Alex Blackwood and Molly Parker are freshmen at the University of Pittsburgh who share nothing in common except a history of romantic failure. Alex is a confident flirt who uses casual flings to hide the chaos of her personal life, while Molly is an anxious introvert fixated on a high school crush she has never actually spoken to. The two strike a bargain: Alex will coach Molly on how to attract her dream girl to prove she can be a reliable partner, while Molly helps Alex win back an ex-girlfriend. Their five-step plan involves social lessons, wardrobe changes, and orchestrated encounters on campus.
Teenagers and young adults who enjoy romantic comedies about the transition to college read this story for its focus on awkward social navigation and queer identity. The narrative shows how the pressure to maintain a specific image can prevent genuine connection. Readers observe how an unlikely alliance evolves into a partnership based on vulnerability rather than performance. They walk away with a perspective on how personal growth often requires abandoning a rigid plan in favor of an unplanned emotional connection.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
Insights from She Gets the Girl
“I’ve spent so much time being the person my mom needs me to be.”
Alex keeps people at a distance because she thinks her mom is her only responsibility. Watching her realize she can have a life of her own felt like a relief.
“I’ve been in love with the idea of her for five years.”
Molly is so obsessed with her high school crush that she almost misses the real person standing right there. It made me think about how much we project onto people we barely know.
The five-step plan to get the girl is honestly just a distraction. The real magic happens in the quiet moments between the steps when they stop performing.
“I can’t be the one to save her anymore.”
Seeing Alex struggle with her mom’s drinking felt so heavy and raw. It shows how hard it is to love someone who isn't ready to help themselves.
- Published
- 2022
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- ISBN
- 9781534493797
- Language
- EN
