Quick Thoughts: What's Not to Love by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

 

What's Not to Love

by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka

April 20, 2021

Goodreads Summary:

An academic enemies-to-lovers YA.

Since high school began, Alison Sanger and Ethan Molloy have competed on almost everything. AP classes, the school paper, community service, it never ends. If Alison could avoid Ethan until graduation, she would. Except, naturally, for two over-achieving seniors with their sights on valedictorian and Harvard, they share all the same classes and extracurriculars. So when their school’s principal assigns them the task of co-planning a previous class’s ten-year reunion, with the promise of a recommendation for Harvard if they do, Ethan and Alison are willing to endure one more activity together if it means beating the other out of the lead.

But with all this extra time spent in each other’s company, their rivalry begins to feel closer to friendship. And as tension between them builds, Alison fights the growing realization that the only thing she wants more than winning…is Ethan.

Review

I think bittersweet is the perfect word to describe What's Not to Love. The story starts off quite bitter but transforms into a sweet read. It was surprisingly thoughtful wherein I wish my younger self got to read it.

What I Liked:

- a nostalgic read

- the intense rivalry was entertaining

- Alison and Ethan

   - so much heat (of all varieties) between them

   - their unexpected explosive chemistry

   - the way their animosity easily turned into teasing

- an insightful exploration of sisterhood and friendship

- Alison's parents were very funny

- a meaningful lesson for high schoolers

- the story gave a smart feeling overall

The Not So Much:

- the excessive hostility between Alison and Ethan in the beginning made me question whether this really was a love story

- the mutual hatred went on for a bit too long

- the principal asking two students to plan a big budget high school reunion bit didn't feel very realistic

"No, smug. Satisfied is the fulfillment of community service or the humble pride of a day's hard work. Ethan looks smug." (p.75)