[Review] How to Speak Boy - Tiana Smith

Summary: Quinn and Grayson have been fierce speech and debate rivals for years. They can't stand each other, either in competition or in real life.

But when their AP Government teacher returns their school assignments to the wrong cubbies, they begin exchanging anonymous notes without knowing who the other one is.

Despite their differences, the two come together through their letters and find themselves unknowingly falling for the competition. Before the state tournament, the two of them need to figure out what they want in life, or risk their own future happiness. After all, what’s the point of speech and debate if you can't say what's in your heart? (Pub Date: Jan 7, 2019)

Honest review based on an ARC provided by Edelweiss. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.


A not so typical story about rivals who fall in love and need to deal with this change.

3.5, but not enough to round up. 

Quinn and Grayson compete in the debate club, and Quinn knows Grayson has once made a girl fall for him only to break her heart and win in the school's election, so this won't be a story of hate becoming love. Or will it? While she exchanges messages with an anonymous boy getting the tips she needs to improve in AP Government and in her speeches, her feelings toward Grayson start to change.

This was a lovely YA romance that kept me entertained and swooning. Along with the rivals trope, we also get the letter exchanges. I'll be honest and say I wasn't sure of who'd be the boy writing to her though we always tend to imagine it is her love interest.What I liked about the use of this trope here was we didn't have to go through all those steps all books seem to feel a need to—among which, my most hated "I'm sure it's this dreamy guy, even though of course there's no logical reason except the ones the writer inserted because he wanted".

I also liked the conclusion, there were some twists before that me wonder if it would please me in the end it actually wrapped pretty well, I was a little impressed. However, the second half of the book wasn't that good, in my opinion. It felt a little aimless, perhaps? The characters seemed to move at random, trying to find the best path, and it made the book lose pace and the romance, its impact. I could see they were a good couple, but the swoon it gave me in the first half became lukewarm during the last.

It's still above average and I recommend of fans of this trope, but it lacked that shine when it felt so close, so apt to reach perfect.

Rating: 3 out of 5.