From the author of Aces Wild: A Heist, comes a hilarious and compassionate romantic comedy for fans of Casey McQuiston and Netflix’s “Love is Blind”!

Now that Wren Martin is student council president (on a technicality, but hey, it counts) he’s going to fix Rapture High. His first order of business: abolish the school’s annual Valentine’s Day dance, a drain on the school’s resources and general social nightmare—especially when you’re asexual.

His greatest opponent: Leo Reyes, vice president and all-around annoyingly perfect student. Leo has a solution to Wren’s budget problem—a sponsorship from Buddy, the anonymous “not a dating” app sweeping the nation. Now instead of a danceless senior year, Wren is in charge of the biggest dance Rapture High has ever seen. He’s even secretly signed up for the app. For research, of course.

But when Wren develops capital F-Feelings for his anonymous match, things spiral out of control. Wren decided a long time ago that dating while asexual wasn’t worth the hassle. With the big night rapidly approaching, he isn’t sure what will kill him first: the dance, his relationship drama or the growing realization that Leo’s perfect life might not be so perfect after all.

In an unforgettably quippy and endearingly chaotic voice, narrator Wren Martin explores the complexities of falling in love while asexual.

Wren Martin Ruins It All is a delightful journey through the ups and downs of high school life, narrated with wit and charm by the protagonist, Wren Martin. The writing style captured my attention from the start, with Wren’s endearing and self-deprecating musings making me smile throughout the book. Wren’s funny and chaotic inner voice and lots of activities in Rapture High School befit the title. The single point of view, centered on Wren, provides a rewarding reading experience, offering insights into his empathetic yet irritable personality. The supporting characters, especially Ryan and Ms. Little, add depth to the narrative.

The detailed exploration of romance and the genuine narration by Wren are highlights of the book. The anonymous chats on the Buddy app, though predictable at times, added a layer of intrigue and charm to the story. Wren’s journey as asexual was a crucial aspect, and the book portrayed the complexities of falling in love while navigating this identity. However, the only downside was the relatively inadequate attention given to the asexual side; the plot was also rushed in between the chapters. For instance in one chapter the time is September and the next one is in February already, four months later!, and at times, the romance felt a bit predictable.

The author did an impressive job portraying high school life and the challenges of coming out of the closet. Wren’s role as student council president (I did not quite get how his closest rival, Leo Reyes, became his deputy), his quirky lists of “reasons why” and the hilarious attempts to fix Rapture High made for an engaging and entertaining read.

Nonetheless, the book beautifully intertwines romance and Wren’s journey of self-discovery, including his handling of grief over his mother’s death. Despite my reservations, I found the book engaging, funny and heartwarming, making it a recommended read for high school students and teens seeking relatable stories about coming to terms with their identity and navigating relationships.

-Weldon Ngetich