Alex, Approximately

by Jenn Bennett

[Leigha]

You Got Mail meets The Philadelphia Story in this adorable young adult contemporary novel.

The sixteen-year-old girl in me is screaming, weeping, and squealing all at the same time. This novel is everything my heart desires – the perfect combination of character development, heartwarming romance, and atmospheric setting. Alex Porter and Mink Bailey are flawed characters, each struggling with their own traumas and uncertainties. Part of the novel’s charm is watching these two people grow into better version of themselves. I always understood their motivations, even if I didn’t agree with them. Their sardonic, often flirty banter gradually increases as the romance grows between the two. It’s such a super sweet romance it makes freshly baked chocolate chip cookies look like rocks.

The secondary characters are just as important as the main characters. The friendship developed between Bailey and Grace is one of my favorite aspects of the novel. We need more believable representations of #ladiessupportingladies. And didn’t you just cheer when Grace calls out Bailey’s behavior of putting Porter before their friendship? Romances are important, but so are friendships. The parents involvement in their children’s life is a refreshing change of pace too.

The sense of place is just as strong as the character development. Every single detail is precious, whether it’s the idealistic town square, the whimsical boardwalk, or the zany museum. It combines several ethnicities and cultures to create a multicultural landscape. It feels real and alive in a way most books do not. Do not be afraid, people – representation is present and accounted for in this novel.

Finally, I absolutely adore classic films. It’s been such a joy showing my husband some of my favorite film pieces, including The Philadelphia Story and Bringing Up Baby. This book was destined to be a joy to me because it included throw backs to one of my passions. I hope you take some time to look into these films if you’ve never seen them. You might be surprised.

tl;dr An adorable contemporary romance full of character growth, believable relationships, and classic movies.