My New Crush Gave to Me

September 4, 2017
In a Christmas romance that reads somewhat like a contemporary Cyrano de Bergerac, junior Charlotte “Charlie” Donovan has everything planned—except getting dumped. She’s determined to find a new boyfriend before a friend’s big post-Christmas birthday bash, and she has her sights on smart, popular, and athletic Teo Ortiz. After rigging the school newspaper’s Secret Santa exchange, she tries to give Teo the perfect gifts, but getting close to him requires pulling strings and enlisting the help of his cousin J.D., whom she dismisses as irresponsible and annoying. Petroff cleverly plays on the “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during the Secret Santa gift-giving, though Charlotte’s petty rivalry with a classmate can turn grating. Readers will easily recognize which Ortiz is right for Charlie; the most meaningful change in her life is the realization that not everything can be planned and controlled. Ages 13–up. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary.

October 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-Charlotte Donovan, aka Charlie, knows what she wants for Christmas, and his name is Teo Ortiz. Teo is a star athlete and a member of the National Honor Society; he gets invited to every party and contributes to the school newspaper, of which Charlie just happens to be coeditor. He is exactly the kind of guy Charlie is looking for-but he barely knows she exists. Her plan is to rig the paper's Secret Santa exchange and win his heart with five perfect gifts. Problem is, she doesn't really know much about Teo, so she depends on the help of J.D., Teo's cousin. Charlie thinks that J.D. is the most annoying person on the planet because he is the exact opposite of her. But he knows what Teo wants, so she's stuck with him. This is a predictable, fluffy YA romantic comedy. Teens will be able to guess outcome of the plot within the first 10 pages. The characters are poorly developed and their dialogue is repetitive. VERDICT Not recommended.-Amy Caldera, Dripping Springs Middle School, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2017
Grades 7-10 Charlie Donovan is a perfectionist of the highest order, even when it comes to dating. With Christmasand the biggest party of the year, newly romance-themedapproaching, she sets her sights on Teo Ortiz: the complete, smart, athletic, popular package. Charlie's convinced that if she can find the right gifts, Teo will realize they're perfect for each other, so she rigs a Secret Santa exchange. There's just one problem: she doesn't actually know anything about Teo. Enter J. D., Teo's laidback and superdisorganized cousin. J. D. pushes all of Charlie's buttons, but he might know the way to Teo's heart, so she enlists his help. But the more time she spends with both boys, the more Charlie starts to question what she really wants. Petroff (Romeo and What's Her Name, 2017) offers up a frothy, Christmas-themed romance where what's perfect on paper may not always be what's right. Sure, there's little doubt as to where this is heading, but what romance fan will care? It's light as powdered sugar and just as sweet.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)