FIVE WAYS TO FALL OUT OF LOVE

Love is put to the test.

As a self-proclaimed scientist, high school senior Aubrey Cash is an anti-romantic. Evidence like her parents’ failing marriage and her best friend Reese’s long list of ex-boyfriends who were “the one” confirm her theory that “the whole concept of true love is inherently flawed.” Holland Sawyer might just be the guy to test her observations thus far, however. His optimism could balance Aubrey’s cynicism, and their first meeting has the makings of an “epic meet-cute.” Except there’s the fact that he’s Webster Casey’s cousin—the same Webster who seemingly inexplicably stood her up at their junior dance; the Webster who now is either at her throat or completely shutting her out. Things get all the more complicated when Webster is assigned to be her Life Skills class partner for the semester. Aubrey is self-aware of her M.O. and realizes that she filters evidence through her own preconceived ideas; nevertheless, she can’t help herself, and her tendencies start to sabotage the relationships that matter to her even though those around her are there to call her out and drive her self-reflection. Readers will find Aubrey sympathetic as she struggles. The romantic tension is not as strong as the more well-developed friendship between Aubrey and Reese, whose ups and downs have higher stakes. Characters are predominantly White by default; Webster is bisexual.

Misunderstandings and miscommunication drive this character-driven romance.