How (Not) To Fall In Love by Lisa Brown Roberts

Published: February 3rd 2015

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.

Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone.

But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself…if she has the courage to follow it.

Initially I thought this story would be the cliché fluff of ‘popular girl loses her popular world’ sorta story. Boy, was I ever wrong! I was hooked on the style of prose. It was simple, yet engaging and engrossing for the reader. Some YA authors simply try too hard to cater to a younger audience by throwing in typical clichés every chapter. Lisa is confident in whom she is writing for, and doesn’t ‘try too hard’ to appeal–it comes natural. I think this is why the book targets a universal audience, rather than just YA readers.

Darcy’s self-help guru of a father goes from hero to zero overnight. Instead of staying by his wife and daughters side, he flees. This leaves Darcy stuck with her mother whom has developed more of a bond with alcohol than with her. At first Darcy wallows and throws herself a pity party. This made me immediately dislike her character, but she redeemed herself (thank goodness.)

After her uncle reaches out to her, she beings to learn what independence is and how the rest of the world functions. Bonding with her alternative lifestyle uncle opens up her eyes to the beauty in the world that she has always chosen to look past. In this new world she finds true friendship, love and the power of family coming together.

I loved that the story centred around family instead of being 100% about a teen romance. There are many lessons taught in this story and are delivered in a refreshing way.

Family is always first, whether it be the family you are born into or the family you create for yourself. Connecting with your roots is important and the story of Darcy and the bond she shares with her uncle is simply beautiful.

Instantly after reading this book I found the author on Instagram, and she has the most adorable posts.

Our lovely protagonist Darcy collects Salt/Pepper Shakers that were given to her by her estranged uncle every birthday. On Lisa’s Instagram, she has photos of the shakers mentioned in the book. It’s such a cute and creative idea, a nice touch to make readers smile.

Thank you, NetGalley for the review copy.