Rules for Rule Breaking

Shenanigans abound in this satisfying, laugh-out-loud road-trip debut. Though their parents are family friends, Korean American teens Bobby Bae and Winter Park have been nemeses since childhood. To keep their parents unaware of their feud, the duo follows certain guidelines, including playing nice in front of their families and not meeting outside of school. When their parents pressure them into visiting Massachusetts universities together, though, Winter’s halmeoni encourages the teens to “break a few rules.” Heeding her advice, they set out to cross things off their bucket list—with a new set of guidelines, of course. Initially, tensions rise over their clashing personalities and individual challenges: Bobby is dealing with the fallout of a recent breakup, and Winter is grieving her once perfect picture of attending college with her best friend, who doesn’t plan to continue her schooling. After Winter persuades Bobby to deviate from his detailed itinerary, the teens embark on an unexpected—and surprisingly fun—rule-breaking adventure. Tucker levies dynamic storytelling via the duo’s alternating POVs to present a lightweight rom-com that captures the thrill of spontaneity and budding romance. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)