by Brooke Averick
Kirkus A 29-year-old with a “phobia of intimacy” is determined to lose her virginity in Averick’s debut novel. Phoebe Berman thinks there is something wrong with her. On paper, her life looks ideal: She has her dream job teaching pre-K, a supportive family, and a tightknit group of friends in Los Angeles. But as her 30th birthday approaches, Phoebe fixates on her lack of romantic experience—specifically, the fact that she’s still a virgin. Though she considers herself a lifelong romantic, intimacy has terrified Phoebe ever since a middle school incident turned a potential first kiss into a public disaster. So hyperorganized Phoebe does what she does best: She makes a list. Instead of following her therapist’s suggestion to catalog her accomplishments, she creates “Phoebe’s Guide to Losing Her Virginity in Thirty Days,” a checklist featuring tasks that range from “Redownload Hinge” to “Get drunk and make out with a stranger.” Phoebe soon finds herself torn between several romantic prospects, including Matthew, a former high school classmate with whom she shares her daily Wordle scores; Finn, the charming new fourth grade teacher at her school; and Jonathan, her longtime roommate and best friend of 12 years, with whom her parents always dreamed she’d end up. Throughout it all, Phoebe is forced to confront her fears and assumptions about love, intimacy, and herself. Averick’s writing is consistently funny and sharp, balancing comedy with emotional honesty. Phoebe is an intensely relatable main character whose kindness and vulnerability make her easy to root for. Filled with plot twists readers won’t see coming, the book is an irresistibly fun ride that also delivers a compassionate exploration of anxiety and the courage and self-acceptance needed to move through it. An affirming novel catering to all the anxious romantics out there. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission. Publishers Weekly Debut author Averick sparkles in this empowering rom-com. Pre-K teacher and romance novel lover Phoebe Berman is a few weeks away from her 30th birthday and despairing that she’s never had sex. Unfortunately, crippling social anxiety has left her terrified of dating, still traumatized by an unfortunate vomiting incident during her first kiss 17 years ago. Now, however, the chronic list maker creates a “Guide to Losing Her Virginity in Thirty Days,” encouraging herself to explore a range of scenarios for potentially meeting someone, from the cute (petting a dog and striking up a conversation with its attractive owner) to the last resort (advertising herself on Craigslist). Things seem to be looking up for Phoebe when school starts and she meets gorgeous new fourth-grade teacher Finn. But even as Finn appears to take an interest, Phoebe’s roommate and close friend, Jonathan, suddenly starts acting weird (could he be jealous?), and a former classmate, Matthew, with whom she once exchanged flirtatious text messages, unexpectedly reenters her life. Averick makes the romantic entanglements fun and surprising, and Phoebe’s personality—including her palpable and sensitively handled anxiety—leaps off the page. The result is smart, savvy, and irresistible. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved Book list Anxious, funny, and unexpectedly tender, this debut follows Phoebe Berman as she approaches her thirtieth birthday, still a virgin and increasingly convinced something is wrong with her. Dating triggers such intense physical anxiety that even getting through a meal can feel impossible, but Phoebe is determined to stop letting fear run her life. She creates a plan to finally have sex before her birthday, only to find herself juggling complicated feelings for three very different men: her longtime best friend Jonathan, a charming new coworker named Finn, and Matthew, a familiar figure from her past who represents unfinished business. As Phoebe navigates romantic missteps, therapy sessions, and a tight-knit group of friends who know her flaws and love her anyway, the novel balances laugh-out-loud moments with honest portrayals of intimacy, anxiety, and self-doubt. Averick gives Phoebe a full inner life beyond romance, allowing her growth to feel earned. With sharp humor, surprising turns, and a deeply empathetic heroine, Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It updates the spirit of classic rom-coms while centering vulnerability, mental health, and friendship. From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. |
