My New Crush Gave to Me

In a Christmas romance that reads somewhat like a contemporary Cyrano de Bergerac, junior Charlotte “Charlie” Donovan has everything planned—except getting dumped. She’s determined to find a new boyfriend before a friend’s big post-Christmas birthday bash, and she has her sights on smart, popular, and athletic Teo Ortiz. After rigging the school newspaper’s Secret Santa exchange, she tries to give Teo the perfect gifts, but getting close to him requires pulling strings and enlisting the help of his cousin J.D., whom she dismisses as irresponsible and annoying. Petroff cleverly plays on the “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during the Secret Santa gift-giving, though Charlotte’s petty rivalry with a classmate can turn grating. Readers will easily recognize which Ortiz is right for Charlie; the most meaningful change in her life is the realization that not everything can be planned and controlled. Ages 13–up. Agent: Laura Dail, Laura Dail Literary. (Oct.)