Mini-Review: The Break Up Artist by Philip Siegel

The Break Up Artist by Philip Siegel
336 Pages
Release Date: April 29th, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Contemporary
Rating:  2 STARS

Goodreads Summary:
Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples. 



After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.

One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.

No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy.

I had mixed feelings for this book especially on different aspects. The Break Up Artist is definitely a book emphasizing perspective and how everything really isn't black and white. The concept of a break up artist was actually pretty cool and I think the only reason it overall didn't reach my expectations was because Becca's reasoning (while it made sense to an extent) could be easily contradicted. It might also be me and my mind set of letting things be and not really messing up with another's life. I really liked the plot and how she has to deal with Huxley and sort of become this new person yet also begin to see the true-ness in Steve's and Huxley's relationship.

Becca did irritate in the beginning with her ignorance and it was a bit hard for me to read especially with how much I contradicted her reasons or actions. I did think that she had some good cases in which it made sense for her to break a couple up. I really wasn't a fan of her sister, Diane. She basically made Becca think and encourage this business even though she knew otherwise. Diane's influence on her plus Becca's loyalty to her sister just made it seem like she in a way took advantage of that. Val was a pretty cool character and I think she would have been the perfect person for Becca to tell her secret identity. Her romantic self would have helped balance and create a new point of view to being "the break up artist". There really wasn't much romance and Ezra was just a character that developed Becca's character by the end.

The Break Up Artist isn't for everyone and does take some adjusting to do. With a great end and good writing albeit bit slow pace, I would only really recommend this book to contemporary lovers who want to give this book a chance. Just because I wasn't a huge fan of this book doesn't mean you may not like it. So if you have the urge to check it out, go for it. Happy Readings!