Estranged best friends agree to fake date after they each experience highly public, highly embarrassing, very viral break-ups. After a photo of June and Levi together also goes viral and the two are dubbed the “Revenge Exes,” they decide to use the public interest in their “relationship” to their advantage. June can use it as publicity, hoping to boost sales at her tea and scone shop, and Levi hopes photos of him with June will show his ex what she’s missing. 
 
But, here’s the catch, June was in love with Levi in high school. He just didn’t know it. And there are years of hurt between them. Can they keep things strictly platonic, or will emotions and history override the fake part of their relationship? 
 
A collection of random thoughts while reading: 
* Ooh, a small-town, seaside setting? Yes, please.
* I adore the banter between June and Levi.
* And the tension and buildup of their chemistry is 🔥.
* They both feel stuck and are used to putting others before themselves. I’m glad that they learn to take care of themselves through this journey together, too.
* Give me all the scones with a side of Pop Rocks and maybe some tea, too.
* Seriously, Emma Lord’s books always make me hungry.
* I want to follow an Instagram account dedicated to Mateo’s sweater vests. (Mateo is one of their friends and June’s soon-to-be brother-in-law.)
* The stories Levi created during their childhood - love, love, LOVE
* I really appreciate how Emma Lord portrays grief in this one. She shows that there can be mixed feelings about those that have passed away. People are fallible, and someone dying doesn’t magically make all the hurt and anger over things that they have done go away.
* Y’all, there are a lot of SQUEEEEEEE moments in this book. (Those make me giddy.)

So, here’s the thing: I ate up the first two-thirds of the book (with the exception of some things I didn’t love involving Levi’s ex), but then there was that tonal shift that can sometimes happen in the third act. I didn’t love that so much. But, overall, I do so adore Emma’s books, and I love June and Levi together. This is a strong adult debut. It still has that Emma Lord voice but with a decidedly more adult storyline and adult characters. I can’t wait to read what she writes next.
 
I received an advance copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.