Week 15 Review: As If On Cue

From Goodreads:

A pair of fierce foes are forced to work together to save the arts at their school in this swoony YA enemies-to-lovers romance that fans of Jenny Han and Morgan Matson are sure to adore.

Lifelong rivals Natalie and Reid have never been on the same team. So when their school's art budget faces cutbacks, of course Natalie finds herself up against her nemesis once more. She's fighting to direct the school's first ever student-written play, but for her small production to get funding, the school's award-winning band will have to lose it. Reid's band. And he's got no intention of letting the show go on.

But when their rivalry turns into an all-out prank war that goes too far, Natalie and Reid have to face the music, resulting in the worst compromise: writing and directing a musical. Together. At least if they deliver a sold-out show, the school board will reconsider next year's band and theater budget. Everyone could win.

Except Natalie and Reid.

Because after spending their entire lives in competition, they have absolutely no idea how to be co-anything. And they certainly don't know how to deal with the feelings that are inexplicably, weirdly, definitely developing between them…

My Review:
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed reading about these two adversaries, and of the rivalry between them-that ends up with them co-directing a musical. I loved all the music and theatre stuff-along side their romance! It was really fun to read!

Natalie has a major rivals relationship with Reid-for her father's attention, she picked the clarinet. But then Reid also chooses it, and the practice sessions that she wanted with her dad become joined with Reid's. I love their formalized rules for the prank wars, though they were older, and maybe should've retired it sooner than they did-maybe all of this wouldn't have played out the way that it did.

I really enjoyed the way this was told, that periodically, we'd get a glimpse into their past, how they started the prank wars, and some of the unfortunate results from it, from a lot friend, to why she ultimately dropped clarinet.

Sometimes, I really felt bad for Natalie, she was in a hard position. But she just kept making some poor decisions. Like what she does the cause the final bit of conflict in this book. I was like, girl, have you not learned from your previous mistakes yet? Apparently not! It does work out, and she does learn, but yeah, it was a bit annoying to watch her make these mistakes! 

Thought to be fair, there were a lot of times were I wanted to shake her dad, he really wasn't seeing how much he wasn't getting his daughter. Sure, Reid's parents don't support him-but that doesn't mean that he should get everything that is between Natalie and Reid. I'm glad that he saw by the end, but there were so many frustrating moments! 

Really enjoyed this book, and I need to read more by Marissa Kanter! 

Author: Marisa Kanter
Read: April 13th, 2022
Source: Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Sounded really good, and it's a SAC 2022 Book and a Sophomore Challenge Book! 
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: September 21st 2021

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars