March 4, 2019
In a clever retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, Kaplan (We Regret to Inform You) introduces best friends with opposing personalities who face challenges of the heart. If combined, high school junior Bethany’s beauty and Aphra’s smarts and gift of gab would make the “perfect girl.” Separately, though, their self-worth suffers. Bethany gets tongue-tied around everyone except Aphra; Aphra is all too aware of what she perceives as her oversize nose. Problems begin when Bethany sets her sights on attracting handsome Greg, Aphra’s longtime crush. Putting aside her jealousy to be a good friend, Aphra helps get the two together. When an advice app that Aphra designed malfunctions, she answers teens’ questions herself instead of letting the app generate answers. And when Greg sends in questions, mistaking Aphra for his girlfriend, she goes along with it, dazzling him with her wit and advice. After their conversations grow too intimate, though, disaster strikes. Told from Aphra’s point of view, this romance offers equal amounts amusement and relatable teen challenges, among them sibling resentment, self-esteem, and codependency, shown through realistically flawed characters. Ages 12–up. Agent: Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Associates.