Let's Talk About Love

From the Publisher:

Striking a perfect balance between heartfelt emotions and spot-on humor, this debut features a pop-culture enthusiast protagonist with an unforgettable voice sure to resonate with readers.

Alice had her whole summer planned. Nonstop all-you-can-eat buffets while marathoning her favorite TV shows (best friends totally included) with the smallest dash of adulting—working at the library to pay her share of the rent. The only thing missing from her perfect plan? Her girlfriend (who ended things when Alice confessed she's asexual). Alice is done with dating—no thank you, do not pass go, stick a fork in her, done.

But then Alice meets Takumi and she can’t stop thinking about him or the rom com-grade romance feels she did not ask for (uncertainty, butterflies, and swoons, oh my!).

When her blissful summer takes an unexpected turn and Takumi becomes her knight with a shiny library-employee badge (close enough), Alice has to decide if she’s willing to risk their friendship for a love that might not be reciprocated—or understood.

Claire Kann’s debut novel Let’s Talk About Love, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, gracefully explores the struggle with emerging adulthood and the complicated line between friendship and what it might mean to be something more.

My Thoughts:

As far as contemporary YA romance novels go, Alice is a typical protagonist - trying to find herself, battling some inner and outer demons (overbearing mother, ambitious and overprotective siblings, adulting growing pains and oh yes, asexuality). 

Add in the romance formula of YA: multicultural hottie love interest and this book will do well and probably get some movie folks calling some pitch meetings. The asexual, bi character (ace) that loves aesthetically beautiful people, loves to flirt, cuddle, kiss, snuggle, but does not want to have sex is a new character for the YA romance genre. Because of that I think it will attract readers. What I wish it had at the end, though, is more information or links so readers can explore more information about being asexual, even about how to talk about it to others. 

Besides that, saccharine, beautiful young people, enough money to be independent, and a handsome boy/man with a Japanese name who adores his nieces and is masculine enough to wear onesies and take part in a sobfest. . .winner combination.