The Falling in Love Montage

Two girls embark on a summer of montage-worthy dates (with a few strings attached) in this hilarious and heartfelt LGBTQ romance that’s perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han.

Seventeen-year-old cynic Saoirse Clarke isn’t looking for a relationship. But when she meets mischievous Ruby, that rule goes right out the window. Sort of.

Because Ruby has a loophole in mind: a fake dating agreement for a summer of all the best cliché movie montage dates, with a definite ending come fall—no broken hearts, no messy breakup. It would be the perfect plan, if they weren’t forgetting one thing about the Falling in Love Montage: when it’s over, the characters have fallen in love...for real.

Ciara Smyth’s debut is a delightful, multilayered YA rom-com that will make you laugh, cry, and absolutely fall in love.

It’s the perfect plan for a no-strings summer. What could possibly go wrong?

• A Summer Fling: Saoirse’s a cynic and Ruby’s a romantic, but they both agree on one thing: a summer of movie-montage dates with a strict no-feelings-attached clause and a definite end date.
• Heartfelt and Hilarious: Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Jenny Han, this story balances laugh-out-loud moments with a raw, emotional core that will have you rooting for them from page one.
• Coming of Age Story: Beyond the romance, it’s a moving look at complicated family dynamics, dealing with a parent’s illness, and figuring out who you are when your future feels uncertain.
• LGBTQ Love Story: A funny, charming, and authentic teen lesbian romance that celebrates all the swoon-worthy, awkward, and unforgettable moments of first love.

“A charming romp of a rom-com about the delights and terrors of falling in love. Saoirse is a heroine for the ages; she is smart, flawed, funny, and—when she lets her guard down—achingly vulnerable. This book will make your heart sing. Read it.” - Misa Sugiura, award-winning author of It's Not Like It's a Secret and This Time Will Be Different

“A slow-burn summer romance narrated by a beautifully snarky heroine who likes to pretend that she doesn’t have a heart of gold. This book was made for those endless-feeling summer nights.” - Aminah Mae Safi, author of Not the Girls You're Looking For and Tell Me How You Really Feel

“A snarky and sincere romp through meet-cutes and grand romantic gestures, this book is a must-read for fans of Becky Albertali and Morgan Matson.” - Ashley Poston, author of Geekerella and The Princess and the Fangirl

“A book that manages to be both tenderly gutting and absolutely hilarious. I want to be best friends with Saoirse Clarke.” - Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights

“A joyous, hilarious, big-hearted book with the kind of electric, rollicking voice that makes you want to live in its pages forever.” - Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee

“Everything I wanted and so much more. How refreshing to read about two girls who like girls who find each other in the perfect meet cute. You’ll want to read this one again and again.” - Jaye Robin Brown, author of Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit and The Meaning of Birds

“The romantic story all queer girls deserve: funny, flirty, and absolutely perfect.” - Camryn Garrett, author of Full Disclosure

"A meet-cute in the style of Jenny Han, and just as sweet and cinematic as YA rom-com fans will expect." - Booklist

“Delightfully brash and no-nonsense. Pleasantly and audaciously fills a gap in queer romance.”

? “An emotionally stirring queer romance with witty, playful dialogue.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Saoirse and Ruby set the standard for the genre of lesbian romantic comedy. A fun romance with substance.” - School Library Journal