The Darlings in Love by Melissa Kantor

Title: The Darlings in Love
Author: Melissa Kantor
Published by: Disney-Hyperion (Jan. 10, 2012)
Source: ARC Copy
Genre: YA
My Rating: 4 Stars

Goodreads Description:

The Darlings have just begun their second semester of ninth grade, and love is in the air. Victoria can hardly believe how perfect life is now that Jack is her boyfriend. Every moment they spend together seems to be better than the last. Meanwhile, Natalya is thrilled and a little nervous when her old crush, Colin, challenges her to a rematch of an unfinished chess game. Could he still like her too?

Jane can't help but feel a tad jealous of her two best friends’ exciting romantic prospects—even if she has sworn off love. Performing in a production of famous love scenes is just about the last thing she wants to do. But when Jane meets her acting partner—sweet, gorgeous Simon—she may just have to give love another chance.

Still, nothing about love is as simple as it seems. Victoria’s plan to surprise Jack with a romantic night out on Valentine’s Day goes disastrously wrong, and just when things start heating up between Natalya and Colin, Natalya discovers that Colin has been hiding something important from her. Even as Jane falls hard for Simon, she has to wonder: what if he’s too good to be true?

In the face of both joy and heartbreak, the Darlings know that they'll always have each other. Boys come and go, but the Darlings are still forever.

My Review:

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book and was pleasantly surprised to find that this story was really cute. While it is definitely YA, the three friends all being in high school still and all the teenage angst that goes with it, it was a fun read. I loved the bond between The Darlings. Their friendship was so real and down to Earth. I could completely relate to them and honestly, wanted to be a part of their inner circle, they were just that great.