
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to navigate the cynical aftershocks of a divorce or the awkward transition into a blended family. It is a sharp, humorous, and heartfelt story about two teens who bond over their shared experiences as 'children of divorce' while working at an airport hotel. While the central plot involves a bet and a growing romance, the deeper emotional core explores the fear of vulnerability and the difficulty of trusting others when your family foundation has shifted. It is highly appropriate for older teens, offering a realistic look at modern relationships and the way humor can be a defense mechanism for loneliness. Parents will appreciate how it validates the complex feelings of resentment and hope that come with family changes.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewSexual tension and references to physical intimacy; mostly non-explicit.
Occasional mentions of underage drinking at parties.
The book deals directly and secularly with the fallout of divorce. It addresses the feeling of being a 'pawn' in parental disputes and the discomfort of parents dating new people. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on the teens' agency in their own lives.
A 16-year-old who uses sarcasm as a shield and is currently navigating the introduction of a new step-parent or a change in living arrangements due to divorce.
Parents should be aware of some teenage partying, drinking, and sexual tension (mostly closed-door). The 'bet' trope may require a conversation about consent and honesty in dating. A parent might notice their teen being unusually observant or judgmental about the parent's new romantic interest or expressing a 'what is the point' attitude toward long-term relationships.
Younger teens (14) will focus on the humor and the 'enemies to lovers' romance. Older teens (17-18) will likely resonate more with the nuanced frustrations of managing adult emotions within a blended family.
Unlike many YA romances that focus on high school hallways, the airport hotel setting provides a unique liminal space that mirrors the characters' feelings of being 'between' families.
Bailey and Charlie first meet at an airport, where their initial interaction is prickly. A year later, they find themselves working together at the same hotel. Charlie makes a bet with a coworker that he can get the seemingly uninterested Bailey to go out with him. As they fake-date and spend time people-watching, they realize they share deep common ground regarding their parents' messy divorces and the cynicism that comes with it. The bet looms over their genuine connection, forcing a confrontation about honesty and emotional risk.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.