By the Book by Jasmine Guillory - ADVISABLE

By the Book by Jasmine Guillory, 320 pages. Hyperion Avenue, 2022. $16

Language: R (85 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (alludes to sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

25yo Isabelle takes a leap of faith when her boss is wrestling with getting a memoir out of a high profile client.  She is quickly on her way to California to meet with Beau, the handsome, but very grumpy author. Izzy inserts herself into the author’s reclusive life and together they work out ways to get Beau to do the work - and as he confronts the hard parts of his life, the sparks between Izzy and Beau also start to fly.

The references to Beauty and the Beast are nicely subtle, but still there for someone looking for a modern take on a fairy tale. While the characters are older, and sex is alluded to, everything is off page. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee - ADVISABLE

A Queen's Game (Queen's Game #1) by Katharine McGee, 355 pages. Random House, 2024. $21

Language: PG (11 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (intense kissing and non-descriptive sex); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In the late 1800’s, amidst the courts of Queen Victoria, three royal princesses  are trying to find their own destiny.  Alix is beautiful, shy and Queen Victoria's favorite granddaughter.  She is also prone to panic attacks, a secret she hopes to keep hidden.  Helene is the daughter of a banished French king.  She has a wild streak and does all the things a royal princess shouldn't do until she catches the eye of a powerful royal.  Lastly, there is May, who is living on the outskirts of court and is mostly invisible to everyone.  Her parents squandered their fortune so she knows she will have to do whatever is necessary to find a good match. All three are desperate to secure their futures, but in royal courts it is sometimes hard to tell if someone is friend or foe. All three princesses are in their early 20's.

The story takes place during the later years of Queen Victoria's life and includes actual historical figures, but it's more about romance and palace intrigue. It was a bit of a slow start setting up characters and events of the time, but it morphed into an intriguing story with secrets, misunderstandings, lying and blackmail.  I was surprised to find the characters so likeable and thought the author did a good job bringing historical figures alive.  I would have liked a more settled ending, but with a sequel, I'm sure there is more intrigue to come.   

The characters are mostly English or French.

RBenson - Librarian

The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - OPTIONAL

The Same Backward as Forward by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, 280 pages. Little Brown, 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (sex implied); Violence: murders and deaths mentioned, man thrown to dogs mentioned

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

20yo Hannah is waiting for the day that her sister Kaylie turns 18 and the two of them can leave their hometown forever. Before that day, however, Tobias Hawthorne and his entourage sweep into town and now Kaylie and the entourage are dead from the fire that also destroyed the Hawthorne island mansion.  Hannah is summoned by her friend Jackson, a hermit fisherman.  Jackson has rescued Tobias and Hannah is determined to nurse him back to health if only to make him live with his guilt the rest of his life. Tobias wakes up with amnesia and only knows what Hannah tells him - which includes a new name. As “Henry” and Hannah spend more time together, they are drawn closer.  But what will happen to their intimacy when “Henry” regains his memories?

Barnes gives as part of the story from Hannah’s point of view and then the reader flips the book over to get the same story, plus more, from Tobias’s point of view.  You should definitely read them in that order. While I am an un-fan of enemies to lovers, I did like the backstory about Henry and about Avery’s mother - and the events leading up to Avery inheriting the Hawthorne fortune.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Stuck Up and Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice - ADVISABLE

Stuck Up and Stupid by Angourie Rice and Kate Rice, 374 pages. Candlewick 2025. $19

Language: PG (48  swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (summer/winter relationship); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Lily loves her life on Pippa Beach, a tiny town in Australia, even though her mother is flighty and unreliable. Then one day a gorgeous Hollywood star, Dorian Khan, and his friends descend upon the town upending everything. While Dorian’s friend Casey seems smitten with Juliet, Lily’s cousin, Dorian is aloof - sure that everyone wants him around only for his fame. And Lily’s starstruck mother and younger sister don’t help matters.  No matter how much she tries to stay away from Dorian, even after his summer visit is over, Lily’s path continues to cross his - even in California - where Lily gets a hard introduction to life in the Hollywood spotlight.

The Rice’s take on Pride and Prejudice is pretty fun.  I think that students who don’t know the source material won’t be bothered by that - they will just enjoy the antics of the characters. I enjoyed the places where the authors strayed far from Austen’s plot the best. 

The characters cue white.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Lightyears Between Us by Shannon K. English - OPTIONAL

The Lightyears Between Us by Shannon K. English, 314 pages. Tiny Ghost Press, 2025. $24

Language: R (0 swears, 6  ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing, implied sex) ; Violence: G (none)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Will and Paige have been rivals since they first set eyes on each other in grade school. Will, as the heir apparent to her noble father, is most concerned with keeping the Eden Space Station of 3000 humans running safely and smoothly. This year is a fateful 25th year - the year 36 teens are chosen by lottery to pilot the Laika spaceships to check on the terraforming projects Earth started around the galaxy before everything went south. As a noble, Will might be exempt, but her rivalry with Paige spurs her to enter her name anyway.  Now she, with Paige as her co-sojourner, are one of the pairs being sent out on what most likely be a one-way mission. 

So hard to know what I can talk about without spoiling the book. English gives us a good mix of science fiction content and an enemies-to-lovers romance between the girls. I am not  a fan of that trope, but this mostly involves un-acknowledged yearnings on Will’s part (you never see the romance from Paige’s point of view).  I would hope there is going to be a sequel, as English leaves us on a giant cliff-hanger - giant enough that it made me angry.  But now I’m invested in the science fiction part of the plot. BTW - each one of the “f-words” was perfectly placed. 

According to the cover, Will is white and Paige is brown, but the only thing ethnic about Paige is her hair, which is constantly mentioned. 

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sophie Roberts courtesy of libro.fm

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

All My Bests by Britnee Meiser - ADVISABLE

All My Bests by Britnee Meiser, 372 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2024. $19

Language: PG (8 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (some kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

14yo Immie  and Jack  have been best friends since they were seven years old. But as freshman year begins, everything starts to change. Jack is consumed by soccer, while Immie makes new friends and sets out to uncover the truth about her father’s identity. As their lives pull them in different directions, unexpected feelings begin to grow between them—feelings neither of them knows how to talk about. With so much changing at once, will their friendship survive… or will they grow apart?

Overall, this is an enjoyable story about two kids trying to figure out life and their feelings—sometimes successfully, sometimes not. I especially liked how the book is told from Immie’s perspective in the first half and then shifts to Jack’s point of view in the second. Music plays a big role throughout the story, with each chapter tied to a favorite song of either Jack or Immie. Freshman year is a challenging time full of growth and firsts, and I appreciated how authentically the book captures that experience.

Both Jack and Immie are white. 

A. Snow, Librarian

Room to Breathe by Kasie West - ADVISABLE

Room to Breathe by Kasie West, 272 pages. Delacorte Romance (Random House), 2026. $13.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

Once best friends, Indy and Beau no longer talk to each other. Until they get locked in a bathroom after school on Friday. Avoiding each other is impossible in their new close quarters, and their school supplies can’t distract them the entire night from addressing the mistakes they made.

The short chapters flip from their current predicament to before their falling out and back again, letting readers watch the fallout as the aftermath is discussed. Indy’s story is about making both mistakes and amends. Although every reader’s situation might not turn out as well as Indy’s, there is hope in seeing that devastating changes in a life do not ruin every path forward. Even if an end to a period of difficulty is not ideal, we can choose to change and start a new period.

Indy and Caroline are described as White, Ava is described as Asian, and Beau is depicted as White on the cover. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs, partial nudity, kissing, and illegal activity.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew - ADVISABLE

An Ocean Apart by Jill Tew, 339 pages. Joy Revolution (Random), 2025. $20

Language: PG-13 (28 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Eden loves her Miami, which is falling apart and is easy prey for the Ministers, who are corporate overlords, billionaires, who rule the world through their “government”. Cruisers are the wealthy, who live permanently on luxury liners, taking from those stuck on land. Eden is determined to help her people survive, so when a contest is announced to pick the wife of Theo, the son of the Minister of Water, Eden is easily convinced to remake herself as Skye - a candidate perfect for Theo - and one more than willing to steal the Aquadictum fortune for redistribution to the people of the Marshes.

Think Selection series, but this protagonist has more skin in the game and is much more willing to manipulate what she has to in her desperate bid to save her people. Love triangle? Check. The characters cue white, though it does mention locs in “Skye’s” hair.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat - OPTIONAL

Love Craves Cardamom by Aashna Avachat, 296 pages. Joy Revolution (Penguin), 2025. $13

Language: R (53 swears, 1 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

12th grader Archi is spending the last semester of her senior year studying abroad in Rajasthan, India. Fresh off a breakup, she’s looking forward to a boy-free few months exploring the place where her parents grew up and diving into her dream museum internship. But things don’t go as planned: on her very first day, she meets an incredibly attractive guy on the train, Shiv, who, coincidentally, works in the palace gardens where her museum is located. As they explore the city together, Archi and Shiv fall for each other quickly. Meanwhile, Archi thrives at her internship, where she’s planning and curating her own exhibit highlighting art stolen through imperialism and colonialism.But Shiv is hiding a secret, and when the truth comes out, will Archi understand—or will everything fall apart?

This is a sweet, satisfying romance—but it’s more than just a love story. Through Archi’s adventures with Shiv and her roommate Mohini, we get a vivid glimpse of the city’s beauty and architecture. Her work at the museum highlights artwork stolen during British imperialism, adding depth and historical awareness to the plot. There are also thoughtful mentions of support for the Hijra community, a transgender and third-gender community in India. While the romance and Shiv’s secret are a bit predictable, the story remains a fun, clean, and thoroughly enjoyable international romance. This novel is also a companion to Love Requires Chocolate, which is set in Paris.

All of the characters are Indian or of Indian descent.

A. Snow, Librarian

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson - OPTIONAL

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson, 333 pages. McElderry (SImon), 2025. $21.

Language: R (61 swears, 4 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (passionate kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Ellis has worked hard to follow in her father’s NYC advertising footsteps, but her plans blow up when her mother announces that she is taking Ellis and going back to Bramble Falls to live with her sister for a while to have “some space”. Ellis goes, kicking and screaming, enrolling in a common high school instead of her NYC private school, angry at every one.  Except - there is something wonderful about a small town in the fall - especially one that embraces fall celebrations so whole-heartedly.  And there is something wonderful about a boy that Ellis spent a great summer with three years ago. Will Ellis make her way back to NYC, or has a small town and a small town boy captured her heart?

I really like that Ellis and Cooper don’t fall into insta-love and that they have issues to deal with right up to the end. It is a winner in my book - especially because the romance is limited to kissing, not two kids instantly falling into bed. Anyone who likes sweet romance and pumpkin spice everything will enjoy.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Every Borrowed Beat by Erin Stewart, - ESSENTIAL

Every Borrowed Beat by Erin Stewart, 352 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G (none)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

16yo Sydney Wells has spent years waiting on the transplant list for a new heart. Alongside her best friend Chloe, she created a blog called ""The List"" to share the raw realities of living with chronic illness and the endless wait for a second chance. Then, at last, the call comes—Sydney receives her new heart. But life after the transplant isn’t as simple as she imagined. She finds herself fixated on Mia, the girl who died so Sydney could live. Determined to learn everything about Mia, Sydney seeks out Mia’s best friend, Clayton. Together, they make a plan to honor Mia’s memory, but Sydney soon finds her feelings for Clayton growing stronger. Torn between her secret and her heart, she must decide whether to reveal the truth—or risk losing both Clayton and the fragile new life she’s been given."

I really liked this book! Through Sydney’s thoughts and feelings, you get to see what it’s like to go through the struggles and heartache of waiting for—and finally getting—a heart transplant. Even though the topic is serious, the author adds humor and a little bit of romance that make the story fun to read. I also liked how Sydney wasn’t sure if she should tell Clayton the truth, which made her feel real and relatable. Teens will definitely connect with Sydney while also learning what it’s like to face such a big life challenge. The story moves along smoothly and is easy to read—I think a lot of students will really enjoy it!

Sydney, Clayton, Chloe and Mia are all presumed to be white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

Say It Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher - OPTIONAL

Say It Out Loud by Ashley Schumacher, 352 pages. Del Ray (Random House), 2025. $19.

Language: R (100 swears, 23 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

At the end of her college career, Juniper ended up as a last-minute understudy for Juliet, playing opposite of James Freakin’ Neely—and it was simultaneously the best and worst experience. Ten years later, Juniper (32yo) is still trying to figure out what to do with her life, and she accidentally auditions to be the voice of Arabella in a dramatized audiobook—opposite, once again, of James Freakin’ Neely. Whether this is a repeat best and worst experience of the decade, at least she’s getting paid this time.

Schumacher is gifted at portraying the simultaneous and conflicting feelings of grief and hope in her characters—they are somehow sullen and tormented while still being relatable. The overall heavy feelings from Juniper’s and James’s anguish is offset by the humor of constant Twilight references. I did not realize until I was reading that this is Schumacher’s adult debut, and I enjoyed the story, but I was disappointed that having adult-aged characters also meant inserting a sex scene.

James is described as “fair skinned,” and Juniper is depicted as having a similar skin tone to James on the cover. Serena and Lenora are described as lesbian. The mature content rating is for kissing; mentions of drugs, alcohol, condoms, and pornography; innuendo; nudity; orgasms; and sex.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

His Mortal Demise by Vanessa Le - ADVISABLE

His Mortal Demise (The Last Bloodcarver #2) by Vanessa Le, 400 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan Children's), 2025. $16

Language: PG ( 9 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody gunshot wound)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

How much would you sacrifice for the one you love? When 19yo Nhika gives all of her strength and health to save Kochin from a fatal gunshot wound, she is on the verge of death. Unknown to Nhika, because she’s unconscious, Kochin takes her to her friends to keep her safe while he searches for a cure to bring her back. When Nhika wakes, Kochin is nowhere and the last she remembers is him dying after being shot. While Kochin searches for a way to heal Nhika, she searches for Kochin, retracing his steps. They both realize how much love they have for each other and will do anything to bring their relationship back together, if only war and danger doesn’t get in the way.

The alternating narratives of Nikha in the present and Kochin six months prior create suspense, especially since the last time they saw each other was when Nikha sacrificed her life to save his. Kochin is searching for a way to bring Nikha back and Nikha is trying to find Kochin and this makes a sweet love story. Wonderful character development.

The ethnicity consists of brown, honey and tanned skin tones and is Vietnamese-inspired.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

First Love Language by Stefany Valentine - ADVISABLE

First Love Language by Stefany Valentine, 300 pages. Penguin Workshop, 2020. $20

Language: PG (26 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Catie Carlson feels like she is living between two worlds. Adopted as a baby from Taiwan and raised by white parents in California, she knows almost nothing about where she came from, just that her birth mother left behind a name, a letter, and a whole lot of unanswered questions.

When her summer plans fall apart, Catie finds herself working at a bubble tea shop with Toby, a charming, goofy, slightly chaotic classmate.  He offers to teach her Mandarin so she can finally write to her birth mom.  In exchange, Catie has to teach Toby how to flirt and win back his ex.  What starts off as a deal turns into late-night talks, shared secrets, and maybe something a lot more complicated. As Catie reconnects with her heritage, faces family truths and falls for someone she never expected, she begins to learn that love, in any language, is never simple, but it might just be worth it.

I really enjoyed First Love Language.  It is a very heartfelt and relatable story that I liked because of its mix of humor, romance and real emotional depth.  Catie's journey to reconnect with her culture and figure out who she is could hit hard with readers if they have ever felt caught between identities.  I thought her relationship with Toby was cute and awkward in all the best ways and their fake-dating deal leads to some sweet and funny moments.

Catie is Taiwanese American and Toby is white.

Jessica Nelson CTHS Librarian

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen - ADVISABLE

Of Jade and Dragons (Fall of the Dragon #1) by Amber Chen, 480 pages. Viking (Penguin), 2024. $11

Language: PG-13 (17 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (gentle kissing); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO:  SEVERAL

18yo Ying witnessed her father’s murder and she’ll do anything and everything to avenge his death. She also wants to be an engineer like her father. She disguises herself as a boy and enters the engineering competition in the capital. Her sponsor ends up being a prince and she’s completely surprised by this. When Ying becomes part of the competition, she’s also thrown into politics and danger. Will she stay her course and avenge her father?

The names of the royals were confusing at first. I like the dynamics between Ying and Ye-yang. The science fiction and engineering aspects were fun and added an extra element to the story. The ethnicity is based on historical Oriental culture.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan - SEVERAL

Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan, 400 pages. HarperCollins, 2025 $22. 

Language: R (15 swears 2 'f'); Mature Content: PG (reference to having sex, kissing) Violence: PG (peril, threats) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

16yo Nell has been hired at the big house as a scullery maid. It's 1846 and the Irish potato famine is killing all the crops. The rich British land owners are not affected, but all the Irish are starving. Nell's income is barely keeping her family alive. Lord Wicken's heir has recently moved into the Big House, 17yo John Browning who has his sites set on Nell. He's kind and sweet and they both realize that their growing love is forbidden. 

A realistic depiction of the poverty and death experienced by the Irish. The contrast between the rich and the poor was heartbreaking. Sarah Crossen's novel in verse is a nice love story with some real emotion, enhanced by the free verse poems. Although histrocial fiction is not a favorite these days, I think I can easily hand sell it as a romance. Nell is Irish, Johnny is British. Both are white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Mint to Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc - ADVISABLE

Mint to Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc, 304 pages. Scholastic, OCTOBER 2025. $11 (pb)

Language: G (2 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G (light kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Aiden and Emma have been best friends since kindergarten.  Lately they have been having feelings for each other, but neither of them is willing to tell the other - they don;t want to ruin their friendship.  While Aiden is content in their small town, Emma has always wanted to travel.  When Emma is given a spot at a prestigious NYC boarding school for their senior year, she leaves without even saying goodbye to Aiden,  Now it is Christmas - Emma is back in town and she has brought along her boyfriend of the last six months - her first boyfriend ever, who is everything her small town and Aiden are not. And neither of the boys knows about the other.

A sweet, wholesome romance!  We never can have enough of those in our libraries. You can confidently share this with your Jenny Han fans. Cicatelli-Kuc has another romance based in Briar Glen - I am hoping it is as cute as this one.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan - OPTIONAL

Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan, 310 pages. Putnam (Penguin), 2025. $20. 

Language: R (104 swears 21 'f's); Mature Content: PG13 (mention of nipples, passionate kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

After crashing her boyfriend's expensive car while live streaming, 17yo Birdie is getting a wake-up call from her father. In order to bring her down to earth, he has hired his friend's daughter Cass, a lifeguard at the beach to "babysit" Birdie for the summer. Birdie has to work a menial labor job - she's now a parking attendant - and has been cut off from her own car, and all her social media. Birdie and Cass were friends when they were children, but are so far apart socially that they basic hate each other now - or do they? 

A sweet slow burn romance, I was afraid it was going to be more like "52 Reasons to Hate my Father" but I really liked that Birdie didn't turn out to be an incompetent rich girl. Cass has some great friends, and supportive parents. Birdie's friends and mother are a hot mess, which kept the story alive. I really enjoyed Summer Girls. The characters default white. 

Lisa Librarian 

Meet Me at Sunset by Lee Heart - ADVISABLE

Meet Me at Sunset by Lee Heart, 160 pages. Simon Spotlight, 2025. $8 (pb)

Content: G

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Julie is looking forward to a summer at the family beach house, but is not excited when her parents invite an acquaintance, Sophia, to come along. Julie had plans to catch the eye of her summer crush, James, and she drags Sophia into them. Cue a bit of relationship drama, changes of plans, and mild hijinks.

Very much a first crush book. Heart does a good job of keeping all of the relationships light - Julie and Sophia have misunderstandings, which do not become drag-out wars; the girls have crushes which do not become major make-out sessions. I applaud showing early relationships which do not need to become soap opera episodes. Plus it is such a great length for a middle grade book. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS 

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce - ADVISABLE

Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce, 336 pages. Random House, 2024. $13 (pb)

Language: PG-13 (44 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (light kissing); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

After the dramatic break-up with her best friend and D&D group, 16yo Quinn is ready for a fresh start when her family moves to be closer to her aging grandmother. While she quickly finds a new group, she also finds a very cute, very enticing boy in that group - which also has a no dating policy. Try as she might, Quinn can’t seem to stay away from Logan.

While also connected to gaming like Dungeons and Drama, Quinn’s story doesn’t have the same emotional power for me. I was irritated by her dithering, which did not read as romantic tension. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS