One Way or Another

September 1, 2020

Gr 7 Up-The walls of Paige Collin's bedroom are covered with travel posters. She imagines grand adventures that take her away from her small Arizona town. But Paige is unable to make decisions, large and small, leading to meltdowns as she minutely examines each new possibility. Luckily, she has great friends: Clover, who introduces her to the 8-ball app, which takes decision-making out of her hands by creating random choices; and Fitz, who guides her through the meltdowns. She is also madly in love with Fitz. Unfortunately, Fitz bounces from girl to girl, confirming that Paige has been relegated to best friend status. When opportunity knocks, providing Paige a choice of a holiday trip to New York with her mom or a visit to Fitz's family vacation home, she is stunned again by indecision. In one swift moment however, she slips on a wet floor, hitting her head, and suddenly the two possible scenarios play out. Told in alternating chapters, she goes on her trip to New York, and also heads up to Flagstaff for her visit with Fitz. Each scenario plays out to the end, providing Paige insight into her friendships, love, and the realization that the havoc her anxiety causes can be controlled with help. VERDICT Written in the rom-com style that Paige and Fitz love the most, this book will delight readers who love watching romance at work, knowing that the two protagonists are meant for each other, and wondering: Will they ever realize it?-Connie Williams, Petaluma P.L., CA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2020
One choice leads to two possible fates, each involving romance at Christmas. Arizonian Paige Collins struggles with making decisions because the voice in her head always thinks of the worst-case scenario. With Christmas just around the corner, she has to choose between a snowy mountain cabin getaway with her best friend, Fitz, or a trip to New York City with her mom. Paige is in love with Fitz, but she's also an aspiring travel writer, making each option enticing and terrifying. Just after using a magic eight ball app to make the decision for her, a slippery fall leads to split timelines exploring both options, taking a cue from Sliding Doors. Rom-com-loving, grand-gesture-making Fitz is single for once, so at the cabin Paige finally has the opportunity to share her feelings. In New York, she develops a crush on surly, philosophy-quoting Harrison. However, in both situations, her untreated anxiety threatens to ruin any chance of romance and a happy holiday. Paige's narration is endearing and authentic, negative thoughts and all. Her descriptions of anxiety and panic are spot-on, and she often uses grounding techniques to help her. Cliffhanger chapter endings maintain a brisk pace between each timeline all the way to the uplifting, hopeful ending. Both settings are filled with enchanting, romantic Christmas-related activities. Main characters are assumed White. An engaging combination of delightfully over-the-top Christmas swoons and realistic anxiety representation. (Romance. 12-18)

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October 15, 2020
Grades 7-10 It's nearly Christmas, and 17-year-old Paige needs to make a decision. Should she spend the holidays with her best friend (and longtime secret flame) Fitz and his family in their mountain cabin or tour New York City for a week with her mother? A high-school senior and aspiring travel writer, she longs to see the world outside Arizona, but her heart is like a compass needle, always pointing toward Fitz. Beset with anxieties and occasional panic attacks, Paige experiences that week in two alternate-universe first-person narratives, flipping from one to the other, chapter by chapter. Fate One records her adventures in New York, while Fate Two follows her to the mountain cabin. Throughout the novel, the dialogue flows well. McDowell creates a compelling portrayal of a young person immobilized by anxiety and panic disorders and lets readers know that help is available. At the same time, she offers an enjoyable story that consciously plays with the familiar trappings of rom-com holiday movies. A wry, amusing love story with one or two happy endings.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)