Lainey Mitchell, stunning soccer star, is thrilled to spend a summer with her hot, long-term boyfriend, Jason. When he randomly decides to break up with her (in her own parents' coffee shop), her plans go out the window. Now, she's heartbroken and mad and wants him back more than anything. When Lainey and her best friend, Bianca, find a copy of The Art of War, Lainey knows she has found the key to getting Jason, which includes pretending to date kitchen cook, Micah. As Lainey and Micah fake dates, she realizes that getting Jason back might not be so important if it means not getting to spend time with Micah anymore.

When it comes to movies, I am a sucker for romantic comedies. THE ART OF LAINEY by Paula Stokes is the perfect book version of everything romantic comedies hold: laughter, romance, delightful quirkiness, and a wonderful concept. It has a light-heartedness that makes it full of entertainment and fun, but it also has a nice depth that makes you wonder what can happen if you let go of some of the limitations you've put on yourself like Lainey does.

As fun as the concept of this story is, the characters are really what make it soar. Lainey has her flaws, but she has such a good heart. Micah is a closet sweetheart, and I love how Lainey and him flow together so well. They are both 100% adorable and have great secondary characters framing them, especially Bianca and Leo who are super cute.

Overall, if you love movies like Clueless or Ten Things I Hate About You, then THE ART OF LAINEY should definitely be on your to-read this. I would also especially recommend this for reluctant readers with its wonderful humor and quick pacing.

Book Summary

To win back the one she loves, she'll have to go to "war."

Soccer star Lainey Mitchell is gearing up to spend an epic

summer with her amazing boyfriend, Jason, when he suddenly

breaks up with her—no reasons, no warnings, and in public

no less! Lainey is more than crushed, but with help from

her friend Bianca, she resolves to do whatever it takes to

get Jason back.

And that's when Lainey and Bianca stumble across a copy of

The Art of War. The girls are sure they can use the

military handbook to lure Jason back into Lainey's arms. So

Lainey channels her inner warlord, recruiting spies to

gather intel and persuading her coworker Micah to pose as

her new boyfriend to make Jason jealous.

After a few "dates," it looks like her plan is going to

work! But now her relationship with Micah is starting to

feel like more than just a game. Can fighting for what she

wants help Lainey find what she really needs?