The Art of Lainey: Review

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is used to getting what she wants, and when her boyfriend Jason breaks up with her for no reason, what she wants is to win him back before the start of their senior year. Lainey and her friend Bianca check the interwebz for tips and tricks, but the online dating advice is all pretty lame.

Then the girls stumble across a copy of The Art of War. Didn't someone once say that love is a battlefield? Jason isn't going to stand a chance once Lainey and Bee go all Zhou Dynasty on him...

Old school strategy and subterfuge meet modern-day dramarama in the story of a girl who sets out to win at all costs and ends up discovering what's really worth fighting for.





How do I even start this review? I can't even form an articulate thought about what to say. Okay, starting over.
This book is the best contemporary I've read for a long time. There are multiple factors to why it's better than most contemps  I've read. So, guess what? I've decided to go the list route.

1.Lainey, the main character, is such a different character from most romances. Stokes decided to go the opposite direction most readers would expect of a romance: A popular girl and an unpopular boy. Just that should convince you to read it, if only for the new perception you get by the end of the book.


2.Snarky, fun, and awesome all packed into one. I'm one of those readers that adore snark in characters! It is basically what I thrive in, especially in contemps. Fortunately, these characters had a lot of snark packed into them. If you're into snark as well, I suggest you pick up a copy of this immediately!


3.Micah. Obviously, you new that this was coming. It's impossible to like a romance without liking the romance interest. In this case, Micah. Oh my, he is the definition of perfect. First of all, I loved that he doesn't let other people's opinions define him. Second of all, I loved that Micah is actually sensitive and caring underneath his punk outfit. Third of all, he's hot...in a bad boy way. I don't particularly like bad boys, but Stokes has officially changed my mind on that matter!

Yes, that is Zac Efron with a Mohawk. It is a perfect combination.

4.The side characters are also perfection incased.  Stokes nailed all of the side characters. Each of them were different and real. They just fit perfectly in this story. And, plus, I wish I had Lainey's friends that's how awesome they are.


5.The slow-burning romance is so cute and adorable. This contemporary definitely has a slow- build up romance(which is awesome by the way). Stokes really knew how to build up the romance from friends-to-romance status, while maintaining the realism throughout. There were struggles too, which only made it more realistic. There are snippets of romance through the book, but the climax didn't happen until towards the end. So then you're just kind of screeching in delight at the cuteness of the ending.


Overall, this book is just a perfect adorable book to read. Guys, just read it okay.