Review: The Break-Up Artist

Title: The Break-Up Artist

Author: Philip Siegel

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash.

Some work at the mall.

Becca Williamson breaks up couples.

Becca knows from experience the damage that love can do. After all, it was so-called love that turned Huxley from her childhood best friend into a social-world dictator, and love that left Becca's older sister devastated at the altar. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, Becca strikes back—for just one hundred dollars via PayPal, she will trick and manipulate any couple's relationship into smithereens. And with relationship zombies overrunning her school and treating single girls as if they're second-class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even Becca's best friend, Val, has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, Becca receives a mysterious offer to break up the most popular couple in school: Huxley and raw football team's star player, Steve. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date—starting rumors, sabotaging cell phones, breaking into cars...not to mention sneaking back into Huxley's good graces. All while fending off the inappropriate feelings she may or may not be having for Val's new boyfriend.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist would be easy.

My Thoughts

The idea of being a "break-up artist" honestly struck me as interesting when I first read it, but sadly the novel was a bit of a letdown for me. The plot was alright, but what really annoyed me was how all the characters were depicted as these shallow girls who only cared about having boyfriends. It's far from realistic and might even be received as insulting by some.

I didn't like Becca. She pretends like she's too good for love and is dead set on pushing it away and mocking the people who believe in it, but when she thinks she feels it, and for her best friend's boyfriend no less, it's suddenly okay? She and her sister Diane came off as self-righteous to me; I can't even count the times I found myself rolling my eyes at them, which was really a shame because the premise of The Break-Up Artist seemed so promising.

Maybe it's just not for me. It's not something I would go around recommending, but I guess if you don't mind dealing with the characters' pettiness (or if you happen not to find them petty at all), then it's not too bad a read.