Sixteen-year-old Bethany Greene, though confident and self-assured, is what they call a late bloomer. She's never had a boyfriend, date, or first kiss. She's determined to change that, but after her crush turns her down cold for homecoming -- declaring her too inexperienced -- and all her backup ideas fall through, she cautiously agrees to go with her best friend's boyfriend, Jacob. A platonic date is better than no date, right? Until Saylor breaks up with said boyfriend. Dumped twice in just two months, Jacob Yeun wonders if he's the problem. After years hiding behind his camera and a shocking summer glow-up, he wasn't quite ready for all the attention, or to be someone's boyfriend. There are no guides for his particular circumstances, or for taking your ex's best friend to the dance. Why not make the best of an awkward situation? Bethany and Jacob decide to fake date for practice, building their confidence in matters of the heart. And it works -- guys are finally noticing Bethany. But things get complicated as their kissing sessions -- for research, of course! -- start to feel real. This arrangement was supposed to help them date other people, but what if their perfect match is right in front of them?

Ages 14 years and up. Razorbill.