[Review] The Code for Love and Heartbreak - Jillian Cantor

Summary: When math genius Emma and her coding club co-president, George, are tasked with brainstorming a new project, The Code for Love is born.

George disapproves of Emma’s idea of creating a matchmaking app, accusing her of meddling in people’s lives. But all the happy new couples at school are proof that the app works. At least at first.

Emma’s code is flawless. So why is it that perfectly matched couples start breaking up, the wrong people keep falling for each other, and Emma’s own feelings defy any algorithm? (Pub Date: Oct 06, 2020)

Emma decides she'll perfect the algorithm for an app that can match the students in her school, but can she find the code for love when she hasn't even got any will to have a social life?

3.5, for effort of trying something not too different but not overdone either, but the result isn't enough to be rounded up. 

This was a cute read that was also very quick too. It was interesting how it was about finding out what determines if you'll love someone but it wasn't very focused on developing the main romance, to a point I even wondered if I was cheering for the right boy (not that there was really another serous option). That can be a good aspect if you're tired of romantic clichés, but I confess I craved for more moments. Especially since, because it all happens from Emma's point of view, we hardly see George's feelings grow, except for rare moments. And those were the best moments for me.

George is probably a good book boyfriend, but again due to the POV thing, I feel I didn't get to know him enough. I'm sure I guessed right what went in his head throughout the book, but I can't say there was definite confirmation for everything. And so the romance fell a little flat even when I'm sure the two characters have lots of chemistry.

Another problem for me was with the side characters. At the same time I liked them, I couldn't help but feel they were too shallow. I'm sure they'd be perfect if deepened, only that never occurred. In the end, they formed all too predictable pairings simply for forming pairings.

I think this was a nice book but missed the opportunity to be great. It was definitely enjoyable, so any fan of contemporary YA should like it even if just a little. I can't help but put this on the perfect comfort read tab. And yet, I still feel the loss from its potential.


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

Rating: 3 out of 5.