ARC read 2025
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239313447-love-and-other-tragedies
I started this book without really knowing what it was about and I'm kind of glad that I went into it without knowing right away this book really took me back to my high school days filled with insecurities, thinking about cute boys and wondering if they notice me too, worrying about what will happen after high school.
The story starts with Rose (our FMC) excited about starting her senior year and looking forward to her upcoming audition for the school play along with her best friend June (who is also auditioning). Rose is a hard worker but she has to really plan her school work and homework out to get things finished due to her ADHD diagnosis leaving her frequently thinking way too much about everything at once and not able to finish her tasks.
Beau (our MMC) is her long time crush and June's twin brother she has been long term pining for him forever... but this year something changes and he is noticing her too, suddenly he is asking her on study dates to the library, picking her up from school and sneaking around with her to have make out sessions. Rose doesn't get the lead in the play coming up but she does land a part and is excited to perform this year is going great what could go wrong?
The opening night of the play someone defaces the plays poster specifically targeting Rose not wanting to make a big deal out of it trying to give herself time to figure out who to talk to she takes the evidence until she can take her next steps. Initially thinking that this is an isolated incident it is quickly realized that whoever targeted her is targeting others in the school but who could it be? Is it just one person or is it a group targeting multiple people?
Rose is now in the middle of a movement another student has gathered together a group at school from the students that were targeted that want to fight back for their rights and their safety at the school.
While Rose is trying to live her normal teenage life (now including her situationship) she is now attempting to keep up with school work, apply for different colleges, memorize lines for the various plays, and what is going on between her and Beau? Will this last beyond graduation or does it have an expiration date? ...well that's depressing she finally has the chance to be with Beau and it might end before it even really begins.
When the attacks continue will Rose be able to stand up and face what is happening head on? Will her mom's even let her since everyone is now so worried about what will happen next.
This book pulled me in right away I loved our leads and how their relationship grew over the course of the book, I loved how close Rose was with her parents and her friendship with June was true friendship goals (no one else was rooting for her brother and Rose to be together more than June).
The book deals with a lot of hard subjects but in a natural way that kept the story moving forward when I went to start the book I was going to just read the first few chapters... I ended up staying up later and reading 10.
If you are looking for your next YA read that will keep you turning pages wanting to find out what happens next put this on your TBR list.
*Young Adult *coming of age *best friends brother *romance *ADHD rep *Jewish Rep
*Social Justice themes *FMC Theater kid *MMC Baseball player *Indie Author *slow burn
*Age appropriate for Teen readers *sweet
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