LOVE & OTHER GREAT EXPECTATIONS

A teen girl embarks on a literary scavenger hunt through England for a chance to win a life-changing prize.

After a knee injury ends her soccer career, 18-year-old Britt Hanson knows her college sports scholarship chances are ruined—then she receives a mysterious invitation to travel to the U.K. and compete for $100,000. Britt and three other students have been invited by their English teacher, Ms. Carmichael, who’s arranging and sponsoring an all-expenses-paid 10-day scavenger hunt. On a Canterbury Tales–inspired journey, they must follow riddles that lead them to literary locations around the country and complete a journal about their adventures. Ever willing to talk to strangers, playful and outgoing Britt must face her insecurities about the way boys regard her and not being as smart as her older siblings or classmates. Accompanied by Alexis, the snarky chaperone who is in charge of ensuring she stays out of trouble, Britt also picks up Al’s cute, bookish cousin, Luke, at her first stop, and he joins her on her travels. Britt’s biggest challenge is filling out the journal—she struggles to put her thoughts into words—but she knows she must if she wants to win. Intriguing secrets—how can Ms. Carmichael afford this? Is someone sabotaging the students?—keep readers guessing. The romance is sweet, and Britt’s zeal for travel combined with laugh-out-loud moments will charm readers. Main characters are White.

An entertaining romp.