The Boyfriend Bracket by Kate Evangelista - OPTIONAL

The Boyfriend Bracket by Kate Evangelista, 228 pages. Swoon Reads (Macmillan), 2018. $17.

Language: R (46 swears, 1 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG:13 (talk of hook-ups, steamy kisses); Violence: G   

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Stella has had an impossible crush on her brother’s best friend Will forever. But now, both he and her brother have gone off to college and she’s determined to find a senior boyfriend without he brother there to scare every boy away. Her best friend and design buddy, Franklin, makes a boyfriend bracket, just like a sport’s bracket to help Stella make her decision for the ‘one.’ Stella starts dating the boys on the list, but things become complicated when Will admits he has feelings for Stella and that he doesn’t want her brother to know. Can they keep their feelings and their budding relationship a secret? 

The big brother’s best friend romantic trope has definitely been done before, what gives this rendition sparkle are the characters and their artistic dreams. Stella is a bit self-centered, but realizes it. Will portrays boys with feelings and fears. Franklin stole my heart and my sequins with his fabulous fashion and friendship. Using a sports bracket for boyfriends was a fresh spin on an old idea. I really liked how important family is to the characters and her mom’s Filipino cooking and traditions. A little predictable, but overall an enjoyable game…I mean read.   

Samantha, MA, MLS