Photo credit: bookriot.com
Book marketing often employs the concept of “comps,” which link new titles to established ones. Recently, there has been a rise in comparisons to the 2006 teen film John Tucker Must Die. The movie tells the story of three girls who realize they have been romantically involved with the same man, John Tucker, and subsequently plot their revenge. While the film’s impact may have faded, its premise remains influential. Here, I explore four sapphic young adult novels that reimagine this concept, enhancing it with romantic developments between the ex-girlfriends instead of mere revenge.
These recommendations span various genres, including contemporary, romance, fantasy, and even a vampire narrative. Each book approaches the themes of vengeance and past relationships uniquely—some with a serious tone and others with a more whimsical take. Each of these novels has been published within the last five years, with one new title debuting later this year. Feel free to share more sapphic YA titles with similar themes in the comments!
Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar (November 12)
This title directly references John Tucker Must Die, featuring Meghna and Rani, former best friends turned academic rivals. Their rivalry intensifies upon discovering that Meghna’s boyfriend, Zak, has been cheating on both of them. In retaliation, they aim to launch an app that exposes deceitful partners like Zak at the prestigious European Young Scientist Exhibition. However, as they collaborate on this plan, they both grapple with changing feelings that spark romantic interest rather than animosity.
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
This novel centers around a reality TV competition titled Second-Chance Romance, where participants vie for the attention of a wealthy ex. Skye aims to win back her former love, while Maya is determined to expose him as a manipulative cheater. As both women advance in the competition, they unexpectedly start to develop feelings for each other, complicating their initial motivations.
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
Ari, an autistic girl who struggles with communication, feels like an outsider in school despite her bold clothing choice. She becomes intrigued when the charismatic boy Luis pays attention to her, but after an intimate encounter, Ari questions the nature of their relationship. As rumors circulate, she finds solidarity with a group set on exposing Luis as a predator. Within this group, Ari develops feelings for Luis’s ex-girlfriend, culminating in a shared mission for justice.
The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl
This book features a tagline that boldly reads, “Getting over Your Vampire Ex is as Easy as Killing Him and Stealing His Girlfriend.” Holly, a vampire from the 1980s, has been compelled to follow her ex, Elton, who tires of her over time. Joined by his other exes, Holly plots to eliminate Elton before he can hurt another girl. As she gets to know his newest target, Parker, romantic feelings blossom, adding urgency to their mission.
These narratives showcase a delightful twist on the trope of romantic rivalry, as the protagonists’ relationships take unexpected turns towards love. The appeal of these stories lies in the rich character dynamics and the exploration of themes such as revenge and redemption. It will be interesting to see how this microgenre evolves and what new stories will emerge in the future.
Source
bookriot.com