Sometimes It Happens

Barnholdt (One Night That Changes Everything) delivers another frothy and fun romance, centering on a likable main character whose insecurities ought to have readers rooting for her from the get-go. This book jumps between the first day of Hannah's senior year, which is rife with drama, and flashbacks to the preceding summer, when said drama began. Hannah's boyfriend, Sebastian, kicks off his summer by making out with a sophomore at the big end-of-school party, and Hannah's best friend, Ava, announces she's deserting Hannah in favor of a camp counselor job. Hannah's solution: a daily diet of ice cream in bed. But Ava sends her boyfriend, Noah, to check in on Hannah, and soon Hannah is working at Cooley's diner and going to shows with Noah, as well as feeling a tingle every time they brush hands. Books about falling in love with one's best friend's boyfriend are plentiful, but this one rises above the usual handwringing through Hannah's humor and honesty, as well as through her heartfelt acknowledgment of the pain cheating can cause. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. (July)