This marks my first experience with a book by this author, and I anticipate it will not be my last. The appealing enemies-to-lovers trope and the intriguing Howl game initially motivated me to select this book for reading.
Today, she hates him. It’s the last day of senior year. Rowan Roth and Neil McNair have been bitter rivals in high school, clashing on test scores, student council elections, and even gym class pull-up contests. While Rowan, who secretly wants to write romance novels, is anxious about the future, she’d love to beat her infuriating nemesis one last time. Tonight, she puts up with him. When Neil is named valedictorian, Rowan has only one chance at Howl, a senior class game that takes them all over Seattle, a farewell tour of the city she loves. But after learning a group of seniors is out to get them, she and Neil reluctantly decide to team up until they’re the last players left—and then they’ll destroy each other. As Rowan spends more time with Neil, she realizes he’s much more than the awkward linguistics nerd she’s sparred with for the past four years. And, perhaps, this boy she claims to despise might be the boy of her dreams. Tomorrow…maybe she’s already fallen for him.
I appreciate that the entire narrative unfolds over just twenty-four hours, emphasizing that love can develop rapidly, even among academic rivals. I found it particularly engaging that Rowan and Neil collaborated to complete the list of activities. Furthermore, I admired how the story highlights the less touristy aspects of Seattle. Although I have only visited Seattle once, I wish I had been aware of some of the locations mentioned in the book, as they seem worth exploring.
As someone who is not Jewish, I initially lacked familiarity with certain rituals and customs, including the significance of Sabbath night. However, I found the representation of the Sabbath during the Howl scene with Rowan’s parents to be meaningful. Furthermore, I noted that her parents are authors of children’s books, which likely played a significant role in nurturing Rowan’s love for literature, even though she ultimately chose to pursue the romance genre.
In conclusion, while this book is not the author's debut work, it presents a delightful and lighthearted teen romance that is well worth reading. I was pleased to learn that a sequel was forthcoming after I began my reading experience. For those who appreciate enemies-to-lovers narratives or wish to explore the less touristy aspects of Seattle, this book is an excellent choice.
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