Breakup from Hell by Ann Dávila Cardinal
on January 3, 2023
ISBN: 0063045303
Genres: Horror, Romance, Supernatural
Format: Fiction
Goodreads

After spending her life in a small, idyllic Vermont town, Mica is ready for a new adventure. Unfortunately, her friends and Abuela don’t want her to leave to attend her dream college, UCLA. When the handsome and mysterious Sam shows up Mica falls for him hard, but it doesn’t take long for suspicions about Sam, his horrible sister, and Abuela’s concern about Mica’s changing behavior to show Mica that even small town Vermont can be exciting.

This angels-versus-demons, lovers-to-enemies horror-comedy is fast paced and fun but ultimately gets weighed down by unanswered questions and stock characters. More attention to Mica’s and her friends’ superhero-style development of their angelic powers would have helped lighten it up but it feels rushed for Mica and practically nonexistent for her friends. Maybe a sequel will explore these new powers in more detail?

Not an essential book for a YA collection but fans of Twilight, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Lucifer will probably really enjoy it.

Reviewed by Sarah Maciejewski, Patten Free Library, Bath