Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart

December 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 Leo Martino is in love with love. But he's never had a boyfriend, and all his past crushes have wound up smashing his heart and crushing his self-esteem. At the beginning of his senior year, after his summer fling dismisses him humiliatingly, Leo comes up with a checklist to turn himself into the perfect boyfriend. Using his ex-crushes for intel and (sometimes) assistance, Leo molds himself into what he thinks an ideal boyfriend is. And though it seems to work at first, he soon realizes he may be losing sight of who he actually is and falling for someone who doesn't even like the real him. The book's message, that loving oneself is crucial to being loved by others, is delivered in a strong manner and may be uplifting to teen readers. Though many of the characters--especially Leo's ex-crushes--read like caricatures at times, Leo's voice is consistent, and his growth is satisfying. Geron's latest is full of shenanigans and big personalities.

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January 1, 2025

Gr 8 Up-High school senior Leo Martino has never had a boyfriend. He's had so many near romances that he's even created a scrapbook chronicling the heartbreak of each one. He's determined to be truly in love, even as he watches his parents' marriage fall apart. Leo is convinced that how he presents himself to the world must be the problem, so he sets out to recreate himself inside and out. With help from his best friends, Dillon and Varsha (who argue he is perfect as he is), Leo starts a "Boyfriend Material Checklist" by asking all his ex-crushes what made them walk away. As he begins conforming to what they want in a perfect boyfriend, Leo starts to become more popular, but also starts to anger his close friends and even starts to dislike himself. Then his biggest heartbreak Lincoln Chan wants to become close with him again. Geron's novel about learning to be true to yourself in a world where conformity is preferred is a definite bright spot for teens looking for stories where romance and the joy in self-expression battle it out. The angst is heartwrenching at times but expressed so well from a teen's perspective. Representations from all walks of life are implied in many of the characters; the bantering teenage dialogue throughout is current and makes the pages turn quickly. VERDICT This novel will resonate with voracious romance readers who look for that combination of heartbreak and joy in stories.-Maria Ramusevic

Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2024
A chronically single teen boy plans to turn himself into the perfect boyfriend--but finding love where he least expects it wasn't on his list. Six failed crushes have left Leonardo Martino feeling rejected and unlovable. With his senior year just beginning, he needs to work on realizing his First Great Love Story before graduation. So Leo creates the Boyfriend Material Checklist, which includes tasks to accomplish such as developing "a powerhouse presence" and getting "a glam glow-up." As he starts checking items off the list, people begin to take notice--including middle school best friend and crush Lincoln Chan, the Chinese American boy who ghosted him after eighth grade and who's now one of the Fierce Five, their school's social elite. White-presenting Leo's best friends, Dillon and Varsha, have mixed opinions on the checklist. Varsha thinks it could be a fun experiment while Dillon is eager to assure Leo that he's great the way he is. Leo's attempts to change himself put a strain on his relationship with both his besties, making it hard for him to open up about troubles he's having at home. Unfortunately, the lack of on-page development of some characters' relationships makes it difficult to believe in their stories. Similarly, Leo's motivations seem to oscillate throughout the story without clear explanation, which lessens his relatability as a lead. A relationship-driven story that suffers from underdeveloped characterization.(Romance. 14-18)

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