Flirty Little Secret

January 1, 2024

DEBUT Lucy Galindo is a well-loved guidance counselor at Harview High School, but due to her depression, anxiety, and ADHD, she feels as if she's ugly, barely tolerated, and a burden on those around her. She's been masking her struggles for years, even creating an anonymous persona online as @TheMissGuidedCounselor, where she sounds as if she has her life together--the exact opposite of how she actually feels. Aldrich Fletcher is the new (hot) history teacher at Harview, and he's having the worst first day ever. Fortunately, he can rely on DMs with @TheMissGuidedCounselor to cheer him up. They've never exchanged real names or even spoken on the phone, but to Fletcher, she's his best friend. Soon he needs her advice on asking out his school's guidance counselor, whom he can't get out of his mind. When Fletcher realizes that Lucy is his online friend, it changes everything. In this romantic comedy, the protagonists are incredibly realistic and relatable, Lucy's neurodivergence is treated sympathetically, and the story balances humor and emotional depth. VERDICT Unputdownable; will leave readers clamoring for more.--Heather Miller Cover

Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 29, 2024
Daily life for neurodivergent high school guidance counselor Lucy Galindo is an uphill battle in Lepe’s charming rom-com debut. Though she’s kind and caring, and has a loving family and friends and a job where she hopes to make a difference, Lucy struggles with self-confidence due to her depression, anxiety, and ADHD. She can only be truly herself through her secret online persona, @TheMissGuidedCounselor, offering bold advice to her followers. Meanwhile, Aldrich Fletcher, furious at his father for abandoning his wife of 34 years for his pregnant mistress, leaves the family money management business to pursue teaching. Unfortunately, Aldrich’s ex-girlfriend Georgia, who cheated on him with his own brother, also works at his new school. The bright spots in his days are fleeting moments with beautiful Lucy, who he meets cute when she accidentally burns him with tea, and his conversations with @TheMissGuidedCounselor, who he connects with via the anonymous handle @BravesGuy93. The romance plays out as a fresh, diverse twist on You’ve Got Mail, and it’s a joy to watch Lucy grow in confidence as she learns to incorporate her online persona into daily life. Fans of Abbott Elementary will be especially charmed. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon.

Starred review from January 15, 2024
A Massachusetts guidance counselor who runs an anonymous Instagram account and a history teacher searching for a fresh start find camaraderie--and more. School counselor Lucy Galindo has several secrets. The first is that she's living with anxiety and chronic depression, making frequent visits to an abandoned space behind the gym she calls "the cry closet." The second is that, under the name @TheMissGuidedCounselor, she runs a successful Instagram account that displays the confidence and self-assurance she lacks in her personal life. Aldrich Fletcher is Harview High School's new history teacher, and things are not going well; within minutes of his arrival at school, Lucy spills a very hot cup of tea directly on his crotch. More unfortunate things happen whenever Lucy is around, but Fletcher takes comfort in interacting online with @TheMissGuidedCounselor; for some reason, she knows just what it's like to be in his shoes and always offers the best advice. But virtual and real life soon collide as Fletcher figures out that the anonymous poster is Lucy, who in turn wonders whether she can trust someone with her secrets. Lucy and Fletcher's slow-burn romance provides an inviting mix of tropes. The portrayal of Lucy's depression is powerful and intimate, tapping in to the relatable experience of finding a community and a voice online when reality feels out of control. Lepe's carefully crafted note at the beginning gently warns readers that there will be depictions of mental health issues, microaggressions, and other sensitive content, all of which she handles with nuance and care. Her novel nails the balance between romantic comedy and authentic, tough experiences. The charming cast of characters, another bonus, includes Brodie, the Scottish physical education teacher who deserves a sequel of his own. This sparkling debut marks Lepe as a writer to watch when it comes to modern rom-coms.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.