Review Detail

SHE GETS THE GIRL is a cute YA contemporary rom-com. Alex spends her time taking care of her alcoholic mother, making sure the bills are paid and she does not go back to her ex. Her childhood has taught her not to easily trust others. She is about to go to college with a plan to improve her life, and her girlfriend is about to go on tour and she is working up the courage to ask for a long-distance relationship when they have a big argument and things are said. She is going to come up with a plan to get her back by showing her she is serious.

Molly has been in love with Cora since they were freshman in high school - but Cora does not seem to know she exists. Now that they are at the same college, Molly wants to change things. Not only is she going to try to get the girl, but she is also determined to make some new friends. However, Alex, the girl who wants to help her, is not really the person she wants to know better. Molly cannot deny that she knows how to get girls though, so she reluctantly accepts her help. As they spend time together, they each learn more about who they are and what they want - which may not be who they originally thought.

What I loved: This was a really sweet and charming romantic comedy. I loved the connections they made with each other and some of the other characters, particularly Jim, who is Alex's boss. Alex and Molly are both really compelling characters, and they each develop more fully throughout the story. While each has a conflict with their mothers, they are much different in scope. Alex is trying to break the dependency her alcoholic mother has with her while also still caring about what happens to her mother. Molly's mother is dealing with generational trauma that causes her to reject parts of her heritage and leaves her children feeling conflicted. As they attend the college and spend time together, each will confront themselves and their own truths.

The romance was really sweet and built slowly. For the most part, they spent a lot of time getting to know each other with a heavy cover of friendship. That being said, it was easy to cheer for them to get together and to find their happy endings. The thought-provoking and powerful themes around family, race, alcohol abuse, friendship, and healthy romantic relationships really elevate this read into something highly riveting.

Final verdict: An engaging slow-burn rom-com, SHE GETS THE GIRL is a charming and compelling YA contemporary read. Recommend for fans of THE ONE TRUE ME AND YOU, WHAT IF IT'S US, and FRESH.