The Fragile Ordinary

Comet Caldwell, 16, is sure she will never live up to her cool name. She has friends, but she doesn't do social media, and she's certainly not hooking up; the boys she knows are nothing like the "brave and loyal and swoonworthy" heroes of the romances she reads. Then Tobias King moves to Edinburgh from America; he's smart and handsome, but he hides his brains and pals around with a bad crowd, which includes his cousin Stevie. Comet is surprised when Tobias is interested, but their getting together leads to her being bullied and Tobias becoming estranged from his cousin, who really needs a friend. Young (The Impossible Vastness of Us) creates a genuine and relatable heroine in Comet, but the narrative relies heavily on exposition, with Comet dictating her thoughts and emotions in a manner that can come across as forced. And when Stevie gets into real trouble, it feels less like a plot development and more like an arbitrary event needed to create an obstacle to Comet and Tobias's otherwise perfect love. Ages 14-18. Agent: Lauren E. Abramo, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (June)