Meant to Be

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question. 

It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").

But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.

Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.

"High school junior Julia Lichtenstein is headed to London for her literature class's spring break trip. But without her best friend or swim teammates there, she has to fend for herself when she's partnered up with Jason Lippincott, who is as abrasive and free-spirited as Julia is uptight and studious. While Julia wants to visit museums, Jason is only interested in letting loose; he drags Julia to a house party, where she meets a cute boy, Chris. Jason offers to help Julia woo him, if Julia writes his papers during the trip, and romantic shenanigans ensue. Morrill's debut, a Paper Lantern Lit property, is entertaining and quick-witted, but as a romance it's forced. Although Julia has a crush at home in addition to Chris in London, both boys are all but invisible — no reader will expect Julia to end up with anyone but Jason. Those who share Julia's passion for Shakespeare will appreciate the Benedick and Beatrice — style sparring between the two teens, but it doesn't make up for the transparency of this opposites-attract romantic comedy. Ages 12 — up. Agent: Steven Barbara, Foundry Literary + Media." Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

LAUREN MORRILL grew up in Maryville, Tennessee, where she was a short-term Girl Scout, a (not so) proud member of the marching band, and a trouble-making editor for the school newspaper. She graduated from Indiana University with a major in history and a minor in rock & roll, and now lives in Boston with her husband and their dog, Lucy. When she's not writing, she spends a lot of hours getting knocked around as a member of the Boston Derby Dames, a roller derby league. Meant to Be is her first novel.