4.5 stars — I was worried when I first started this book that it was going to be a silly book with all the wrong messages for young girls and relationships. Boy was I wrong. This rivalry turned romantic (favorite trope of mine) somehow wasn’t the best thing about this book. Woven into the story were discussions about feminism, sexism, religion, stereotyping, and more. Not only were the two characters funny and vibe off each other perfectly, but THEY COMMUNICATED. About feelings and what upset them and things they liked! With each other! In a healthy way!!! Obviously they had ups and downs — which made the book even more realistic — but the story didn’t use this to take the happily ever after approach (a theme in the book as well). You see the two characters slowly LEARN how to unpack the unhealthy assumptions they have about another person they know nothing about. It was a happy reality of finding young love and learning that sometimes our expectations of love can be too fantastical, but that realistic love can be just as magical. Quick blurb: I think one of my favorite messages woven into the story was that “smart girls can be sexy” and “dorky boys can be sexy”. A lot of media portrays that the two cannot co-exist, yet here we are…people are not so black and white as society wants them to be and that’s a good thing. I truly only docked 1/2 star because it took me a few chapters to get into the story and Rowan’s point of view. Once the dynamic duo get more page time together though, I was hooked and this book will have a sweet place in my heart and on my bookshelf.