3.5, Really adorable story with a fun plot about a book themed scavenger hunt of sorts through the UK. Great character development. A nice light read for anglophiles.

Thank you Net Galley for the copy!

4.5 Stars

Is it fair for me to dock half a star off this rating JUST BECAUSE IM SO UPSET THAT I DIDNT GET AN ALL EXPENSES PAID COMPETITIVE TRIP AROUND THE UK FOR $100K RIGHT AFTER HIGH SCHOOL?! It isn’t fair? Well I’m a grown adult and I do what I want.

Seriously though, this book was so delightful. It hit everything I love in books: travel, romance, literature, discovering one’s self, and strong female characters who are working through a rough patch.

Brit was picked to head to the UK for a week long scavenger hunt inspired by The Canterbury Tales. She and three other classmates hit up Bath, Scotland, The Moors, London, and Oxford following in the footsteps of some of the most famous British classic literature authors to exist. Problem? She isn’t as studious as the other contestants and has no idea why she was selected. Oh, and she’s hiding a big secret so that her competition won’t use it against her.

I loved Brit. She reminds me so much of myself at 18. I too was smart but not the smartest of my smart friends. I also played soccer and enjoyed being loud and telling stories to get others excited. I also had thoughts that moved so fast that I couldn’t take time to slow down and analyze some of my favorite stories like my teachers wanted. She was me and I love her.

She happens to make quick friends with a very handsome Brit who helps her along the hunt and they grow feelings. I felt like he truly did help Brit discover who she is and what she wants from her future, all while Brit changed him as well!

Anyhoo, this was a quick and enjoyable read that gave me wanderlust and has me wanting to pick up my favorite classics and hop back across the pond to visit some of my favorite literary sites.

A cute, light rom-com. I would have liked more in-depth character development, it was hard to connect to the characters. But I loved the adventure, the scavenger hunt aspect and literary references. It's a very sweet romance.

This book seems right up my alley. A scavenger hunt in England that includes classic English novels, and an adorable British boy? Yes please! Have been unable to review due to illness, but greatly looking forward to this novel! I think it will have everything one could want in a book - romance, a little mystery, and cute likeable characters that you will root for. Can't wait to start this!

This story, which is about a young woman who embarks on an unexpected healing journey with a posh guardian, a calculated boy with secrets, and a broken dream, was a slow read for me, but was a cute YA story overall.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this advanced copy!

This book was just okay It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be and maybe that's my issue but I had wanted a little bit more from it but it was still cute

A cute young adult book. I enjoyed the characters. Was hoping for more along the story. Kind of a slow book for me.

Love & Other Great Expectations was a cute and easy YA romance read that was enjoyable.

Britt Hanson is an American girl who recently had her world rocked when her true passion in life, soccer, had been taken from her with no notice. Now she is left without a scholarship to UCLA and no idea of what her future may hold. That is, until her English teacher chooses her to go on an adventure of a lifetime on a scavenger hunt around the United Kingdom to possibly win $100,000. Along the way Britt finds friendship, adventure, a nd a little more insight to herself.

This was a pretty straightforward YA romance that had cute moments, coming of age moments and a few sweet romance moments. The romance was essentially insta-love that moves quickly but it was sweet and they characters complimented each other. The descriptions of the regions they were visiting were fantastic and I appreciated the imagery. I will say I thought this trended pretty young for YA and that it would a younger read than say To All the Boys I've Loved Before, but that is just my personal opinion. Overall fun read!

I was disappointed by this book. The premise was great, but it didn't work. I never warmed up to Britt. She didn't feel like a completely developed character. Also, the book is about traveling to exciting places which were never properly described. I'm sure a lot of readers will enjoy this book, but it didn't work for me.

This is a cute young adult romance about an American visiting England. I enjoyed it but I was really hoping for a little more.

Let’s start off by acknowledging that the premise is ridiculous: Wealthy British high school English teacher creates a literary scavenger hunt for 4 high school grads from California in the UK for the potential of winning $100,000. Like that’s insane!But my god was it a fun story with charming characters and witty dialogue. Reminded me of 13 Little Blue Envelopes, which was one of my absolute favorite YAs that I read as a teen. I would have liked a “One Year Later” epilogue to tie things up a bit more, but other than, what a charming book!

A dnf for me, the whole idea of this book sounded great but as I started to listen I realized it was childish and saw that it was a young adult whole sometimes these can be good this one fell flat and to immature for me to handle

Thanks NetGalley for my ARC for my honest review

In Becky Dean's book, Love & Other Great Expectations, a young woman embarks on an unexpected healing journey with a posh guardian, a calculated boy with secrets, and a broken dream.

After injuring her knee in a soccer accident, Brittany Hanson is left trying to make sense of life. Now that her dream soccer scholarship is no longer an option, she must somehow find a way to make it to college. An opportunity comes in the form of a competition sponsored by her English teacher and hosted in England. If she can win the literary-themed competition, she could be set, except things aren't what she expected. When she comes across a methodical and handsomely nerdy guy, she realizes there is still hope in life, even after broken dreams.

Love & Other Great Expectations was a simple read with sweet characters. While a cliche trope, the journey of self-discovery Dean put the main character through was touching and relatable. I appreciated Dean's perspective in making the guy interest, not your average egotistical and dashingly handsome man. Instead, Luke is quiet, structured, and nerdy, making you curious about his story. The competition aspect isn't too cutthroat and, while prominent, is not the plot's primary focus. Love & Other Great Expectations is a sweet, character-driven novel about healing from the past and finding hope for the future.

Fans of light, coming-of-age YA novels with a healthy pinch of romance will enjoy this sweet story.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a cute adventurey read. This was a great debut read, I enjoyed how it took you on the adventure along with the characters. Britt is sent on a scavenger hunt throughout England where she meets Luke who helps her discover the mysteries that are hidden not only in the country but also within herself. It was a beautiful coming of age story seeing mostly Britt’s development but also Luke’s.

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.***

Britt Hanson is a high school soccer star until one injury ends her career and plans for playing soccer in college on a scholarship. A unique opportunity presents itself and she is entered into a scavenger hunt in England. The winning prize money would help her solidify plans for her future. Once she is across the pond she meets British bookworm, Luke Jackson. She invites him to travel around with her even though he can’t help her solve the clues. Britt discovers she enjoys his company. To win the competition, Britt has to outsmart three other competitors who aren’t afraid of bending the rules to get what they want. Along her quest she discovers much more about herself and her strength than she thought possible.
This was an adorable young adult book if you have younger readers needing a summer read. Very sweet and no smut. Britt goes to some very cool places and mentions famous authors and literature for those who enjoy classics or want to research more, it’s great!

Love & Other Great Expectations hooked me in from the beginning, and surprised me in the best of ways! This clean YA novel follows the story of Britt as she treks her way through the UK solving classic literary clues in hopes of being chosen by her English teacher for the prize money. Along the way, she learns so much about herself with the help of Luke and friends, both new and old. I didn't expect to fall in love with these characters ( Becky Dean, can I get more of Al's story and her dry sarcasm?! Loved her!)and all the references to some of classic literature's greatest authors and their works. Becky Dean also does a wonderful job of weaving in themes of love and loss of dreams and expectations that we have set for ourselves and even others. This novel had me wanting to plan my own trip through the UK, but for now I will just live vicariously through these characters. Reading Love & Other Great Expectations just made me happy, and I will definitely be adding it to my own physical shelf so I can read it again!

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the e-ARC and the opportunity to read this debut novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In Love and Other Great Expectations, Britt Hansen, whose soccer career has been ended by a knee injury, receives a mysterious invitation to go on a literary scavenger hunt through England. The $100,000 prize will keep her UCLA dreams alive after she loses her athletic scholarship. Her English teacher has arranged an all-expense-paid trip for a scavenger hunt based on Canterbury Tales. The four student competitors must solve riddles that lead them to the sites of literary masterpieces, where another riddle awaits. Each student must complete a journal for the competition. Britt is accompanied by Alexis, a snarky chaperone, as well as Al's cousin Luke who is avoiding problems of his own. He is a literature major who helps her become acquainted with the books referenced on the hunt. As the outgoing Britt follows the clues, she makes friends and charms Luke in the process. Britt, who is not a strong reader or writer, must become acquainted with the great literary works that are part of the hunt and find a way to stand out in the process. Along with the history and backbiting competition between the four students, the mystery as to how and why this competition is being financed keeps the reader guessing. The references to great British literature are informative for Britt and the reader, and the "will they or won't they romance" between her and Luke adds a sweet charm to this delightful novel.

I'd like to thank NetGallery and the publisher for this ARC.

The synopsis of the book is An American girl (Britt Hanson) embarks on a competitive scavenger hunt in England (hosted by her HS English teacher - Ms. C to win $100k) —and along the way, meets a bookish British boy (Luke) who comes along with her journey.

This book was okay. I will be honest and say I did not finish this book, but only because the book read a little young for me. This book is good for early teens (13-16) rather than someone in their 20's. (This is definitely my fault because this is marked as YA). I also have read none of the classics that the scavenger hunt followed (Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, etc.). Also did the premise of the competition confuse anyone? How did the teacher have all that money? Maybe I didn't get to the big reveal yet? Anyway, the book was okay. I liked that this book is set in the UK, so love the travel aspect of it because after COVID, I've been stuck at home all day, everyday. I think someone a bit younger than I would enjoy this much more.

3.5 stars

This was a cute road trip story, taking the reader all over the United Kingdom. I enjoyed the scavenger hunt and how many fun things Britt got to experience and I'm pretty jealous of her getting a free trip like that. There's also a sweet romance and a lesson on finding what you love to do and adapting to change when life gets in the way of your plans.

Britt is a people person, great at drawing others in and telling entertaining stories. What she isn't great at is forming strong relationships with others and tends to run away if things get tough. At times I didn't love Britt, especially because I'm the opposite of her and prefer reading and solitude. I did think that she and Luke were good together and appreciated that she's good at making others laugh and like her.

The setting was the best part of this and makes me want to take a trip overseas. Maybe I'll find my own scavenger hunt of things to do and see!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the copy.

This was a very interesting read and it was full of self discovery. Both Britt and Luke learn a lot about themselves and each other during the week they are together on their journey across the UK. There were times this book was funny and there were times your really could sympathize with the characters.

Britt has just graduated high school. She only ever wanted to play soccer until recently when she got some bad medical news after messing up her knee.
She and four of her classmates are given the opportunity to go to the United Kingdom on a scavenger hunt to win 100k. She needs this money after losing her scholarship to play soccer.
There is one catch though. She has to journal her way through the contest. With this challenge she makes her way through the challenges and meets Luke along the way.