The Love Interest

by Helen Comerford

Overview

In this swoony and electric YA rom-com that offers a satirical take on superhero conventions, a teenage girl finds herself reluctantly fake-dating a superhero.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Ray has just been saved by the world's newest superhero, Blaze. And, in the eyes of the public, that means one thing: Jenna has been cast as the Love Interest.

Jenna has no interest in being a helpless love interest, kidnapped by villains whenever they want Blaze's attention. In fact, she disapproves of the whole hero industrial complex on principle. But then an association of villains offers her a chance to find new information about her mom, who has been missing for ten years. All she has to do is get close enough to Blaze to spy on him.

The more time Jenna spends with Blaze, though, the harder it gets to lie to him. And the more she uncovers about the Hero's Association, the more she realizes that her town is in danger-and she might be the only one who can save it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547614790
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	11/12/2024
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Helen Comerford graduated from the Bath Spa MA in Writing for Young People and is an SFF aficionada obsessed with time travel. Originally a history graduate, she formerly worked as a stage manager in the theatre and now works part-time for the Wise Children company and Bristol Old Vic. She lives in Wales with her pet dog Cocoa, loves going for walks up mountains, and fuels her writing endeavours with chocolate raisins. The Love Interest is her debut novel.

Helencomerfordauthor.com | Instagram: @helen_jcomerford | Twitter: @HelenJoC

Editorial Reviews

This novel manages to strike a beautiful balance between satire and storytelling; it's a hilarious sendup of the superhero genre and of modern superhero fandom that serves up an exciting action story peppered with creative superpowers.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“A fun, smart, trope-laden read for fans and haters of superhero stories alike.” —BCCB

“A picturesque superhero universe and the 21st-century world collide in Comerford's rom-com debut, which features comedic dialogue, sophisticated depictions of mental health, and empowering, authentic female relationships.” —Publishers Weekly

“Comerford peppers her work with clever, inventive twists as Jenna starts falling for Blaze. This fast-paced story culminates in a dramatic, satisfying conclusion that promises an exciting sequel . . . A sharp romantic comedy that takes aim at the patriarchy.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2024-08-30
Despite craving peace and quiet, a teen becomes embroiled in nonstop superhero action.

After a fire breaks out in the British town of Nine Trees, Blaze appears on the scene to rescue Jenna Ray, who collapsed while trying to escape the heat and smoke. With his superspeed and ability to fly, he becomes Nine Trees’ hero. Blaze is a member of the Heroics and Power Authority, the organization that registers and manages those who demonstrate special abilities rumored to come from the accelerated evolution of the planet. Blaze’s actions trigger speculation that because Jenna is his first rescue, she’s also his Love Interest—a distinction the feminist Jenna initially rejects. She’s a keen swimmer who prefers a low-key life with her dad and sister; dealing with media intrusion worsens her anxiety and panic attacks. Not long after her identity goes public, Jenna is approached by the Villains, an opposition group with its own powerful members who want her to spy on the HPA. If she agrees, the Villains promise to reunite Jenna with her mother, who left the family when Jenna was 7. Comerford peppers her work with clever, inventive twists as Jenna starts falling for Blaze. This fast-paced story culminates in a dramatic, satisfying conclusion that promises an exciting sequel. Jenna is Black, and Blaze is Chinese and white.

A sharp romantic comedy that takes aim at the patriarchy. (mental health resources)(Fantasy romance. 14-18)

Kirkus Reviews