Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Romance

Publication Date: 4/20/2021

Rating: 4.25/5

Summary blurb from Goodreads:

“After losing spectacularly to her ex-girlfriend in their first game since their break up, Scottie Zajac gets into a fender bender with the worst possible person: her nemesis, the incredibly beautiful and incredibly mean Irene Abraham. Things only get worse when their nosey, do-gooder moms get involved and the girls are forced to carpool together until Irene’s car gets out of the shop.

Their bumpy start only gets bumpier the more time they spend together. But when an opportunity presents itself for Scottie to get back at her toxic ex (and climb her school’s social ladder at the same time), she bribes Irene into playing along. Hijinks, heartbreak, and gay fake-dating scheme for the ages…a new laugh-out-loud romp through the ups and downs of teen romance.”

My thoughts:

Getting to know Scottie Zajac was a wonderful way to spend the second week of 2024. One thing I really enjoy about She Drives Me Crazy is how different it is from many other young adult LGBTQ titles. It’s about a teenage lesbian who is already completely out of the closet and past the Questioning and Fighting Her Feelings part of the coming out journey. Although there is a time and place for books about teenagers coming to terms with their identities, Scottie’s story as a sapphic who is past that stage is a welcome change. 

I also love Scottie’s character evolution in She Drives Me Crazy. Accompanying her through the healing process of heartbreak and grieving the end of a romantic relationship makes this a feel-good read, as Scottie’s growth is inspiring to witness. Lastly, I really appreciate the general campiness of the book. So much Young Adult LGBTQ fiction is filled with angst and difficult emotions, but She Drives Me Crazy is truly a fun, mood-boosting treat to read. I honestly had a lot of fun with this book!

Thank you to Kelly Quindlen for this lighthearted sapphic young adult romance; the lack of malaise and anxiety is very appreciated and refreshing!