Reviews - The Love Interest

The story and plot was so intriguing to me that I started reading this book soon after I received it from my book subscription box. This normally does not happen.

I really enjoyed Jenna, Joy and Blaze, and Meghan. I loved the superhero aspects. What I had a hard time was all the current politicalness. There was sooo much going on that I kept getting distracted and pulled out of the story. This was truly frustrating!

sometimes_iread's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

4.0

Superheroes really aren’t my usual fare when it comes to books, but I was intrigued by the premise of this book. Subverting tropes and a solid focus on the female experience is definitely up my alley, so it’s little wonder that I enjoyed this read immensely.

The Love Interest by Helen Comerford is set in a fictional town in a world gone rogue due to accelerated evolution. Think monstrous squirrels, supercharged light night storms, and humans with superpowers. Needless to say, with all the chaos, superheroes are required to save the day. When Jenna is saved by newly minted superhero Blaze, she is expected to become his love interest. The only fly in the ointment? She has no desire to play the role.

I enjoyed this read so much and kept giggling out loud at the littlest things. The obvious patriarchy of the superhero system was continually undermined by the characters’ attitudes and actions. From pompous showboating on the part of the superheroes, to disbelief on Jenna and her family’s part, it would be impossible to miss what Comerford wants us to think. Still, it was hilarious, so I didn’t mind how obvious the messaging was.

I appreciated the message of female empowerment as women owning what we already have. That certainly is a heartening message, albeit rather straightforward in the execution at the end. I don’t think patriarchy can be dismantled that easily just by toppling figureheads. Still, it was nice to imagine that the journey to equality could be this simple.

Characterization could be improved on, such as further exploring Jenna’s family’s views towards superheroes or giving side characters more depth. Still, it was a fun read and things zipped along nicely, perhaps because nothing was bogged down with details. Certainly a good palate cleanser!

Diversity meter:

Strong female characters

Black characters

josh14's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

gglasgow's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

4.5

chezzreads's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated

2.0

ayosfantasyreads's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

SLIGHT SPOLIERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Love Interest is a refreshing YA take on the superhero genre, blending romance, feminism, and self-discovery into a short but engaging comfort read. I loved how the book explored themes of patriarchy and power structures while still being a bit lighthearted and humorous. It mixes action and romance well, making for an nice easy fantasy/superhero romance read.

Jenna Ray’s journey was one of my favourite aspects of the book. I understood her reluctance to be seen as Blaze’s Love Interest, but her decision to become a double agent just to find her mother was frustrating at times. That said, it added an interesting layer to the story. From the start, I had a strong suspicion that her mother was actually the leader of the villains—especially with how her dad and sister seemed to be hiding something from her. So, when that twist was revealed, it wasn’t necessarily shocking, but it was still satisfying to see everything unfold. The flying scenes with Blaze, especially when Jenna accidentally used her powers, were some of the most entertaining moments—equal parts hilarious and exciting.

One of the things I enjoyed most was watching Jenna struggle against the expectations placed on her. She was a reluctant damsel in distress, refusing to fall in line with the status quo even as the world tried to push her into that role. Watching her get thrown into the spotlight, suddenly recognised by everyone, while stubbornly resisting the idea of playing the perfect Love Interest, made for some funny and satisfying moments.

I think what I enjoyed most, even though it was an unexpected element, was the representation of anxiety. As someone who struggles with really bad anxiety, it was both refreshing and deeply relatable to see Jenna navigating these experiences in a way that felt real. Her struggles, reactions, and emotions were portrayed with care, and that made her journey all the more personal to me.

I’d definitely recommend The Love Interest to anyone who enjoys stories with a mix of humour, action, and heartfelt moments. It’s a fun, engaging read that puts a unique spin on superhero tropes. If you’re a fan of The Boys this has a similar concept—just with less swearing and a lot less graphic content.

ironpissed's review against another edition

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adventurous funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

e_milyann's review against another edition

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3.0

i enjoyed the concept but the execution was weak

friedstars's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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