We Can't Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on June 8 2021
Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction
A wedding harpist disillusioned with love and a hopeless romantic cater-waiter flirt and fight their way through a summer of weddings in this effervescent romantic comedy from the acclaimed author of Today Tonight Tomorrow.
Quinn Berkowitz and Tarek Mansour's families have been in business together for years: Quinn's parents are wedding planners, and Tarek's own a catering company. At the end of last summer, Quinn confessed her crush on him in the form of a rambling email--and then he left for college without a response.
Quinn has been dreading seeing him again almost as much as she dreads another summer playing the harp for her parents' weddings. When he shows up at the first wedding of the summer, looking cuter than ever after a year apart, they clash immediately. Tarek's always loved the grand gestures in weddings--the flashier, the better--while Quinn can't see them as anything but fake. Even as they can't seem to have one civil conversation, Quinn's thrown together with Tarek wedding after wedding, from performing a daring cake rescue to filling in for a missing bridesmaid and groomsman.
Quinn can't deny her feelings for him are still there, especially after she learns the truth about his silence, opens up about her own fears, and begins learning the art of harp-making from an enigmatic teacher.
Maybe love isn't the enemy after all--and maybe allowing herself to fall is the most honest thing Quinn's ever done.
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, this does not influence my thoughts on the book or this review.
I am a huge Rachel Lynn Solomon stan so I was so excited to read her latest YA novel. Thankfully, Solomon’s writing is as amazing as ever and I can add this lovely book to my recommend pile!
This novel stars Quinn, harp player and pessimist when it comes to romance (though she would prefer being called a realist). Her parents are wedding planners and Quinn has long become disillusioned to the idea of romance and commitment. Especially after a disastrous encounter with her family friend, Tarek, a year ago before he left for college. As the summer begins and Tarek returns, Quinn looks to her own future college plans as she has to figure out how her family’s business and a potential romance can exist in her life.
College age YA is starting to gain more popularity and I’m really enjoying that trend! Though Quinn was not the most perfect human, I really liked her characterization and the journey that she had in figuring out her future. The pressure of family expectations is definitely a theme I think most people can relate to, whether it comes to school or other factors.
I also felt it was refreshing that for a romance novel, the main character was pretty against romance! In trope terms, I guess this novel could be described as “grumpy heroine” and “sunshine hero” and I really enjoyed that dichotomy. I thought Tarek was written really well and I enjoyed that the characters had a definite chemistry that took place prior to the events in the book.
Overall, I think those looking for a YA novel that handles themes such as family expectations and starting college combined with a swoony romance will enjoy this one! And if you haven’t read Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books yet, I highly recommend that you read her entire backlist in addition to this book!
