Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples.
After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.
One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.
No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.
My Thoughts
When I first heard about The Break-Up Artist I was immediately intrigued. It sounded like such a fun read and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. While I wouldn't say this book was my favorite read of the year, I did have a lot of fun reading it.
If you there's a couple you want to break up, then Becca's your girl. Only she's known to her school as The Break-Up Artist and not by her true identity, which is probably for the best considering her line of work. For $100 via PayPal, she can break any couple you want, or at least she thinks so until she gets her hardest job to date, breaking up the most in love, adorable couple at her school, Huxley and Steve. And the kicker, Huxley used to be her best friend.
Becca was a very interesting character. At times I liked her and then other times I didn't. I can see why she thinks love is a facade and isn't real but does that constitute interfering with people's personal lives? At this point in my life, I would say no. But when I was in high school, I probably would have jumped at the chance to get back at someone who betrayed my friendship and my trust. That's not really my issue with her though, my main issue with Becca is what she does to her best friend, Val near the end of the book. Yes, she eventually sees the error of her ways and tries to make it right but, in my opinion it was still a crappy thing to do.
I really didn't like Ezra from the beginning, he just seemed like one of those guys that was only with someone until he got bored or something better came along. I don't want to give any spoilers so I'm not going to say if I was wrong or right about him, you'll just have to read the book to find out.
Overall, The Break-Up Artist was a very fun read and if you are in the mood for something light, then you should definitely give this one a try. I'm excited to see whether or not Becca will use her skills for something different in the next installment.
