Release: April 12th 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Source: NetGalley
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo
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When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk — falling in love.
Pranking mastermind Doe and her motley band of Weston girls are determined to win the century-long war against Winfield Academy before the clock ticks down on their senior year. But their headmistress announces that The Weston School will merge with its rival the following year. Since then, their longtime feud spirals into chaos.
Doe wants to protect the school that has been her safe haven since her parents’ divorce. So she puts together a plan to prove once and for all that Winfield boys and Weston girls just don’t mix. She starts with a direct hit at Three, Winfield’s boy king and her nemesis. In a desperate move to win, Doe strikes a bargain with Three’s cousin, Wells. If he fake dates her to get under Three’s skin, she’ll help him get back his rightful family heirloom from Three.
As the pranks escalate, so do her feelings for her fake boyfriend. And Doe spins lie after lie to keep up her end of the deal. But when a teacher long suspected of inappropriate behavior messes with a younger Weston girl, Doe has to decide what’s more important: winning a rivalry, or joining forces to protect something far more critical than a prank war legacy.
This May End Badly is a story about friendship, falling in love, and crossing pretty much every line presented to you—and how to atone when you do.
About the Author:
Samantha Markum was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, where she got her great literary start writing Newsies fan fiction in middle school. She went to high school and college in Florida, and eventually moved to Los Angeles, just so she could complain about how much she missed In-N-Out once she left.
She currently lives in her hometown of St. Louis. This May End Badly is her debut novel.
This May End Badly Review:
If you want to read a witty, hilarious, and cute story, then “This May End Badly” is the perfect book to pick up.
Firstly, I must say that I love the author’s imagination. I loved how smart and bold the story felt, and lighthearted and romantic at the same time. There are many reasons to appreciate this book. For starters, I loved the whole concept of pranking. There are many reasons to appreciate this book. For starters, I loved the whole concept of pranking. Doe ups her game to prove that the merge between Weston and Winfield will not be successful, and it was hilarious to see how she came up with her plots.
Moreover, Doe rocks in the lead! She is not afraid to stand for what she feels is correct and does everything to prove her point. True, she doesn’t always make the right decision, which gets her into trouble, but I loved her moxie attitude. Also, I thought the entire supporting cast, like Sumi, Jade, or Gemma, added value to the scene. At the same time, the romance between Doe and Wells is fantastic. You can see how Doe starts to thaw in the presence of Wells. The author writes their chemistry so smoothly, where you see them move from enemy to friends with their charismatic conversations. Also, the author adds exciting moments to the tale, like what happens at Fall Fest, or sneak into the Wellborn’s estate, or when they find the campus vandalized.
Similarly, the author also adds critical moments, especially towards the end, where the story touches on assault. I thought the author handled the subject well. Overall, “This May End Badly” is an innovative, young adult, contemporary romance which feels fresh and bold, and I enjoyed it.
