Freshmen

Ellen and Ivison (A Totally Awkward Love Story) have teamed up again, this time with a U.K.-based college romance reminiscent of the TV show Felicity. On the first night of freshman orientation, Phoebe runs into her high-school crush, Luke, who, that same night, breaks up with his high-school girlfriend, Abbey. Missed connections and almost-dates ensue between Luke and Phoebe, but their fireworks eventually burn fast and fierce, even though Luke is still off-and-on with Abbey. This story captures the central experiences of starting college—forming new friendships, making mistakes big and small, and riding out relationship dramas, from hookups to breakups. Luke and Phoebe are flawed and human: they try to be good friends to others but sometimes fall short; they long for love but mess things up along the way. Meanwhile, they live it up in college, joining the Quidditch team, and dancing and partying as much as possible. Luke’s ongoing dramas with Abbey make him the more frustrating character, leaving readers to fall harder for Phoebe in this entertaining novel about the first year of college. Ages 14–up. [em](June) [/em]