2018 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
A Texas Tayshas List Selection
One of Barnes and Noble's Most Anticipated Books for 2017
Grace wants out. Out of her house, where her stepfather wields fear like a weapon and her mother makes her scrub imaginary dirt off the floors. Out of her California town, too small to contain her big city dreams. Out of her life, and into the role of Parisian artist, New York director—anything but scared and alone.
Enter Gavin: charming, talented, adored. Controlling. Dangerous. When Grace and Gavin fall in love, Grace is sure it's too good to be true. She has no idea their relationship will become a prison she's unable to escape.
Deeply affecting and unflinchingly honest, this is a story about spiraling into darkness—and emerging into the light again.
“There is no puzzle to solve, just stark honesty and potent reminders that strong friends and a stronger will can be key to freeing oneself when caught between a rock and a hard place.”
“Bad Romance is a raw, honest, unrelenting novel. Demetrios writes with heartbreaking clarity about the way first love can turn from safe to dangerous, from beautiful to ugly. Brave, bold, and deeply felt, this book gets it in a profound way. I didn’t know I was waiting for a book like this, but it turns out, I’ve needed it for a long time.”
“A realistic, worthwhile look at dating violence and unhealthy relationships.”
“A pressing tale of the complicated ways love can go wrong. Like Speak, it is one of those rare books that can have a real, lasting impact on its readers, and can start important conversations.”
“There is no puzzle to solve, just stark honesty and potent reminders that strong friends and a stronger will can be key to freeing oneself when caught between a rock and a hard place.”
“Demetrios has an absolutely killer record with excellent contemp that cut unexpectedly deep and pull no punches when talking about the tougher side of adolescent life, so this one is absolutely at the top of my to-read list.”