Never Trust a Gemini

March 20, 2023
White 14-year-old Aquarius Cathleen Phillips, an avid astrology follower, believes that she and longtime crush Alison—who is white, Ghanaian, and a Pisces—are cosmically meant to be. But when Alison asks Cat to check her compatibility with a Gemini named Oscar (“You can NEVER trust a Gemini,” Cat claims), Cat worries that Alison might only like boys. Heartbroken and following advice from a classmate (“A boyfriend is the best natural cleanse”), Cat starts a romantic relationship with schoolmate Jamie, a Cancer, but “kissing him is more hard work than fireworks.” Soon, Cat becomes intrigued with Irish newcomer Morgan—a Gemini—breaking up with Jamie to secretly pursue Morgan. Cat’s lingering feelings for Alison and hesitance to come out, however, threaten their budding relationship. Cat’s reliance on astrology to help foster relationships endearingly reflects contemporary teens’ obsession with cosmic forces, and her realization that not everyone is defined by what’s in their horoscopes and birth charts is endearing. Debut author Woolf sensitively balances Cat’s painful setbacks with her joyful triumphs, and the teen’s consistently on-target observations and gently sarcastic tone make for many laugh-out-loud moments in this astrology-filled rom-com. Ages 12–up.