Hi, hello! I’d like to wish a very Happy Release Day to Rebecca Garner’s Dear Boyfriend…And Other High School Dilemmas. The long-awaited sequel to Why Won’t My Boobs Grow? is finally here! To celebrate, here’s a review based on the ARC I received for an honest review.
Rating: 5 Stars
Synopsis
The butterflies pick up their pace. I like that Andy isn’t trying to be coy. Like, he’s making it pretty clear that he’s into me. And I’m into that.
Emma Bishop is ready for a fresh start. She’s in high school now, afterall, so there’s no room for last year’s drama to follow her. She’s older and wiser, more confident, and determined to make this her best year yet.
In what might be the most exciting development of her life, Emma finally has a boyfriend. Andy is cute and nice and really likes her– what could go wrong? As it turns out, everything.
From sleepovers to high school dances, dreaming of her first boyfriend to having one glued to her side, Emma is excited, nervous, and most of all, confused. It doesn’t stop there though. She finds herself navigating dynamic shifts in her friend group, break-ups and make-ups, sibling relationships, and all the dilemmas that come with being a freshman in high school.
Dear Boyfriend… and Other High School Dilemmas is the second book in the Emma Bishop series by Rebecca Garner. These light-hearted, young adult books explore the realities of what it’s really like to be a teenager. Friendship, love, embarrassing moments, Emma experiences it all.
What I Enjoyed
Oh, Emma. Emma Bishop is back and has quite the Freshman year experience! Young Emma forever remains one of the most realistic literary teens I’ve seen in recent years. It’s easy to see why she’s a great friend and not the best friend simultaneously. Emma has this great character arc where she becomes a bit less self-centered and a bit more self-aware. It’s not easy being a teen and the main character of a book! But whenever Emma fails, she picks up the pieces. It’s so vindicating for older readers with similar high school experiences and a great example for younger readers. Emma’s greatest lesson is how to regulate her emotions and know when to trust her gut.
Cher and Ruby also return as incredibly thought-out and incredible besties. We could all use friends like them! These girls are juggling ups and downs of their own, and Garner does a splendid job of unfolding them throughout Emma’s perspective.
My Final Thoughts
Just like Garner’s first book, Emma’s world is rich with realistic drama, ups and downs of friendship, and honest navigations through modern matters like texting, ghosting, growing up too fast, inclusivity, comparison, and more. Readers young and young at heart are going to enjoy their stay back in the Emma Bishop series. Be careful of the big cliff-hanger at the end! I already can’t wait to see what else Garner has to share.
Hopefully, I shared enough to pique your curiosity. Want to get reading? If so, I highly recommend you find Rebecca Garner on social media:
If you want to check out my other book reviews, check out our Book Reviews tab. If you’d like me to review your book, you can contact us at witandtravesty@gmail.com. We might not be able to get to every ARC but we’ll do our best. Thank you in advance for understanding!
