The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel Published by Harlequin Teen on April 29th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, YA, Young Adult
Goodreads
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.
I am a total sucker for anything contemporary and when I heard about The Break-Up Artist, I quickly jumped at the chance to read it. A book about a girl breaking up couples?! It sounded epic! Becca spends her free time breaking up couples. Her school is governed by the popular couples and those who are single have no place in the social world.
Now I know what you’re thinking, isn’t a school governed by couples somewhat ludicrous? What high school has this messed up system? Trust me, this book makes it make sense. In Becca’s school, the boys-girls ratio is skewed so that there are more girls than boys. Meaning that all girls who attempt to get a boyfriend are automatically placed at the head of the pack in social matters. For me, this actually kind of makes sense. I think this concept is so unique and it alone should make you interested in the book.
In terms of plot, I really enjoyed The Break-Up Artist. I loved reading all of Becca’s masterful plans, her best friend troubles and her grand scheme. In the book, Becca is attempting to break up ‘The Greatest Couple of All Time’ (according to her fellow classmates). It was awesome seeing all of her diabolical scheming and all the bumps and bruises that she got in the process. I also enjoyed all the side characters in the novel as well. Becca’s best friend is freakin’ awesome and her sister plays a huge role in the book. It was awesome reading about the powers of friendship and reading a YA novel with an actual family presence (although the parents aren’t that big of a part in the book compared to the sister).
With a book like The Break-Up Artist, romance is expected to play a huge part in the plot. Luckily, Becca was sometimes too busy to worry about finding her own romance. While there was some romance elements later in the book that might annoy some people, I loved the overall resolution and how everything played out.
Overall, if you’re looking for a unique contemporary novel with awesome friendships and great family dynamics, I highly recommend The Break-Up Artist! Seriously, if you love contemporary novels, PICK THIS ONE UP NOW!
