Reviews

How to Win a Breakup: A Novel by Farah Heron

whatmadsreads's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.5

This was a fun YA! It's been a while since I read a YA romance and I'm so glad it was this one!

Things I liked:
-gossip girl vibes but much less toxic
-a boy who plays hockey AND bakes!
-a FMC who embraces her nerdiness
-really appreciated how quickly the initial "lie" was cleared up
-the friend group and the ways they communicated with each other
-every character at the shelter
-didn't see the twist about Daniel's family

Things I didn't love:
-not much honestly..wanted more time with them as a couple at the end
-in the audiobook the narrator read "IRL" as all the letters and every time it (at least 4x) it took me out of the story because I don't think people actually say that, they type it
-wanted more from the reveals about the gossip sight and the mystery video game friend

Overall, would recommend this if you're looking for a pretty cute fake dating YA romance!

vanessareadstoomuch's review against another edition

4.0

*3.75* this one was definitely cute. I’ve decided I very much enjoy Farah’s writing style. Daniel’s character in this book was so perfectly developed he had the best vibes. Love the diverse backgrounds that Farrah includes in her books. My only issue was that it was a little to YA for me (it’s a YA book though so that could be a me issue) and that drama dragged the plot a little too much for me.

paperdove's review against another edition

funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nibs_eb's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. I’m a fan of books that have the fake dating trope but I often find them predictable. This book was not predictable, I often found myself expecting one thing to happen, but then something else totally different did. I also like that the conflicts felt real. I never found myself saying that would never happen in real life, because it all felt very plausible. I also appreciated the diversity in the book. I will definitely be recommending this book to other people. It’s a cute and feel good read!

rdebner's review

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

creativelifeofliz's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

3.5

So much drama and teenage angst, but I enjoyed the friendships and seeing Samaya figure out what was actually important to her. 

hjb_128's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

scottonreads's review

4.0

I am on a bit of a YA kick, and when the books are this good I do not hate it! I am a big Farah
Heron fan, so I knew this one was going to be a delight. Big thanks to #netgalley and Skyscape for the ARC to read and review.

Samaya is a very smart, self-proclaimed nerd girl who is going through it as she enters her final year of high school. Her boyfriend broke up with her over the summer. Her parents and school counselors are on her to strengthen her resume for college applications. And the rumor mill is working overtime with the help of an anonymous Instagram account. Her exboyfriend has already started dating someone new. The only brightspot for Samaya outside of good friends Aimee and Cass is LostNight - someone who she games with but hasn't met IRL.

Samaya ends up volunteering at a local shelter, and it changes everything, especially meeting Daniel, her very cute co-volunteer.

I love a coming-of-age story that feels authentic - because teenage girls are messy, and often selfish. and Heron does such a great job in crafting her characters with this level of nuance. Were there times I was frustrated with Samaya? Sure, but it felt so real. Lord knows how frustrating I was as a teen! But this also delves deep into tough issues - socioeconomic status and classism, racism and homophobia.

I tore through this one, and when I finished had a big ol smile on my face. What a delight!

I will post this review on my bookstagram, @scottonreads, goodreads and retail sites.

smalltownbookmom's review against another edition

4.0

This was such a fun #ownvoices YA fake dating romance between a nerdy STEM girl and a hockey jock baker. Where do I even start with this one?? I'm a huge Farah Heron fan and this latest YA love story was a pure delight!

From the Toronto setting, the math-smart, gamer girl protagonist, the great baking adventures and the diverse cast of characters. I really enjoyed Samaya and her fake boyfriend Daniel's opposites attract romance as she tries to move on from her ex and prove she's 'winning' their breakup.

Perfect for fans of books like Love, decoded by Jennifer Yen or My mechanical romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth and great on audio narrated by one of my favs, Soneela Nankani. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

shavon713's review against another edition

3.0

Samaya, self proclaimed gamer and nerd, gets dumped by her high school sweetheart and not only does he dump her, he ruins her summer volunteering position she needs for college applications. With a Gossip Girl spin, their high school’s gossip page is broadcasting their whole breakup and life after. Samaya’s world is turned upside down when she meets Daniel at the shelter she volunteers at.

A YA novel with friendship, homelessness, gaming, and LGBT characters infused seamlessly, it wasn’t the most realistic plot but it was engaging and not your typical focus!