Publishers Weekly
05/25/2015
Stella’s sister, Cara, has non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and is stuck in the hospital undergoing treatment. Stella and her brother, Drew (the siblings are triplets), visit Cara often and indulge their sister’s obsession with the Heartbreakers, a boy band à la One Direction. Even though neither Stella nor Drew cares about the band, they embark on a mission to get Cara the boys’ autographs. Stella is so lacking in knowledge about the Heartbreakers, she doesn’t realize it she when she meets Oliver Perry (the band’s equivalent of Harry Styles) at a Starbucks. Before long, the two are falling for each other. Novak (My Life with the Walter Boys) employs an array of misunderstandings and coincidental run-ins to throw her two romantic leads together and pull them apart (something Stella herself almost seems to be aware of: “How was it even possible to run into the same celebrity so many times in one day?” she wonders), while playing up the drama of the cancer-sick sister. First in a planned series, it’s a formulaic romantic fairy-tale, but that won’t stop Directioners and Beliebers from enjoying it. Ages 12–up. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"Swoon worthy! I fell in love with Oliver Perry so fast! This book is feels inducing...I loved every single page!" - Anna Todd, New York Times bestelling author of the After series
"Adorably romantic and fun! I loved it." - Kasie West, author of The Distance Between Us
"Fans of boy bands will be on this like tattoos on Harry Styles's chest." - Kirkus
"A fun summer romance that doesn't shy away from the deeper issues of family, illness, and self-discovery." - School Library Journal
"With lots of eye candy, this is the best kind of beach read — just enough bitter to make it extra sweet." - RT Book Reviews
School Library Journal
06/01/2015
Gr 9 Up—Stella has spent most of her high school years subsumed in the small world of her twin sister, Cara's, illness. Homeschooling and countless hours in hospitals did not give Stella much opportunity for a social life. She loves photography but has deferred a college program to be closer to home while Cara continues cancer treatment. On a road trip to Chicago with her brother and fellow triplet Drew, a cute stranger treats Stella to coffee. She and Drew are planning to get autographs from Cara's favorite band as the ultimate 18th birthday present. Unfamiliar with the group she is waiting in line to see, she is shocked to learn that the stranger from the coffee shop is Oliver Perry, the lead singer for "The Heartbreakers." Despite her disdain for the band's music, she and Drew wind up spending a crazy night with the boys who happen to be staying in the same hotel. Oliver leaves Stella with his phone number and the request to call him. Convinced that she won't see him again, she doesn't call and weeks pass before she is surprised by an interesting offer from the band's management. What ensues is a whirlwind of tough decisions, heartbreaks, and numerous adventures. The plot moves along at a compulsively readable pace, though the characters vary in complexity. The satisfying conclusion leaves the door open for a welcome sequel. VERDICT A fun summer romance that doesn't shy away from the deeper issues of family, illness, and self-discovery.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD
Kirkus Reviews
2015-05-12
It's been hard for Stella to concentrate on her life since her sister Cara was diagnosed with leukemia. Cara is gaga for the Heartbreakers, a hot four-boy band, but Stella thinks they are all fluff and no talent. Nonetheless, to surprise Cara for her birthday, Stella and their brother Drew (they're triplets) decide to drive overnight to attend the band's autograph signing. Upon arriving, bleary-eyed Stella hits a Starbucks, where a cute and sweetly flirty, blue-eyed boy strikes up a conversation. When Stella struggles to find money to pay, he plunks down $20 and leaves. Stella and Drew wait hours in line for Cara's autographs, but the band packs up right before they reach them—but not before Stella realizes that lead singer Oliver Perry is the boy from the coffee shop. One hotheaded encounter later, a relationship is born. Stella becomes conflicted about her feelings for Oliver; how can she justify thinking about him while her sister suffers? Novak creates a titillating tension between her leads; one moment, they're simpatico, the next, they're one cog tooth off. The predictable but pleasant romance offers touching moments as well as band high jinks featuring Jell-O and Silly String. Fans of boy bands will be on this like tattoos on Harry Styles' chest. (Fiction. 12-16)
