Guest post by The Breakup Artists author Adriana Mather
Adriana Mather is the New York Times bestselling author of the How to Hang a Witch series and the Killing November series, with family roots that go back to Sleepy Hollow, the Salem Witch Trials, and the Titanic. Most recently she has embraced her love of swoon with her newest novels Mom Com and The Breakup Artists. She’s also an actor and producer and co-owns Zombot Pictures, a production company that makes feature films.
About The Breakup Artists: Adriana Mather, New York Times bestselling author of How to Hang a Witch, brings her signature wit, wild imagination, and all the feels to her new YA novel, The Breakup Artists—perfect for fans of Jennifer E. Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight.
Who doesn’t love a good meet-cute to swoon over or giggle about? Just in case you’re not familiar with this endearing term, a meet-cute is a playful, amusing moment when two characters meet and sparks fly! As someone who just crafted one for The Breakup Artists (number 3 on this list!), I can vouch that they do in fact lead to sigh-worthy romantic journeys. These memorable first encounters will melt your heart like ice-cream on a hot summer’s day!
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
To say it went badly is an understatement. Dimple and Rishi’s first encounter is a classic case of miscommunication. Their parents have decided to arrange a marriage for them, and while Rishi is all for it, Dimple is not, but that’s partly because she didn’t know anything about it. So when Rishi refers to her as his future wife, you can’t blame her for throwing her drink at him!
Love and Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
What is more romantic than a tackle? Well for Rowan, every little. He sees Addie tackle her older brother in a parking lot in Ireland and is immediately smitten. Sure, it’s a wee bit complicated considering Rowan is actually Addie’s brother’s friend. But he’s also attractive with an Irish accent, and drawn to her spunk and determination. Besides, he seems to understand her in a way very few people do.
The Breakup Artists by Adriana Mather
August has been secretly hired to break up Ella from her awful boyfriend. He devises a plan to bump into her at her fav coffee shop, but his timing is all wrong and at the exact moment he takes the top off his coffee, her elbow swings around, leading to a coffee-soaked Ella and a horrified August. Besides her never wanting to see to him again, August has another problem, he kinda really enjoys her. Maybe too much? Which is the last thing that can happen, not only because she’s his newest case, but because everything he’s told her so far has been a lie, including his name.
Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
Catherine “Lucky” Nam is a huge K-pop star who just performed in Hong Kong for her many adoring fans and is now trying to fall asleep in her fancy hotel. A not so great mix of sleep and anxiety medication and a deep desire for a hamburger, has her in the lobby in her slippers moments later where she runs into Jack Lim—a gifted photographer and tabloid paparazzo. What could possibly go right? Maybe everything?
Meet-Cute Diary by Emery Lee
Noah Ramirez has a super popular blog, the Meet Cute Diary, a collection of trans happily-ever-afters. There’s just one problem—all the stories are fake. When a troll exposes the blog as fiction, Noah’s world unravels. Then in comes Drew, who agrees to fake-date Noah to convince everyone that the stories are true and save the Diary. But when Noah’s feelings grow, he realizes that dating in real life isn’t the same as finding love on the page.
Tell Me How You Really Feel by Aminah Mae Safi
The first time Sana asked out a girl (Rachel) it was such a disaster that she never did it again. Meanwhile, Rachel was furious because she thought Sana was trying to prank her by asking her on a date. Now Rachel is an aspiring director and when it comes time for Rachel to cast her senior project, she knows without a doubt that there is no one more perfect for the lead than Sana. They have to try to get past their failed meet cute and make something beautiful together in this enemies-to-lovers romance.
I Love So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn
Fashion-obsessed Kimi takes an impromptu trip to Japan and meets a handsome local, Akira. Only he’s dressed as a costumed mochi mascot! Costume aside, he’s actually a med student, and the best part is he helps her rediscover her passion for creating clothes—and maybe something more.
The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
Gia’s prom plans go awry when her boyfriend dumps her in the parking lot of her high school prom. Desperate and frustrated she recruits a random stranger (who is just waiting to pick up his sister), Hayden, as her fake date. The task is simple: two hours, zero commitment, a few white lies. But could fake feelings turn real?
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
In the real world, Eliza is shy, awkward, and friendless. However, Eliza is also the anonymous creator of a hugely popular online comic. Wallace is its biggest fan. Online, Eliza flirts with Wallace. But when he transfers to her school, he doesn’t know who Eliza is in real life and they have the opportunity and the challenge of meeting all over again!
Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet
And last, but never least, a collection of diverse short stories by some amazing YA authors who have a love for hilarious and heart-thumping meet-cutes that will certainly make you smile and sigh!
These charming and unforgettable meet-cutes remind us that love can be found in the most unexpected and comical of circumstances. So, the next time you’re strolling through the park, swapping phones with a stranger, or even battling your professional rival, keep an open mind—you might just stumble upon your very own hilarious love story!
