had a better understanding of their family and the drama.

Overall, this is a great contemporary/romance for anyone who enjoys young adult or fake dating or seeing a cute couple in a bookstore once in a while.

Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes. It was very well done in this book. I loved the character and plot development. I felt like I was right there with the characters and couldn't wait to see how their story ended.

I enjoyed reading this book for several reasons. It was an easy read with quick, witty banter, it was wholesome in the physical romance department, and it hit on several emotional levels (this was more than just a romance book).
The family dynamics were interesting and really helped bring the characters backgrounds and foregrounds to life.
While the pranks seemed a little much, I get the intent of severity was portrayed on purpose for a particular plot setting.
The ending predicament was something that was handled well and was a good example for future girls and women to follow. Safety in numbers and going to authority together is always better, unfortunately.

So, this book is entertaining and fairly cute, with a very fun premise, but it has way too many simultaneous storylines. The main character, Doe, is also fairly obnoxious, and while I love fake dating tropes, this one fell flat for me. But my primary problem was really the sexual predator teacher and how, overall, that was handled. It really, truly should not be on high school students to deal with this sort of situation, and in an era where this sort of thing is pervasive and incredibly problematic, I've got concerns that this places so much responsibility with teenagers rather than adults. It was a fun book, but the handling of that really difficult topic was enough to make me not really enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free book that I received in exchange for my honest opinion.

The ending of this book redeemed itself- otherwise I found it a little childish and repetitive.

I loved that the Weston girls teamed up to achieve their goal of dismissing a predator from their school.

Weston was a safe haven for Doe when she needed it most, and she was determined to prevent the Winfield boys from destroying it. When Doe became consumed by the prank war, she risked losing everything that was important to her.

• Pro: Fact – I am trash for a boarding school setting, and Markum really pulled me into this world. A spotlight on the history of the institutions, as well as featuring school events, made the setting come to life, and I enjoyed learning the lay of the land.

• Pro: These kids really put a lot of time and energy into their pranks, and I couldn’t help but appreciate their efforts. Though things ultimately got a bit out of hand, most of the time it was just pure fun.

• Pro: I wasn’t totally sold on the reason for the fake dating, but I adored this pairing. Wells and Doe had such a great dynamic. There were sparks and endless witty banter. Watching these two fall for each other was a thing of beauty. And Wells ❤️, he owned my heart.

• Pro: Markum incorporated quite a few issues into the story, and the inclusion of these topics felt organic and honest which was something I really appreciated.

• Pro: I am begging readers to be patient with Doe. She was dealing with many emotions and some residual baggage from her past. Let’s just say not all her decisions were top-notch, but they were all part of her learning process. I promise, you will be proud of her personal growth by the end of the book.

• Pro: I came for the fake dating but the friendship and sisterhood really won me over. Doe was part of a fabulous quintet of ride-or-die friends. Things were not always perfect with them, but they were definitely #squadgoals. Their love and support of each other was something to envy.

There was a lot more to this story than I anticipated. I knew the prank war would add an element of fun, but the tale also had a great deal of depth. All that combined with a sweet romance and a focus on female friendship made this a fantastic read for me.

4.5 stars!
thank you so much wednesday books and netgalley for the arc! i really enjoyed this book i felt like it touched on a lot of important topics such as sexual harassment, school safety, sexuality, and gender. i was fully expecting a lighthearted fluffy book about a prank war and two teenagers falling in love (which i would’ve been content and happy with) but what i got was so much more! i loved doe and watching her grow into herself during the course of the book, there came a time where i wasn’t rooting for her because of her actions but it was great to see her learn from them and do better. i loved virginia i loved what she represented and what she fought for with gender equality and supporting the lgbtq community at weston, present and future! i loved Gabriel so much he made my heart happy! i do wish his and three’s backstory was explored a bit more. but wells had my heart from page one, seeing him love doe and do everything he can to help and protect her was beautiful! i loved the dynamic of the friend group, jade is such an important character i was so glad she called doe out when she needed it, i loved learning about each of them and what made them special and how they came together. the storyline with the teacher was unexpected at the start of the book and i know the headmaster is fictional but man she disappointed me big time! i was glad that in the end they won and made weston safer in the end, and that they also fought for the addition of counselling for the girls attending. i also loved doe’s secret stash of romance novels and how she shared them with wells along with her other secrets. this book was everything i wanted and more!

The Weston girls have been pranking the Winfield boys (and vice versa) since both schools opened. When a merger threatens that rivalry, Doe will do everything in her power to stop the merger including pretending to date her biggest rivals, nicknamed Three, cousin Wells. While I thought this would be a cute fake dating story, it's more of a coming of age novel and people coming together for the greater good.

I'll be honest, I really didn't enjoy the first part of this novel. I found the storyline and characters to be a bit immature. Never ending pranks throughout the school year just didn't seem that believable. Then the novel went in a bit of a different direction and I found myself enjoying it a lot more. I think the author did a really good job with the growth of these characters especially the main character Doe which made me second guess my dislike for the first part of the book. I think the intention was for her to be immature and kind of annoying. Regardless, I do like the message of this book and I think a lot of people will enjoy it.

I loved this book. The rivalry between Weston Girls and Winfield Boys provided a great backdrop for the main characters Doe, Wells, & Three. Wells & Three are cousins who have a rocky backstory that is revealed throughout the book, so no spoilers from me. Doe has always had a rivalry with Three since she started school at Weston. I'm no sure why it started or if it's because the schools themselves are rivals & always pranking each other.

Some hijinks ensue and Doe & Wells pretend to date so Wells can get something from Three and Doe can continue to torment Three and hopefully win the prank war. While "dating" Doe goes home with the Wellborn's (6 Winfield boys including Wells and Three) and we meet the most underrated character in the whole book imo, Meredith. She's Three's sister and I loved her and while we only see her for about 1 page, she plays a bigger role in the escalation of the pranks between Weston and Winfield.

Doe's friends Gemma, Shawn, Jade, & Sumi, were wonderful secondary characters and help her with all her pranks. There was also some drama within the friend group and enjoyed how honest and accurate it felt. There wasn't any cat fighting, instead they talked, learned, and resolved. Another thing I really loved was how both Weston and Winfield students rallied when a younger student revealed what a teacher did to her and as we learn many others.

The relationship between Wells and Doe was great too. For a bit I wasn't sure if there really was a love/hate thing going on between Doe & Three, but as he book continued you could she where her emotions lied. I liked some of the "adventures" they went on and that their relation seemed real and not sugar coated.

I highly recommend this book.

When done well, fake dating, prank wars, and boarding school are some of my favorite tropes. I think they were all executed well in this book- the author didn’t seem to rely on any single trope to get through the book and instead created a moving plot that incorporated all the tropes nicely.

Doe was a fairly compelling character who underwent quite a bit of character growth throughout the book. I liked that she was relatable in some of her insecurities and mannerisms, which then made her conflicts and overall development feel even more realistic. Wells was a nice contrast to Doe: he was pretty chill while she was more impulsive. It was fun to see their characters clash in some regards even while they grew closer during their fake relationship.

Doe’s relationship with her friend group was definitely one of my favorite parts of this book. The author showed how the unique identities of members within a friend group can mesh really well while also causing some divisions or ill feelings. I loved that the group was presented as a united front while also showing the group’s flaws as the book progressed. It was a very realistic way to depict friendship and really made me feel close the characters.

The pranks in this book were imaginative and created some funny scenes. The fake dating was cute and I loved how that relationship developed. These cute and funny elements were contrasted with the more serious topic of predatory behavior from a teacher. Everything involved with this aspect of the book was handled really well. I loved the unity from the students and how the allegations played into the larger picture of the school environment and politics.

There were some parts of the book that felt a little like filler or dull, empty space. I don’t know exactly how to put it into words but there just felt like there was something missing by the end of the book. Regardless, I would still recommend giving this book a read. It was cute, navigates some common tropes with originality, and tackles more serious topics with grace.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

I really enjoyed this one! Something about this story and these characters grabbed me right from the beginning. The story follows a prank war between an all girls school and an all boys school located across the street from one another. When the schools announce plans to merge, the main character makes a plan to stop it. She strikes a deal with the cousin of her archenemy to pretend they are dating to throw him off his game.

I enjoyed the way that this story grew from a simple prank war, to a fake dating love story, to a story about teens banding together to make a difference. When girls start to come forward about a predatory teacher on campus, students at both schools come together to make sure everyone has a chance to feel safe at their school.

I liked the funny banter between the characters and the silly pranks that the two schools played on one another, and I liked the slow buildup of the main relationship. I also really appreciated the way all the characters came together to protect the girls on campus. This story had a lot more layers than I expected, and it made me laugh out loud several times. I definitely recommend it for a fun read with a big heart!

I very much enjoyed this!
I liked how Doe’s character was portrayed: stubborn and flawed. It’s not because she’s the main character that every thing she does is absolutely perfect.
The story wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I was expecting school rivalries, a little love on the side. I was not expecting the whole Mr Tully situation as a main plot point.
I would be quite interested in seeing these characters again, see the grow up, see them in a few years perhaps, during or after college.

this book was so fun! fake dating?? boarding school rivalries and pranks?? what more could you ask for?

first of all, i loved the friendships. doe’s friend group was so wholesome.

second of all, the romance was so cute i adored wells and doe they were too cute they deserve the world

THE LGBTQ+ REP IN THIS WAS JUST WOW
the character development was EXCELLENT

i really appreciated how the author covered some Serious Matters such as sexual harassment

please read this book once it’s out in the world

This was one of those "inhale in one sitting" books that throw my daily work schedule all out of whack. I sit down to lunch and open the iPad . . . and the next thing I know it's time to cook dinner, I got no work done, but my brain is still in the world of the book.

Doe, our furiously angry protagonist, is the fiercest of Weston girls. She has a tight friendship circle, and she likes a school with no boys. The only fly in the ointment within Weston is a male teacher who gives her creepy vibes. Outside the school, there are the leaders of the boys-only academy across the street, whom she hates with a passions. She can't pass by without insulting them, which they return with teenage-boy verve.

Then comes the blow: the two schools are going to combine and become co-ed. Of course Doe has to lead the No Way resistance, which includes pranks that unfortunately the boys hand right back, with extra sauce. Doe finds herself boomeranging in and out of mounting fury--it doesn't help that she recruits one of The Enemy boys to fake date her just to drive their leader insane with annoyance. But Wells, her fake date, is the cutest. And he's also . . . human?

I'll stop there--it looks like this book got an enormous publicity push and there are already a zillion reviews. I really enjoyed it. I loved the fact that while Doe is fiercely angry, she is also fiercely protective of her friends, of the underdog. Though I know there is a place for "girls can be abusive jerk protagonists too!" stories, I don't like reading about abusive jerk protags, whatever their gender.

Doe learns from her mistakes, painful as some of those mistakes are. The arc with the creepy teacher could have tipped over into too much, but I thought it well handled; Markum did what I thought a deft job of making it clear the adults are individuals with their own faults and good qualities and outlooks, without letting them take over the page.

I loved Doe's sense of agency, and how she learns the hard way about handling social power. There is some frank joking around about condoms, and some language that I hear teens use, for those who would rather avoid such.

I received this book as an ARC through net galley, and this does not influence my review. I loveeeddd this book! Some parts actually made me laugh out loud, the scheming is great, I loved the girls' friendship. The author also had a great writing style. The romance was good, but I was rooting for Doe to end up with someone else and got disappointed, even though it was in the synopsis. I will definitely be reading more of this authors books though.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Oh, what to say about this story. Let me get some objective opinions out of the way before I give my real opinions.

This is a fun story for someone probably on the younger side of teen- if you are making the transition from middle grade to young adult, this is for you. If you like easy-to-read girlboss fun, this is for you. If you enjoy stories with fluffy fake dating, this is for you.

The pranks are fun, the story is well written with good pacing, and the schools are boarding schools with a rivalry that I was so ready to be over (in a good way- I was in anticipation)

My issues with the book mostly have to do with me being out of the age range, but I felt frustrated at times with Doe as a character. I also am more of a rivals-to-lovers fan, so I found myself wishing the story had taken a turn and for Doe and Three to get together, but the ending that Doe and Three ultimately had was very nice and fitting for them. I found myself wishing we got more from side characters like Shane and Gemma.

Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

There truly is nothing like a funny, yet heartfelt rom-com to always make you feel good! That is exactly how I felt reading this. It was so good! RTC