What an excellent book, picked up on a whim based on a recommendation from who knows where!
I’ll get one part out of the way first: this is how you do representation, people, take note. Irene Abraham is both desi (I think half) and Catholic (which is a thing!) and has a line where she shares that her grandparents are Keralites which explains both–if you’re desi, it’s a confirmation of what you guessed as soon as you saw her last name, if you’re not/not aware it’s an interesting bit of trivia for you. Irene isn’t the main POV character, but she’s not there as a token WOC to spice things up. She’s just a person, who happens to be (half?) desi, who has a main role in this story.
Otherwise, this is a really well written book that deals with perfectly normal, universal confusions that occur when you’re in high school and inexperienced. Scottie getting over her ex Tally and then not getting over her is beyond relatable even if it’s been mumblemumble years since you were in high school–the compulsion to check your phone, to message back, to try and get the last word in even when you know better and your friend knows better and the right thing to do is to move on. Even when there’s something much better in front of you!
Definitely on purpose, there are no one dimensional characters in this book. The seemingly airheaded Christmas store heiress is a ride or die friend and ally without question. The team captain and basketball all-star is also an academic powerhouse and is also wrestling with having feelings for a friend. Like Schitt’s Creek, this is a land of happy rainbows and minimal to no homophobia.
Is the ending arc a bit over the top? Duh. [How would a star starting player be allowed to not play for half a game to make a dramatic gesture?? Danielle, do not cut your friend that much slack.] But I highly recommend this book and I’m glad I picked it up!