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A Drama-Filled, Coming of Age Story
Five Ways to Fall Out of Love
Teen and YA Romance
Inkyard Press
March 16, 2021
ebook, hardcover
352
How do I hate thee? Let me count the ways…
Aubrey Cash learned the hard way not to rely on love. After all, Webster Casey, the new boy next door she'd been falling for all summer, stood her up at homecoming in front of everyone with no explanation. Proving her theory that love never lasts seems easy when she's faced with parents whose marriage is falling apart and a best friend who thinks every boy she dates is "the one." But when sparks fly with a boy who turns out to be Webster's cousin, and then Webster himself becomes her lab partner for the rest of senior year, Aubrey finds her theory—and her commitment to stay single—put to the test.
As she navigates the breakdown of her family, the consequences her cynicism has on her relationship with her best friend, and her own confusing but undeniable feelings for Webster, Aubrey has to ask herself: What really happened the night Webster stood her up? And if there are five ways to fall out of love…could there perhaps be even more ways to fall back in?
“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” —Dr. Seuss
Five Ways to Fall Out of Love by Emily Martin is the book equivalent of a television teen drama, but with more substance. Told through the eyes of main character Aubrey, Five Ways to Fall Out of Love is more of a coming of age, finding yourself book rather than a true YA romance, but still worth reading for those readers who adore some angst with their lessons in love.
I sincerely felt for Aubrey in this book. She might be considered a true cynic of love and relationships, but honestly, given what we come to find out about her past experiences with her parents and her run-in with boy next door, Webster, it’s hard not to sympathize with her. On the flip side, her cynicism does work against her and ultimately leads her into situations that both help her see new perspectives, but also hinders her growth in the relationships that she currently holds with her parents and her close friends.
That is one of the reasons I believe that Five Ways to Fall Out of Love is not what I consider a true romance, in that there really isn’t a Happily Ever After in a romantic sense. However, at the end of the book, Aubrey does gain a sense of self—which is why I consider this a great coming of age story. There is a lot to be said about trust and communication, and the lessons that Aubrey learns throughout the story are important for anyone in any stage of life.
While I was left feeling a bit disjointed at the abrupt ending of the book— I devoured it. Emily Martin is a really great storyteller, and the words flow on the page in a way that I was hard-pressed to leave the story. I highly recommend this for teens struggling with relationships, more mature young readers, or readers who just enjoy high school-aged teen stories.
Five Ways to Fall Out of Love by Emily Martin was a great story that had me invested until the very last page. Congrats to Emily Martin on this new release! Bee sure to look for the ebook and hardcover to go on sale next week!
Jes is a self-proclaimed bookworm, who recently moved from the PNW back to the Midwest. When her nose isn’t in a book, she’s spending time with her husband, two kids, and her three fur babies, or exploring the globe. She also firmly believes that you should start the day with coffee, and end the day in bed with a good book.
