queer can't buy me love

K​elly Quindlen "wow"ed readers with her YA queer novel resembling parts of the iconic 80's film, Can't Buy Me Love.

She Drives Me Crazy follows a high school senior after her long-term girlfriend broke up with her. The main character (MC), Scottie, is a basketball star on a losing team. After an incident where her nemesis backs into her car, the two girls develop a plan that helps both of them. A plan similar to the one made by Ronald and Cindy in Can't Buy Me Love.

I​rene needs money to pay for the expenses to fix her car. Scottie needs people to attend her basketball games and popularity to make her ex jealous. Scottie lends Irene the money she needs in exchange for Irene, a cheerleader, to fake date her and cheer at her games.

T​he school falls for this plan and everyone is fawning over the new queer couple at school. Scottie gains popularity and fans for her basketball games. But she also gains a new friend in Irene. This novel is funny and full of high-school agnst and all-around great. I especially appreciated the parts where the girls were able to work on themselves and put themselves first. That is not something we often see in YA novels.

I​ loved the tributes to classic rom-coms like Can't Buy Me Love, Say Anything, and Dirty Dancing. It made the novel that much better. Quindlen wrote the novel so well I couldn't put it down!

O​verall, this was a great novel. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an easy YA read. When you do read this fantastic book, try listening to the song "Somebody I Fucked Once" by Zolita while you do. The song provides great emotional angst that seems fitting with the book.

5​/5

- Cath