Horn Book

Olivia starts fake-dating her tutor, Whit, in retribution for best friend Adrienne sleeping with Olivia's boyfriend. When Olivia realizes her feelings for Whit are real, she worries Adrienne may ruin his life in addition to hers. The motivations behind all the mean-girl machinations can be hard to discern, but Olivia is a well-developed character whose transformation into a person with a conscience is well earned.

Kirkus Reviews

If the Heathers had had smartphones.Olivia has spent years in the shadow of her best friend, popular cruel girl Adrienne. When she catches Adrienne and her boyfriend, Ryan, in flagrante, Olivia takes revenge by sending screen shots of incriminating texts from Adrienne's phone to their peers but makes the mistake of not actually reading what she's forwarding. As a result, Olivia reveals some very sensitive information, including outing their friend Claire as a lesbian. Olivia then sets out to atone for her mean-girl ways by trying to knock Adrienne off her throne and stop her reign of terror. She associates herself with nice guy Whit, school golf champ and salutatorian, whom Adrienne hates. If people think Olivia is going out with Whit, they'll see she's better than Adrienne, won't they? The characters' whingeing back and forth about who's the worst human being is tedious, and their motivations are often confusing. Olivia rejects "dyke" as a pejorative, but repeated, unquestioned use of "slut" may not sit well with some readers. Olivia's small South Carolina town appears to be all-white. Adrienne is described as "dark," both in personality and appearance, with dark hair and eyes and ambiguously "tan" skin; another girl has brown skin, but most characters who merit a description are blond. Confusing, directionless, and unremarkable. (Fiction. 15-17)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this soapy look into the lives of mean girls, friends Olivia Clayton and Adrienne Maynard have spent years mocking their peers in their small South Carolina town. Now seniors, Adrienne still takes joy in punishing anyone who crosses her, but Olivia has been changed by the death of her older brother. That said, after she catches her boyfriend hooking up with Adrienne, Olivia wants revenge. Interspersed flashbacks offer glimpses of Olivia and Adrienne-s tangled past, and back in the present, debut author Devore maintains sympathy for a heroine trying to redeem and reform herself. Olivia-s interior world is full of layers and emotional complexity, and readers will root for her to find her way through the crises and roadblocks Adrienne sets in her path, not to mention her own not-infrequent missteps. As Olivia enters into a fake relationship with school golden boy Whit DuRant, wrecking his pristine reputation in the process, the hope that Olivia will finally start trusting in her better instincts should keep readers invested in her story. Ages 15-up. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Gr 10 Up-Olivia and her best friend, Adrienne, are the definition of mean girls. This inseparable pair have ruled over the small town of Buckley for years, using manipulation, intimidation, and cruelty. At the height of Olivia's power, her carefully constructed life comes crashing to a halt when her older brother dies in a tragic accident. Her inability to process her brother's death, combined with catching her boyfriend sleeping with Adrienne, brings Olivia to a breaking point. She realizes that in order to become a better person, she must turn her life around, and that means cutting out Adrienne, but Olivia knows that Adrienne won't let her go without a fight. Olivia turns to the town golden boy, Whit Du Rant, to help her re-create her image, while simultaneously trying to take down Adrienne. Olivia's plan spins out of control, though, after Adrienne begins targeting Whit with her destructive tactics. This is a classic tale of high school drama and redemption, with many common young adult tropes used throughout. Olivia's character is hard to root for because she is such an unlikable person, but through her relationship with Whit, she is able to redeem herself somewhat. VERDICT While the plot isn't very original, this title will have definite teen appeal. A good fit for fans of the "Pretty Little Liars" series or works by Sarah Dessen. Annalise Ammer, Henrietta Public Library, NY

Voice of Youth Advocates

Years before the beginning of the narrative of How to Break a Boy, Olivia decided the way to be popular was to find the Queen Bee and be her best friend by whatever means necessary. It did not matter who Olivia had to step on, belittle, ostracize, or make fun of to get to the top of the social laddershe was up for the challenge. When she finds her best friend, Adrienne, sleeping with her boyfriend, Olivia decides it is time for revenge. She finds a boy to be her fake boyfriend and hatches a plan to rob Adrienne of her top-of-the-food-chain status. As her scorched-earth plan takes shape, Olivia holds no prisoners. Olivia is only slightly worried when her other best friend, her fake boyfriend, and a teacher all get caught in the cross fire between her and Adrienne. Readers who wonder if Olivia ever finds a conscience will be intrigued at the ways she is always able to justify her actions, no matter who she ends up hurting.How to Break a Boy is a story about a girl without a moral compass. The characters face little consequence for their actions and think nothing is wrong with wreaking havoc in the lives of those around them. It will be popular among those who find mean girls enthralling, and with the Pretty Little Liars crowd.Charla Hollingsworth.