Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abby McDonald

Sadie has known that she and her best friend Garrett are meant to be together for two years now—she's just waiting for Garrett to realize it. But when he gets into a prestigious writing summer camp and all she has to look forward to is a job at a local coffee shop, Sadie decides that enough is enough. She is going to get over Garrett once and for all. With some help from friends new and old, Sadie puts herself through a twelve-step recovery process. But can you fall out of love with someone and still remain friends with him?

Getting Over Garrett Delaney is a delightfully funny read, and Sadie is a charming, plucky narrator. The heart of the story takes place in the coffee shop, Totally Wired, that many characters work and meet at, which is a fun and energetic setting with lots of eccentric characters. It's the stage for a lot of drama, the beginning and end of many relationships, and the site of a support group that Sadie leans on. Her twelve-step program is witty and simple, but it is pretty solid advice on McDonald's part. Sadie's personal growth is really the best part of this book—she slowly begins to embrace her own identity by shedding her carefully Garrett-tailored image, and deciding that it's okay to like popular books and movies because she likes them, not because they're things she feels she ought to like for their literary or culture value. She discovers that while it's important to be open-minded and try new things, you shouldn't change your tastes and preferences for the sake of a boy, a good lesson that bears repeating. There's just enough romance in this one to satisfy readers, but the dominant themes of friendship and independence prevail. McDonald has written a fun and humorous book that will be well-received by YA readers.

Cover Comments: The cover is what first attracted me to this book--I love the bright colors and the model's position on the cover--so cute!

Review copy purchased on Kindle.