learning a new language

Quinn knows how to use language. She has been on the top of the speech and debate team throughout her high school career. Sure, there was a little hiccup when Grayson transferred in. As the son of the governor, he has a lot of insider information about giving speeches. And while he’s good, Quinn thinks she’s better and uses the rage he induces in her to lift her game and compete even harder.

But she still has some areas where she needs some help. Like AP Government. So when her paper gets mixed up with another student’s (they were returned according to their student numbers, not their names), one who got a bright red A, she leaves a note of apology for shocking them with her bad grade. To her surprise, the other student writes back, and Quinn finds it quite easy to talk to the guy through the anonymous notes they keep leaving each other.

That being said, she still struggles to learn the language of Boys. It’s one thing when Grayson asks her to the fall dance at the last minute, and a shared kiss makes her wonder if the way he makes her so angry could mean something else. But when her childhood friend Carter starts acting like he has feelings for her too, Quinn is confused beyond belief.

Can she trust Grayson with her feelings, or is he just leading her on to confuse and confound her, so he can win the State Final at speech? If she tells the Carter the truth, that she doesn’t like him as more than a friend, will she lose him as a friend forever? And what about her anonymous note-writer? How do her feelings for him fit in with all the other feelings she’s struggling with?

Although she spends time with her best girl friend Naomi and her mother, Quinn knows that she ultimately has to figure out for herself what she’s feeling, what she wants, and what to do next.

How To Speak Boy is a sweet, charming ya rom com with a hint of You’ve Got Mail, some gut-wrenching insecurity (which totally took me back to high school!), lots of laughter, and a really big heart. Author Tiana Smith offers up a love letter to high school romance that is fun for all ages.

Galleys for How To Speak Boy were provided by Swoon Reads through Edelweiss, with many thanks.

snapshot 1.26

laying vs. lying