ashley_dang096 's review for:

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

5.0

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One robotics team, a girl who can’t decide her future, and a boy who knows exactly what his future is finally clash and sparks fly. Bel is terrified of the future, she’s been avoiding her college apps, zero extracurriculars, and just wants to get by but when a missing assignment lands her on the robotics team her life is about to get turned upside down. Cue, Mateo Luna, the captain of the robotics club, handsome, talented, rich, and a genius with his life planned out. Teo and Bel couldn’t be more different from each other but surprisingly Bel has a knack for design and Teo is set on winning the competition. Soon they find themselves arguing and slowly getting to know more about each other and surprising the other. Bel couldn’t care less while Teo cares too much, and maybe they’ll both even each other and teach each other something that the other needs. This was a super cute enemies- to- lovers romance with a great focus on girls of color in STEM, the idea of finding a place for yourself at your own pace and knowing your limits, and about first love and finding a balance in your life. This was seriously such a great read and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Bel is a great protagonist and as a girl of color myself who did join a robotics club in high school and had a giant fear of college apps and thinking about my future, her struggles were relatable and she didn’t take things standing. Bel was a wonderful protagonist to read from. Teo was a cute love interest, yes he can be a bit rude but he acknowledges his mistakes and he does try and do better, he’s dealing with a lot of pressure and feeling like he needs to live up to everyone’s expectations and when he finally meets someone who doesn’t want anything from him he’s confused and a little thrown by how blunt and weird Bel is. Together they make a sweet pair, they’re partners in building a robot and friends who support one another, and two people who just want to follow their passions.

*Thanks Netgalley and Holiday House for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*