3.75 stars
How to be the Best Third Wheel is a cutesy rom-com. It was a quick read for me and I managed to finish it in a day. I loved the representation in this book; it had a very diverse cast which made me really happy. The humor in the book is also written really and there were moments where I burst out laughing. The main character, Lara was so relatable and kind of reminded me of myself back in high school.
Unfortunately though, the writing style used felt a little strange and kinda stilted. Some of the dialogue was a little unrealistic, especially for high schoolers. And also, the story kind of reminded me of early 2015 YA contemporaries with some of the plotlines. While the book does have some issues, I think it captures the uncertainty of deciding your future really well and as someone who is in the middle of that, it just hit home.

Teenage years are hard, and much harder when you feel you are tackling them on your own. Lara comes back after spending the summer visiting her family in the Philippines.
When she comes back to start her last year of high school, she learns that her three best friends are now in relationships. This book follows Lara as she navigates a messy senior year that is turning out to be nothing like what she expected.
Besides a few cringe worthy moments, this was an enjoyable, easy, and cute read.

I have never wanted to throw a book across the room before, but I seriously felt the urge while reading this one…which is bad because I was reading it as a digital galley on my iPad. The author delivers as promised with her warning on the first page that she cannot be held responsible for damage from face palms and book throwing. This story has all the angst of a kDrama. Just when you think it is done, you get pulled in again. I really hope there is a book two in the works.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick read, it wasn’t long and it was cute. It wasn’t my typical story but, I enjoyed reading it. The writing and the overall story was adorable.

*3.5 stars rounded down

This book pleasantly surprised me. I expected it to be entertaining at the very least, but I really liked it!
While I did think the characters were very “over the top teen,” I did think that they were relatable besides that. I liked Lara’s inner turmoil over knowing exactly what she wanted but not knowing if she could do it. There was some great development between the various friendships and relationships, but they did all start at ROCK BOTTOM. I was so surprised at how mature and healthy the ending of the book was since I rarely see anything like that in romance novels, but I liked it!
For the bad, it was really just that I thought it was cringy. Do I relate to James using Desmos instead of learning graph patterns? Hell yeah. But most of the other teen stuff was kind of weird. They were all so enthusiastic, but in a romcom way, not a passionate teen way. I also HATED the way everyone treated Lara. I understand that it was the point, but her friends were horrible in ditching her at every turn to be with their boyfriends, and I feel like while they were better later, nothing could make that up to me. The same was true for Lara’s family excluding her, but they didn’t even notice.
Overall, I really liked this! I’d recommend it to people who want a very quick, readable romcom with a lot of cringy yet funny characters. I personally relate to Carol with her violent tendencies.

Okayyy so where do we even begin with this one!?
I guess we'll start with the starting itself, it was disastrous... I'm fully aware that what I'm initiating seems ominous but bare with me here. So yes, it didn't start out well. With certain very cringe scenes, stereotypical subplots, some highly questionable teachers, (the teacher legit said that she sensed sexual tension between two students????? and further kept pestering then about their relationship status?) a couple of almost (keyword) cheating accidents and countless betrayals, everything made me want to curl into myself like a hermit.

Now the blatant question arises, why did I continue reading? Was it because of the adorable grandma dynamics or perhaps the bickering between the protagonist and the love interest... No it was because I could relate to Lara's aspirations and hopes about her future, her career and the obvious worries that come with it. We see the characters struggling with the age old dilemma of choosing professions, and wondering when one slips out of childhood into adulthood or if they ever? Further we get to meet Lara's vulnerable side, the one where her anxiety spirals, her jealousy flares and her loneliness even in her own relationship, gains sympathy from me.

The ending was mostly the only redeeming bit about the plot because never have I read a more realistic and perfect ending for a YA novel, where the characters recognise their own flaws and choose sense above all and most importantly choose their future before anything else.

I'd like to say that even though, there are many many improvement opportunities, I'd still recommend it only because it's a roller coaster ride of emotions, we see genuine character improvement, a love that does make you coo at points and as I mentioned above the ending.
To conclude I want to tell you that in no way is this a bad attempt at a debut, it just belongs to someone with a different taste to savour this, infact I'd like to point out that the author is only nineteen so this is most definitely a great attempt perhaps just not for me but I'd still give her future works a try.

3.47/5✩

A big thanks to Wattpad Books & Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this book, which I voluntarily read & reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad Books for allowing me to read and review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is definitely geared towards the young adult audience and has all the elements of a fun and cute YA read. I did enjoy Lara's relationships with her friends and how hard it is to be that third wheel in a group of couples. I totally understand that feeling and I think many teenagers will get a kick out of how relatable Lara is and her story. Dealing with a beautiful cousin and annoyingly cute boy who you start to have a crush on makes for an interesting, fun, fluffy YA read I think 13-17 year olds will enjoy.

3.5 stars

I read this book in a day. I couldn't put it down or be so good. The absolute accuracy of the third wheel is highly heart. As much as friends say things will be the same once they couple up. For the single one, it's NEVER the same. and to say something automatically means jealousy. Lara is was losing her friends to their boyfriend. They've already started to cancel things, their boyfriends are always invited to their events and she's doesn't know what to do about it. James her enemy is the other single one and she's wrangled into spending every day with him helping with math. I just loved this book and the ending was perfectly reflective of two people in grade 12, just starting z new life and relationship. Just great!

Lara de la Cruz is excited to be back home and ready for her Senior year of High School and get all scoope from her three besties since she was away in the Philippines all summer. To her surprise she is shocked to discover that all three of her friends are in relationships. Carol, Jasmine, and Kiera have been busy over the summer. And it has
Lara feeling a certain way.
Lara’s long time frenemy, James has also become the third wheel in his friend group.
So why is he asking her to tutor him? He is so annoying, so why is she starting to notice how cute he is?
Lara must learn to accept that some change is inevitable, love is messy, and being the odd one out is sometimes where inner power is found.

This heartwarming story filled me with joy.
I loved these characters and how real they felt.
I laughed, cried, and just couldn't put this novel down.
The story felt real and sincere I enjoyed how the main character felt as I know alot of times in HS I felt this same way.
But they way Lara handles it with grace is amazing!
A well crafted, wonderful and heartwarming story filled with friends, family, and feels that left me walking on sunshine. But other times I wish I could grab a few of these characters and scream.... Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop.
I really enjoyed this story. It's a heart-felt romance which light and easy chemistry and just enough adventure to keep you intrigued without the drama being too forced
This is one heck of a cute read. I loved everything about it!

Wattpad Books and NetGalley,
Thank You for this eARC!
I will post to my platforms closer to pub day!