Middle-Grade Review: What If You Fall For Me First by G.f. Miller

Sofia Santini is tired of being thought of as cute; it’s hard being a tiny 8th grader who looks like an elementary school student, especially when your clothes look like they come from the “girls 4-8 department of J.C. Penney’s” because your grandmother buys them. It’seven harder when you have a crush on someone like Mark Chen, who is cute and cool. Sofia also likes Mark because he was nice to hear when they were science partners, so when she sees him hanging out with Ashlyn, a “fierce” volleyball player, at the school dance, she’s crushed. She takes her frustration outside, where there’s some screaming and throwing of things… which is witnessed by the very cool Holden. He’s wealthy, working on his social media following, and also rather a jerk. Sofia knows this because he dated one of her friends, and things didn’t go well. Holden is surprisingly understanding and kind, though, and honest with Sofia about how she comes across to others. Sofia asks for his help in trying to become fierce. Holden tells her she is fine the way she is (except that she should stop apologizing all the time), but is willing to help her with a “glow up” if it helps him to gain followers and the attention of social media star Igo Big. Sofia’s single mother works hard as a yoga instructor and Uber driver, and struggles financially, but is always there for Sofia, but doesn’t understand Sofia’s need to navigate middle school differently. Holden offers to cut and color Sofia’s hair, and is glad to spend the money that his divorced parents fling at him to pay for supplies. It comes out surprisingly well, and makes Sofia feel better about herself. Holden is pleased with her honest reactions and thanks, and teaches her how to take a compliment without deflecting or apologizing. Sofia’s friends warn her against them, but since Destiny, Nina, and Eve (from Not if You Break Up With Me First) all were involved in a scuffle at the dance and have been spending time in In School Suspension and after school detention, she is seeing more of Holden than she sees of them. The scuffle involved Eve and Andrew’s break up, and the school is divided on whose side to take.