The Rival by Emma Lord

“At long last, Sadie has vanquished her lifelong academic rival — her irritatingly charming, whip smart next door neighbor, Seb — by getting the coveted, only spot to her dream college. Or at least, so she thinks. When Seb is unexpectedly pulled off the waitlist and admitted, Sadie has to compete with him all over again, this time to get a spot on the school’s famous zine. Now not only is she dealing with the mayhem of the lovable, chaotic family she hid her writing talents from, as well as her own self doubt, but she has to come to terms with some less-than-resentful feelings for Seb that are popping up along the way.

But the longer they compete, the more Sadie and Seb notice flaws in the school’s system that are much bigger than any competition between them. Somehow the two of them have to band together even as they’re trying to crush each other, only to discover they may have met their match in more ways than one.” - taken from Goodreads.

A cute rom-com about a boy and a girl who have grown up together since birth. Academic rivals, Sadie is glad to leave Seb behind to attend college alone. Unfortunately, her dream is short-lived when she runs into Seb at an interest meeting for the school’s famous zine. With only one spot open, Sadie finds herself once again competing against Seb. But soon the two frenemies find themselves drawn to each other. 

Visit Emma Lord’s website.

Not Here to be Liked by Michelle Quach

 

“Eliza Quan is the perfect candidate for editor in chief of her school paper. That is, until ex-jock Len DiMartile decides on a whim to run against her. Suddenly her vast qualifications mean squat because inexperienced Len—who is tall, handsome, and male—just seems more like a leader.

When Eliza’s frustration spills out in a viral essay, she finds herself inspiring a feminist movement she never meant to start, caught between those who believe she’s a gender equality champion and others who think she’s simply crying misogyny.

Amid this growing tension, the school asks Eliza and Len to work side by side to demonstrate civility. But as they get to know one another, Eliza feels increasingly trapped by a horrifying realization—she just might be falling for the face of the patriarchy himself.” - taken from Goodreads.

 A quick read where Eliza is dumbfounded not to be elected as the next editor of the school newspaper despite her qualifications. When her private tirade against losing out is published in the newspaper, Eliza decides to fight against what she sees as a misogynist society at her school.  Drawing on the support of the female population, it's not too long before she finds herself at a crossroads when she develops feelings for Len, the boy who beat her out as editor. Will Eliza still be able to lead the fight as a feminist and she finds herself falling for the enemy?

Visit Michelle Quach’s website.