SYNOPSIS:
Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly breaks up with her—no reasons, no warning, and in public no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to get Jason back.
And that’s when the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. With just one glance, they’re sure they can use the book to lure Jason back into Lainey’s arms. So Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous. After a few “dates”, it looks like her plan is going to work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to feel like more than just a game.
What’s a girl to do when what she wants is totally different from what she needs? How do you figure out the person you’re meant to be with, if you’re still figuring out the person you’re meant to be?
WHY SHOULD YOU CHECK IT OUT?
This one has been on our radar for a while. It will be shocking if the plotline veers from Lainey-ends-up-with-Micah, but it will be such an enjoyable ride no matter where she goes. And who knows! Maybe Lainey will realize she doesn’t need any guy to complete herself.
While the cover doesn’t exactly evoke taking The Art of War into a modern teen’s life, it is super cute. The hometown girl look leaves a distinct impression of what Lainey and her story are all about.
This is Paula Stokes’ debut, but it’s bound to be a fun one. And look for her Liars, Inc. coming next year!
EARLY REVIEWS SAY…
[A] satisfying and sweet story… (Publishers Weekly)
[A] modern mashup of classic teen movies … Lainey is a driven athlete who focuses on her passion, which is a refreshing change of pace from many other heroines in the romantic realistic fiction genre.
(School Library Journal)
NECESSARY DETAILS
YA Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
Published on May 20th 2014 by HarperTeen (ISBN 0062238426)
http://www.harperteen.com/books/Art-Lainey-Paula-Stokes/