The Romantics

September 19, 2016
Konen (The Last Time We Were Us) puts a twist on a typical teenage romantic comedy by making her narrator Love, the entity responsible for keeping everyone on track in matters of the heart. Currently, Love is attempting to put lovelorn high school senior Gael Brennan in the path of the right girl, Sammy Sutton. In a quirky narrative replete with entertaining footnotes and humor that befits a being who has seen it all (“Now let us return to Gael in his cocoon of despair”), Love provides background on Gael’s failed relationship with Anika (who hooks up with Gael’s best friend), his rebound with Cara (a serial monogamist who is clearly not the right girl), and how his parents’ relationship fell apart, all leading to a grand gesture to win Sammy’s heart (and, yes, there is an airport scene). Konen makes good use of numerous tropes of romantic comedy films, incorporating them into this light and utterly sweet read. Impressively, Konen treats her subject matter seriously while maintaining a playfulness that will keep readers engaged and rooting for Gael. Ages 13–up. Agent: Alloy Entertainment.