The Break-Up Artist
Philip Siegel
Hardcover, 329 pages
Expected publication: April 29th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
Recommendation Level: Would hesitate before recommending.
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
Review:
If I were rating just the first 1/4 of this book and the last 1/8 or so.....Then it would easily get a 4 star rating or higher. Unfortunately there was also the in-between.
Characters:::
Told in the point of view of Becca (AKA The Break Up Artist) you get a very cynical idea of love. After her sister gets jilted at the alter, she becomes a "love is not real" kind of person. The first 1/4 of the book reading in her point of view was great. I was enjoying her different quirks, and getting through different high school troubles. And then it all went downhill.
SPOILER ALERT!!! (You should be able to see the text if you highlight it)
(view spoiler)[Right around the time Becca kissed her BEST FRIENDS BOYFRIEND. And then proceeds to (almost) convince him to break up with her best friend. And instead go out with her. (Now remember this is someone who doesn't even believe in love. Just lust.) As a matter of fact, the best advice Becca gets the entire book is (I believe from Huxley) that a guy isn't worth breaking up Becca and her best friends relationship. So yes, after this I couldn't stand reading Becca's point of view. (hide spoiler)]
END SPOILER!!!
The end wrapped up well, I think I liked Becca a tiny bit better.
The Plot:::
I think that the idea behind the plot was really cute, and had a lot of originality. It was also set up well.
The very end of the book went by really fast, and I found it to be a bit confusing.
If it weren't for the middle of this book I would give it a high rating. And if it also weren't for Becca.
Would only recommend this book if you think you can stand Becca.
I received this as a digital galley from Harlequin Teen via Netgalley. I am in no way compensated for this review.
Have you read The Break-Up Artist? What did you think about it?
