cover image Fun Fact: I Love You

Fun Fact: I Love You

Gina Lynn Larsen. Shadow Mountain, $19.99 (256p) ISBN 978-1-63993-245-0

First love, betrayal, and grief intertwine in Larsen’s swoony debut romance. High school senior Nellie Samsin can’t wait for graduation, which is only 10 days away. She’s spent all of high school solely focused on academics, leaving her little time for romance. Her best friend Britta is determined to not let Nellie graduate without having been kissed, so she orchestrates a scheme to have Nellie’s crush Sterling be her first. Nellie’s childhood friend Jensen, meanwhile, is enraged by Britta’s antics, especially since his crush on Nellie is so obvious it’s almost comical to him that Nellie hasn’t figured it out yet. Jensen even writes bestselling fantasy romance novels under the pseudonym Jen Dimes, born from his love for Nellie and secretly edited by Nellie’s father. A last-minute yearbook assignment between Nellie and Jensen ignites a spark between them, but complications, such as her father’s sudden death, threaten the teens’ budding relationship. In this sweet entry into the teen romance canon, Larsen utilizes high-intensity drama that puts Nellie and Jensen through the wringer. Yet, as the white-cued pair grow closer, their undeniable chemistry propels this amorous tale to a satisfyingly romantic resolution. Ages 13–17. (July)