Loveless meets You’ve Got Mail in a charming YA romance centering two aspec (asexual and aromantic) teens at the heart of their own kind of love story.
Analeigh Tate has a plan: convince her parents that a musical theater degree is a serious career path and not a childish fantasy. Unfortunately, this means begging her perfect older sister Natasha for help, which, as expected, comes with strings: Analeigh has to prove she can get and keep a boyfriend for the next four months. She’s never cared about dating, partly because she fears no one will be interested in an asexual girl, but how hard could it be? She’s already guaranteed valedictorian since her academic nemesis Drew Eberstark left school the year before, so a boyfriend should be easy.
Drew is not keen on returning to school after his very public breakdown last year. But his grand comeback becomes ten times worse when he learns that his anonymous online best friend—who he just asked to meet in person—is none other than Analeigh Tate, a girl who hates his guts. Desperate not to lose his only friend, with whom he’s shared his uncertainty about identifying as asexual and aromantic, he comes up with a solution: offer to be her (fake) boyfriend. He already knows about Analeigh’s deal with her sister, so all he’s got to do is prove he’s worth her friendship—while keeping his true identity under wraps. So that’s not stressful or anything.
While Analeigh struggles with the fact that her once-mortal enemy is kind of amazing, the weight of family expectations, and the difficult feelings about her asexuality, Drew struggles with his growing web of lies and the grief he won’t talk about. When the truth finally comes to light, Analeigh and Drew will have to decide if their friendship is worth fighting for, and if there’s a happily ever after to their (not so typical) love story.
Coming April 20, 2027 from Wednesday Books!
PRAISE FOR NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE STORY:
"Incredibly heartwarming, full of teen angst, joy, and everything in between. Not Your Typical Love Story is a more-than-welcome addition to the growing canon of aromantic/asexual young adult fiction, and I dearly wish I’d had this as a teen myself." —Ann Zhao, bestselling author of Dear Wendy
"A triumph of authentic representation... delivers the rivals-to-lovers, fake-dating tropes readers adore while breaking new ground for ace and aro teens who deserve to see themselves centered in their own love stories... With dialogue that is both sharp and tender, Averett brilliantly illustrates how love stories featuring asexual characters are just as compelling, just as valid, and just as worthy of a happily ever after." —A.J. Sass, award winning author of Just Shy of Ordinary and Ellen Outside the Lines
"A deeply emotional debut about unconditional love, grief, and self-realization... Both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, C.R. Averett's novel is an affirming exploration of aroace identities, neurodivergency, and the meaning of love... A must-read story that is guaranteed to make you stay up all night reading—crying and smiling or maybe both at the same time." —L.V. Peñalba, author of Shapes of Love
“Heartfelt, smart and wholly original, Averett’s debut enlivens our favorite tropes with a resonant voice and a deeply felt exploration of identity. Analeigh and Drew’s romance is an emotional, necessary addition to the YA canon, and Not Your Typical Love Story is not to be missed.” —Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of Reese's Book Club Pick Heiress Takes All
"From the moment I opened this book, I knew it would be a meaningful one. Equal parts witty and poignant, clever and moving, Not Your Typical Love Story will be a shining addition to every young reader's bookshelf. Averett is a debut to watch!" —Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughter of Sparta trilogy and A Beautiful and Terrible Murder
“Not Your Typical Love Story extends a big hug to everyone who’s ever felt too ‘different’ to see themselves in a romcom. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be so grateful this book exists, because now kids like Analeigh and Drew—messy, big-hearted, brave—finally get to be seen. It’s a warm, inclusive love letter to all kinds of human connection.” —Michelle Quach, author of Not Here to Be Liked
“Beautifully honest and quietly funny, Not Your Typical Love Story delivers a heartfelt ode to unconventional love. This fresh addition to the YA space weaves a big-hearted coming-of-age tale where a-spec joy shines in every scene. Averett’s debut is an unputdownable gem that deserves a standing ovation!” —Sydney Langford, author of Someone to Daydream About
"Charming, smart, and refreshingly original, Not Your Typical Love Story redefines the romcom with warmth and wit. C.R. Averett delivers a heartfelt story about identity, friendship, and finding your version of happily ever after—one that will make readers laugh, ache, and feel deeply seen." —Erika J. Kendrick, author of Squad Goals
“Tender, heartfelt and fiercely joyous, Not Your Typical Love Story utterly enchanted me. This is a remarkably layered and propulsive debut, with a fresh twist on classic tropes, celebrations of platonic love in all its forms, and characters who walked straight off the page and into my heart. I never wanted it to end.” —Bori Cser, author of Mirrorwoven
“An untypical love story you’ll adore! Fun fake-dating, emotional quests of self-discovery, and characters who leap off the page, this should be added to every YA contemporary romance reader’s bookshelf... A heartwarming debut, especially for those who have not seen themselves before as the stars of a romance.” —Dana Swift, author of When Dealing with Dragons
“Impossible to put down and heart-warmingly beautiful, Not Your Typical Love Story offers a tender exploration of love through aspec perspectives. It’s the kind of book I wish I could have handed to my younger self—funny, heartbreaking, and meaningful.” —Lene D. Buttner, author of When Life Gives You Corpses
“Charming, propulsive, and just plain fun, Not Your Typical Love Story is a platonic romcom perfect for fans of Alice Oseman. An utter delight!” —Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished are the Stars