Review Detail

What I Liked: At first, I was a bit confused because Angela and Lynda didn't really read as rivals, they more so read as classmates who just don't know each other yet. As you read further into the book you catch a glimpse of how Lynda viewed her as a rival because of their differences in socioeconomic status. This was a different take on rivalry than I am familiar with, and it added a nuanced layer to the story as Lynda tries to navigate how she feels about this.

Given their rivalry, the romantic relationship that develops between Lynda and Angela is cute and fluffy. Lynda and Angela's initial meeting and bonding over the Otome game that Angela hires her for is a great setting for the two of them, especially as Lynda doesn't really understand the appeal of these games at the start. As Lynda begins creating for Angela, she starts to develop feelings for her which makes creating the art for the game something she is more eager to spend time on. The two of them easily fall into each other and understand each other. One of the aspects that stood out in the story is that Angela is demisexual and Lynda is asexual which is not representation seen in many stories. The asexual representation is done well and with care, as they have a discussion regarding this and also speak on how it has impacted previous relationships.

The relationships in this story carry a lot of nuances, throughout the book you witness the relationships that Lynda has with her family, friends, and with her girlfriend, Angela. There are several layers to unpack when examining the relationship that Lynda has with family and much of this comes from losing her mother to cancer when she was a child. When Lynda joins the family, you get a glimpse of what things are going to be like for her as Amy and Amy's family treat her as someone on the outside and she has to grapple with this.

Lynda struggles with the concept of grieving someone that she didn't know but who is an assumed important part of her life. The question is overlooked as Lynda doesn't want to dwell on the topic and barely begins to unravel her family's history as she begins to ask her dad for the truth. This ends up backfiring against her as Lynda believes that she can't give up on her dreams and she only has herself as support. Due to Lynda not allowing others close to her she also is unable to see things from other people's perspective causing others to back away from her. Lynda's refusal to think about other's perspectives is an accurate depiction of someone her age who doesn't understand why her point of view isn't the only way for things to work.

Along with the romance portion of this book, this book tackles some other topics that are heavy. Through Josie, we are able to see the ways in which parental pressure impacts children and how perfectionism can have a negative impact on someone. Lynda makes a comment regarding comparison being the thief of joy which is an accurate statement throughout this book as Josie is constantly being compared to others to the point that it takes a toll on her.

Final Verdict: Love Points to You is an endearing and exciting romance in which many of the characters are figuring out what they want for themselves outside of what others have pushed them into. This is a great book for young adults who are struggling to find what they want to do in the future or are trying to find their voice. If you enjoy romance books with a bit of teenage angst this is the perfect book for you.