The Boyfriend Launcher

Gr 8 Up–High school junior Dru has relationship issues. A self-described “boyfriend launcher,” Dru hasn’t been able to keep a boyfriend for long, and every guy she’s broken up with has gone on to have a successful relationship. That’s why when Kai, her latest crush and fellow soccer superstar, asks her out, Dru demurs, making up a story that her team has sworn off dating until playoffs are over. After buying herself some time before the big date, Dru implores her best friend Winston for help. After some initial reluctance, Winston agrees to go through the ­motions of dating Dru to critique her girlfriend style. What follows is a classic ­fake-dating ­romance with plenty of heart. Long-standing tension with Dru’s high-achieving, much older sisters and warring factions within her soccer team heighten the drama. Dru’s character development is where the story shines. At the onset, Dru lacks self-confidence. She doesn’t see herself as leadership material, despite being­ ­cocaptain of the soccer team. She has trouble speaking her mind, preventing people from getting close to her. By the end, Dru is able to stand up to her domineering sister and have an ­honest, mature conversation with Kai. Winston sweetly s­upports her throughout. Although seasoned romance readers will see the ending coming, novices will enjoy Garrett’s (Promposal) cute, flirty tale of best friends whose ­relationship slowly evolves into something new. ­Principal ­characters are Black. ­