She Drives Me Crazy

By Kelly Quindlen

High school nemeses fall in love in Kelly Quindlen's She Drives Me Crazy, a queer YA rom com perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Casey McQuiston.

What happens when two high school nemeses fall in love?

Seventeen-year-old Scottie Zajac can’t catch a break.

First there’s the embarrassing loss to her ex-girlfriend in their first basketball game of the season, and then she gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her head cheerleader nemesis, Irene Abraham.

Irene is as mean as she is beautiful, and Scottie makes a point to keep her distance, only their little car accident means the girls are forced to ride together to school. Every day.

But when an opportunity arises for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex – and climb her school’s social ladder – she convinces Irene to take part in an elaborate fake-dating scheme that threatens to reveal some very real feelings.

'A must-read for every romcom fan' – Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: Oct 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781035018178

Kelly Quindlen

Kelly Quindlen is the bestselling author of young adult LGBTQ novels. She initially pursued self-publishing with Her Name in the Sky, which sold more than 30,000 copies through word-of-mouth marketing in the queer community, before she pursued traditional publishing with Late to the Party and the IndieBound bestseller and Goodreads Choice Award nominee She Drives Me Crazy. Kelly graduated from Vanderbilt University with degrees in English Literature and American Studies. She taught middle school math for two years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before moving back to her hometown of Atlanta. She is on the leadership team of a non-profit for Catholic parents with LGBTQ children and is very passionate about the intersection of queerness and faith.

Reviews for She Drives Me Crazy

[librarianryan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This Sapphic rom com retelling of the movie Can’t Buy Me Love, is so much fun. Scottie is on the basketball team but is not doing well. She cannot get over her ex Tally. It has become a complete mental block that is taking away from every aspect of her life. After the demo game against her school rival, where Tally is now going, she runs her car in to the car of the Head Cheerleader Irene. The same head cheerleader who had Scottie’s car towed last year at a party for no reason. This starts off an enemies to lovers’ adventure that keeps readers smiling throughout. Scottie offers Irene the money she needs to repair the car if she pretends to be her girlfriend for 4 months. Scottie has two main reasons for this offer, one to make Tally jealous, and two to make her basketball team play better. After all, don’t all teams play better when they have a cheering section? While this book is quite typical for the genera, its written well and keeps the readers wanting to turn the page. This is a read in one sitting book. It’s short and quick, but does not lack in emotion or problem management. Scottie has a dream family. They are so loyal and supportive in all things. Irene’s parents are also supportive, but this book does a great job of showing how Irene does’t always feel that support. I think it also handles Scottie’s mental anguish over her breakup really well. Her family talks things over, her friends let her take the time and do the things she needs to do to find herself again. This is not an “issue” book, it is instead a book filled with events that feel true life. They fell real, and youth could see themselves and their friends as different characters living these lives. One of the great things about this book is that the pop culture references are already dated so it keeps the book fresh. For example, Irene, actually says : is this a Can’t Buy Me Love thing (classic Patrick Dempsey movie from the 80’s). One of the main characters actually references the movie this book retells. The title come from the Fine Young Cannibals song of the same name, and Irene is called Regina George (from Mean Girls) more than once. It is all tongue in cheek, but it all works together seamlessly. Nothing feels pushed or too cheesy.Overall this book was a joy to read. If you are looking for more Sapphic rom-coms try: You Should See me in a Crown by Leah Johnson, or Late to the Party by Kelly Quindlen. If you want more Can’t Buy me Love retellings (fake relationships) in all sexualities try: Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan or Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked how Scottie grew throughout the story, but sometimes I felt the pacing of that growth just took too long. Scottie and Irene should have had more fun together then have things fall apart before the final act. It would have made the story more fun and even more believable as to why Scottie and Irene even should be together

[starlight3glimmer · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my favorite kind of YA, thoughtful, fun, inclusive, and sensitive. I clicked with both of the bright, layered main characters, and I enjoyed how they both prioritize friendship and their goals, while also embarking on a cute romance! The family dynamics also felt really empowering and it is such a pleasure to see parenting depicted in this loving, truly supportive way. Bonus points for cats named Boo Boo and Pickles! :) I’m giving more bonus points because coming out/being out is not a major plot point, and that is so refreshing!

[edgoldberg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun, sometimes laugh out loud funny take on enemies to friends to girlfriends. Irene and Scottie get into a fender bender. Scottie's mother suggests Scottie drive Irene to school while the latter's car is being repaired. Since they dislike each other, it is a task.Scottie is a whiz on the basketball court and Irene leads the cheerleading squad. Also, Scottie is on the rebound after her girlfriend, Tally, broke up with her and switched high schools to their arch basketball enemy.Can two girls who dislike each other become more than friends? Enjoy the ride as you get to see. Don't forget the romance between some of Scottie's friends with some of Irene's. fun and heart warming through to the end.