Not Exactly a Love Story has been described as being similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I personally think a more accurate description is a mix of Back to the Future and A Cinderella Story. The writing was fluid and the characters were well-rounded, but not overbearing. The plotline progressed a little slowly for my taste, but was full of twists and surprises. I loved all the happy endings to the many plot threads woven into the main story. This is a great, feel-good book that I would recommend to teens (and older!) who would enjoy a cute love story along with some righteous high school redemption.
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Random House Children’s Books
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 2 religious exclamations; 5 mild obscenities; 1 derogatory name; 2 scatological words; 1 anatomical term; 2 F-word derivatives.
Violence/Gore: Mischief; threats to harm another character; 2 small bullying fistfights.
Sex/Nudity: Flirting; handholding; kissing; innuendos; talking about sex; a girl in her bra; boy brags about touching a girl’s breast (with clothes), no details.
Mature Subject Matter:
Divorce; Extra-marital affairs.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
Adults drinking beer.
