CUPID'S REVENGE

London teens navigate crushes and family drama in this story that highlights making errors—and making amends.

Matilda Taylor isn’t happy that Grandad is moving in—there’s enough going on, and she’s sure they won’t be able to handle his Alzheimer’s. Tilly and best friend Teddy Booker are still processing the loss of their beloved mutual friend, Grace, three years earlier, when they were 13. On top of that, Tilly and Teddy don’t always feel like they fit in with their musical families: They aren’t creative and have no interest in pursuing careers in the arts. But when Teddy needs support with going after Katherine Cooper-Bunting, the girl he fancies, Tilly begrudgingly accompanies him to the community theater audition where Katherine will be. Unfortunately, when Tilly first lays eyes on Katherine, she’s smitten. Organized into three acts, this novel includes a sex-positive, will-they-won’t-they romance that follows Tilly’s desperate attempts to protect her friendship with Teddy while also harboring a secret crush. Against the backdrop of West End amateur dramatics, the delightful cast of characters provides pages of witty banter, swoony moments, and poignant scenes. Tilly and Teddy navigate their familial and grief-related traumas productively, and the mistakes they make are addressed seamlessly, with respect, and in a non-preachy manner. This sweet and serious story is perfect for fans of Alice Oseman. Main characters read white.

Authentic and artful.