Description

Two girls embark on a summer of montage-worthy dates (with a few strings attached) in this hilarious and heartfelt LGBTQ+ lesbian rom-com that’s perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han.

Seventeen-year-old cynic Saoirse Clarke isn’t looking for a relationship. But when she meets mischievous Ruby, that rule goes right out the window. Sort of.

Because Ruby has a loophole in mind for their summer romance: a fake-dating agreement with all the best cliché movie montage dates, and a definite ending come fall—no broken hearts, no messy breakup. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters have fallen in love...for real.

Ciara Smyth’s debut is a delightful, multilayered YA rom-com and funny teen romance that will make you laugh, cry, and absolutely fall in love. 

What happens when a fake relationship starts to feel all too real?

  • Sapphic Romance: Cynic Saoirse isn’t looking for love, but she can’t say no to mischievous Ruby and her seemingly perfect, no-strings-attached plan.
  • Summer Fling: One summer of cliché movie montage dates—with a strict deadline. When fall comes, they walk away. No messy breakups, no broken hearts.
  • Grumpy x Sunshine: She’s a seventeen-year-old cynic who doesn’t believe in romance. The other is a mischievous girl with a loophole for every rule.
  • Coming of Age: A hilarious and heartfelt story about discovering that the best parts of love are the ones you can’t plan for.

About the author(s)

Ciara Smyth studied drama, teaching, and then social work at university. She thought she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She became a writer so she wouldn’t have to grow up. She enjoys jigging (verb: to complete a jigsaw puzzle), playing the violin badly, and having serious conversations with her pets. Ciara has lived in Belfast for over ten years and still doesn’t really know her way around. Visit her online at www.ciarasmyth.com.

Reviews

“A charming romp of a rom-com about the delights and terrors of falling in love. Saoirse is a heroine for the ages; she is smart, flawed, funny, and—when she lets her guard down—achingly vulnerable. This book will make your heart sing. Read it.” - Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret and This Time Will Be Different

“A slow-burn summer romance narrated by a beautifully snarky heroine who likes to pretend that she doesn’t have a heart of gold. This book was made for those endless-feeling summer nights.” - Aminah Mae Safi, author of Not the Girls You're Looking For and Tell Me How You Really Feel

“A snarky and sincere romp through meet-cutes and grand romantic gestures, this book is a must-read for fans of Becky Albertali and Morgan Matson.” - Ashley Poston, author of Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl

“A book that manages to be both tenderly gutting and absolutely hilarious. I want to be best friends with Saoirse Clarke.” - Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights

“A joyous, hilarious, big-hearted book with the kind of electric, rollicking voice that makes you want to live in its pages forever.” - Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee

“Everything I wanted and so much more. How refreshing to read about two girls who like girls who find each other in the perfect meet cute. You’ll want to read this one again and again.” - Jaye Robin Brown, author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit and The Meaning of Birds

“The romantic story all queer girls deserve: funny, flirty, and absolutely perfect.” - Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure

"A meet-cute in the style of Jenny Han, and just as sweet and cinematic as YA rom-com fans will expect." - Booklist

“Delightfully brash and no-nonsense. Pleasantly and audaciously fills a gap in queer romance.”


- Kirkus Reviews

? “An emotionally stirring queer romance with witty, playful dialogue.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Saoirse and Ruby set the standard for the genre of lesbian romantic comedy. A fun romance with substance.” - School Library Journal

More by Ciara Smyth

More LGBTQ+

More Romance

More Young Adult Fiction

More Dating & Sex

More Social Themes

More Europe

More Places

More Death, Grief, Bereavement

More Religious

More Religion & Faith

More Family

More Coming of Age

More Emotions & Feelings

More Contemporary