How (Not) to Fall in Love by Lisa Brown Roberts
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.
Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone.
But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself…if she has the courage to follow it.
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My Review
Neither the cover nor the book blurb really do this fabulous book justice. It isn’t nearly as dark and brooding as the cover and the story is so much more than the synopsis. The title is what hooked me, but the strong writing is what kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Darcy is the daughter of a successful motivational speaker who takes off on a sabbatical, leaving his business and family behind. Darcy’s world is turned upside down, not just by her father’s departure, but by the fallout, as her dad becomes late night talk show fodder, her car is repossessed, and she finds herself needing a job for the first time in her life. She reconnects with her uncle who owns a thrift shop and befriends his assistant, Lucas. The fact that Lucas is ten kinds of hot and has a girlfriend who looks like a supermodel doesn’t help. Through it all, Darcy discovers more about herself, her family, and what it means to be triumphant.
Plot
The plot centers around Darcy and her crumbling world, with a strong romantic subplot. And while the title is How (Not) to Fall in Love, this isn’t a typical teen romance. It’s so much more than that. Darcy has a lot on her plate and she steps up to it more than once, proving she’s more than just a spoiled rich girl who’s had life easy up until it falls apart.
World Building
The author does a remarkable job of creating such believable settings. Everything from the high-powered world of motivational speaking to the bohemian neighborhood where her Uncle Charlie lives come alive in vivid detail. I love the details of her uncle’s thrift shop and Liz’s coffee house. In both cases, I felt as if they were real places that I’d love to visit.
Characters
The characters were all really well developed. More so than almost anything I’ve read recently. Darcy, Lucas, Charlie, Liz, even Darcy’s parents all had incredible depth. The characters are the best part of the story, but more than just awesome characters. The plot is strong, it’s just that the characters bring it to life in refreshing fashion.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About How (Not) to Fall in Love
1. Darcy. She’s resilient, unspoiled, and full of spunk. I loved watching her grow throughout the story.
2. Charlie. I love his free-spirited nature and how much he cares for Darcy.
3. Lucas. I love how he sees more in Darcy than she does in herself.
4. Pickles. What’s not to love about a pint-sized ball of determination?
5. Liz. Everything about this 40-ish hippy barista is awesome.
Bottom Line
How (Not) to Fall in Love was a surprise hit for me. I love the story, the characters, the settings, really everything. One of my favorite young adult reads of 2015.
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book
Title: How (Not) to Fall in Love
Author: Lisa Brown Roberts
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 379
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo
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Author Lisa Brown Roberts
About the Author
Lisa Brown Roberts still hasn’t recovered from the teenage trauma of nearly tweezing off both eyebrows and having to pencil them in for an entire school year.
This and other angst-filled memories inspire her to write YA books about navigating life’s painful and funny dramas, and falling in love along the way.
Her almost forever home is Colorado, though she occasionally pines for the days when she lived within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean. Her house is full of books, boys, several fourlegged prima donnas, and lots of laughter.
Where to find Lisa Brown Roberts
Goodreads | Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
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