If you're a sucker for the friends-to-lovers or fake-dating trope, this book is right up your alley! 'Dating Sarah Cooper' is a sweet YA romance that captures the messy, heartfelt confusion of figuring out feelings, with plenty of humor and emotional moments. The relationship between Katie and Sarah feels genuine, and the story does a thoughtful job touching on coming out, friendship, and family, making it relatable for LGBTQ teens and anyone who enjoys feel-good, character-driven stories with snappy dialogue.

Who May Not Like This Book:

If predictability in romances bugs you or if you prefer densely fleshed-out side characters and complex plotlines, this book may not hit the mark. The writing style can sometimes feel a bit awkward or simplistic, and the club of well-worn romcom clichés might be too much for readers seeking something fresh or literary. Some found the setup a bit far-fetched, and a few felt the story skimmed over deeper character exploration and important issues.

A cozy, trope-filled romcom with heart - perfect if you're in the mood for a quick, fun read about fake dating, friendship, and self-discovery, even if it's not the most original story out there.

About:

'Dating Sarah Cooper' by Siera Maley follows the story of high school seniors, Sarah and Katie, who have been best friends since kindergarten. When they are mistaken for a couple at a gay club, Sarah sees an opportunity to gain attention from a crush by pretending to be in a relationship with Katie. The book explores their journey of fake dating, friendship turning into love, coming out, and dealing with the challenges of high school life in a small Georgia town. Despite some clichés and predictable plot points, the story is engaging and heartwarming, with a focus on the dynamics between the main characters and their evolving relationship.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, focusing on their chemistry, personal struggles, and supportive roles that enhance the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is simple and straightforward, engaging the reader despite some technical shortcomings.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot involves a predictable narrative arc with significant emotional depth, touching on themes of friendship, love, and LGBTQ representation.

Setting:

The setting is a small town in Georgia, contributing to the relatable high school backdrop of the story.

Pacing:

The pacing is largely effective, though some areas could benefit from deeper exploration.

Everything came to a head on the night of our school’s Winter Formal, ironically. I guess I should’ve expected it, given that the plot of every teen movie ever seems to build into a climax that falls ...

Notes:

The book focuses on the emotional moments and character growth of the protagonist, Katie.

Katie struggles to understand her best friend Sarah's true feelings due to her own confusion.

Katie's parents react realistically to their daughter's realization of her sexuality, which resonates with many LGBTQ teens' experiences.

An awkward scene involving pets provides both humor and emotional depth to the story.

The main characters, Katie and Sarah, have been best friends since kindergarten and are often mistaken for a couple.

The plot involves a fake dating scenario where the girls pretend to be a lesbian couple, leading to unexpected feelings.

Katie's initial relationship with her ex, Austin, is portrayed as pressured and lacking real affection.

The story critiques media representations of lesbian relationships, highlighting the need for positive portrayals.

Despite predictable elements, the story is described as enjoyable and engaging, with characters readers can care about.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of alcohol use and self-image issues, particularly relating to characters' struggles with self-identity.

Has Romance?

There is a high level of romance present in the book, characterized by emotional tension and romance development between the main characters.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Katie Hammontree and Sarah Cooper have been best friends since the 2nd grade. Katie's welcoming, tight-knit family is a convenient substitute for Sarah when her distant parents aren't around, and Sarah's abrasive, goal-oriented personality gels well with Katie's more laid-back approach to life.But when a misunderstanding leads to the two of them being mistaken for a couple and Sarah uses the situation to her advantage, Katie finds herself on a roller coaster ride of ambiguous sexuality and confusing feelings. How far will Sarah go to keep up the charade, and why does kissing her make Katie feel more alive than kissing her ex-boyfriend Austin ever did? And how will their new circle of gay friends react when the truth comes out?

July 2014

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268 pages

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (8):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (3)

What can you read after
Dating Sarah Cooper?

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About the Author:

Siera Maley was born and raised in the southern Bible Belt, where there wasn't much room for open-mindedness or diversity. After coming out as a lesbian as a teen, she relocated to a more suburban area and is now working on a four-year degree while living with her girlfriend and very adorable dog.

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Dating Sarah Cooper

Siera Maley

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