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Worst-Case Scenario: A Novel
An enemies-to-lovers romance about nemeses who are forced to share their school’s Queer Alliance presidency following a tie in the election, new from beloved author Ray Stoeve
Sidney has one goal for their junior year. Well . . . two, if they’re being honest. Number become president of their school’s Queer Alliance club. And number keep their self-diagnosed anxiety in check so their grades don’t tank like they did last year.
But when the election results in a tie with none other than Sidney’s arch nemesis, the class clown Forrest, the two are forced to share the presidency until a revote at the end of term. Sidney expects Forrest to be insufferable, but it turns out that working together is . . . kind of nice?
As surprising feelings for Forrest emerge, Sidney’s techniques for managing their anxiety stop working. With the reelection approaching and assignments starting to pile up, will all this pressure be too much for Sidney to handle on their own?
Sidney has one goal for their junior year. Well . . . two, if they’re being honest. Number become president of their school’s Queer Alliance club. And number keep their self-diagnosed anxiety in check so their grades don’t tank like they did last year.
But when the election results in a tie with none other than Sidney’s arch nemesis, the class clown Forrest, the two are forced to share the presidency until a revote at the end of term. Sidney expects Forrest to be insufferable, but it turns out that working together is . . . kind of nice?
As surprising feelings for Forrest emerge, Sidney’s techniques for managing their anxiety stop working. With the reelection approaching and assignments starting to pile up, will all this pressure be too much for Sidney to handle on their own?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
8 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Ray Stoeve
5 books196 followersRAY STOEVE is the author of The Summer Love Strategy, Arden Grey, and Between Perfect and Real. They also contributed to the young adult anthology Take The Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance. They created the YA/MG Trans and Nonbinary Voices Masterlist, a database that tracks all books in those age categories written by trans authors about trans characters. When they’re not writing, they can be found gardening, making art in other mediums, or hiking their beloved Pacific Northwest. Find them online @raystoeve and www.raystoeve.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 16, 2025
I loved this—it felt so real to actual (queer) teenagers, and the mental health rep was at times hard to read (complimentary) but real. I also loved it as a former GSA advisor—I only wish my students were as motivated as these amazing kids 😂
November 11, 2025
overall a very good read, for me i got a tad confused in the pro nouns and who was trans, gay, bi etc as i felt there were to many characters.
the setting was perfect the storyline flowed well and i loved the ending in where Sidney finds something out ........
the setting was perfect the storyline flowed well and i loved the ending in where Sidney finds something out ........
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ray Stoeve is one of the best YA writers in the industry right meow, and they deserve way more recognition. Worst-Case Scenario is a much needed book giving readers a glimpse into living with OCD. it's also a much needed shot of queer joy.
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March 5, 2025"...an enemies-to-lovers romance about nemeses who are forced to share their school’s Queer Alliance presidency following a tie in the election."
my first 2026 cover!
my first 2026 cover!
November 16, 2025
Worst-Case Scenario captured my heart from the start. It gave real Heartstopper vibes—minus the graphic art & the British teens—but with the same warmth, sweetness, focus on young people finding their place. The club in the story is one of the book’s best features, offering the characters a sense of belonging & community. Honestly, I found myself wishing the author had shown how the club formed in the first place; that would’ve added such an interesting layer.
Representation-wise, the book shines. There are multiple sexual & gender identities present throughout, & it’s refreshing to see that in YA lit. That said, I wasn’t completely comfortable with how the author depicted characters of color. I can’t fully articulate it—just something in the milk ain’t clean there.
Sid’s mental health journey is the emotional core of the book. Poor Sid suffers for over a year with worsening OCD & intrusive thoughts, & it’s rough to witness. Thank goodness for their best friend Anna, because everyone else noticed Sid acting “off” but basically chose to be bystanders. Serious trigger warnings are necessary for this title—the way Sid describes what’s happening in their mind had my anxiety spiking!
One thing I wish had been developed more was Sid’s relationship with her father. Sid spends so much of the book criticizing him for & mulling over their sentiments about his addiction, while also wanting acceptance & understanding for their own struggles with OCD. The book gives a minimal glimpse at the connection between the two, but never fully explores it.
It felt like the story skimmed the surface before tying everything up too neatly & sweetly. I can appreciate that from a fairy-tale-ish YA angle, but if the goal was to reflect the realities of mental-health struggles, the author could’ve gone deeper & rawer.
Still, I love that this book expands awareness of the different types of OCD. So many people think “OCD = neat freak,” when there are so many forms, many of which are much darker & far less understood.
I’m not giving it less than 5 stars, though. It is a YA book, & maybe the author wanted to keep things gentler for younger readers. Despite its flaws, it’s heartfelt, affirming, & important—especially for teens navigating identity & mental health.
*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
Representation-wise, the book shines. There are multiple sexual & gender identities present throughout, & it’s refreshing to see that in YA lit. That said, I wasn’t completely comfortable with how the author depicted characters of color. I can’t fully articulate it—just something in the milk ain’t clean there.
Sid’s mental health journey is the emotional core of the book. Poor Sid suffers for over a year with worsening OCD & intrusive thoughts, & it’s rough to witness. Thank goodness for their best friend Anna, because everyone else noticed Sid acting “off” but basically chose to be bystanders. Serious trigger warnings are necessary for this title—the way Sid describes what’s happening in their mind had my anxiety spiking!
One thing I wish had been developed more was Sid’s relationship with her father. Sid spends so much of the book criticizing him for & mulling over their sentiments about his addiction, while also wanting acceptance & understanding for their own struggles with OCD. The book gives a minimal glimpse at the connection between the two, but never fully explores it.
It felt like the story skimmed the surface before tying everything up too neatly & sweetly. I can appreciate that from a fairy-tale-ish YA angle, but if the goal was to reflect the realities of mental-health struggles, the author could’ve gone deeper & rawer.
Still, I love that this book expands awareness of the different types of OCD. So many people think “OCD = neat freak,” when there are so many forms, many of which are much darker & far less understood.
I’m not giving it less than 5 stars, though. It is a YA book, & maybe the author wanted to keep things gentler for younger readers. Despite its flaws, it’s heartfelt, affirming, & important—especially for teens navigating identity & mental health.
*I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
#ThankGodForARCs
January 22, 2026
Content warnings for Worst-Case Scenario include: descriptions of mental health issues, intrusive thoughts, harm-based OCD, and suicidal OCD.
☆
☆
Sidney has one goal for their junior year. Well . . . two, if they’re being honest. Number become president of their school’s Queer Alliance club. And number keep their self-diagnosed anxiety in check so their grades don’t tank like they did last year. But when the election results in a tie with none other than Sidney’s arch nemesis, the class clown Forrest, the two are forced to share the presidency until a revote at the end of term. Sidney expects Forrest to be insufferable, but it turns out that working together is . . . kind of nice? As surprising feelings for Forrest emerge, Sidney’s techniques for managing their anxiety stop working. With the reelection approaching and assignments starting to pile up, will all this pressure be too much for Sidney to handle on their own?
~
"It's like, how do cis people know they are the gender they are? No one asks them to pinpoint it. They just feel it. So why can't we just feel it, without having to explain it?" I legitimately hate how accurate this is. It's a question and discussion I've had with multiple people over time.
~
I really enjoyed the exploration of OCD and the intrusive thoughts that some people deal with because of that. And I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't the stereotypical germ-based obsessions and hand-washing compulsions, though that was mentioned. It was also nice to see Sidney feel able to start being open with their friends about the intrusive thoughts they'd been dealing with. It was also nice to see trans characters where their transness isn't at the forefront of the story.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
☆
☆
Sidney has one goal for their junior year. Well . . . two, if they’re being honest. Number become president of their school’s Queer Alliance club. And number keep their self-diagnosed anxiety in check so their grades don’t tank like they did last year. But when the election results in a tie with none other than Sidney’s arch nemesis, the class clown Forrest, the two are forced to share the presidency until a revote at the end of term. Sidney expects Forrest to be insufferable, but it turns out that working together is . . . kind of nice? As surprising feelings for Forrest emerge, Sidney’s techniques for managing their anxiety stop working. With the reelection approaching and assignments starting to pile up, will all this pressure be too much for Sidney to handle on their own?
~
"It's like, how do cis people know they are the gender they are? No one asks them to pinpoint it. They just feel it. So why can't we just feel it, without having to explain it?" I legitimately hate how accurate this is. It's a question and discussion I've had with multiple people over time.
~
I really enjoyed the exploration of OCD and the intrusive thoughts that some people deal with because of that. And I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't the stereotypical germ-based obsessions and hand-washing compulsions, though that was mentioned. It was also nice to see Sidney feel able to start being open with their friends about the intrusive thoughts they'd been dealing with. It was also nice to see trans characters where their transness isn't at the forefront of the story.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
January 27, 2026
In Worst-Case Scenario by Ray Stoeve, the author has created a refreshing and honest teen romance that deals with gender identity, anxiety, OCD and mental health in a way that is authentic and realistic. From the start, Sidney is easy to like but so too is Forrest, even though the two seem to be very different, but those differences just add layers to the romance and the relationship the pair develop.
I love the way that relationship does develop as the two talk to the other and change how they interact. Sometimes in life, we don’t realize that we are missing out on a connection unless we open ourselves to the possibility and I love that aspect of the story, especially within the friend groups that surround Sidney and Forrest.
What is most interesting is how the depiction of Sidney’s mental health is handled, with respect but also with authenticity, showing us how Sidney feels but also how it is not seen as a terrible thing but as something Sidney just needs help with. I especially like how it depicts OCD outside the typical form we see on television.
If you like novels that deal with young adult relationships and mental health journeys, this one is worth taking a look at, especially for its refreshing and honest approach that also shows respect for those who struggle with any mental illness. I love the ending but also the relationship between Sidney and Forrest. It is a beautiful story.
I love the way that relationship does develop as the two talk to the other and change how they interact. Sometimes in life, we don’t realize that we are missing out on a connection unless we open ourselves to the possibility and I love that aspect of the story, especially within the friend groups that surround Sidney and Forrest.
What is most interesting is how the depiction of Sidney’s mental health is handled, with respect but also with authenticity, showing us how Sidney feels but also how it is not seen as a terrible thing but as something Sidney just needs help with. I especially like how it depicts OCD outside the typical form we see on television.
If you like novels that deal with young adult relationships and mental health journeys, this one is worth taking a look at, especially for its refreshing and honest approach that also shows respect for those who struggle with any mental illness. I love the ending but also the relationship between Sidney and Forrest. It is a beautiful story.
August 28, 2025
Thank you Abrams Books and Edelweiss for this eARC, these opinions are my own. So sweet! Sidney is starting their junior year of high school and they have just two goals this year. One they are sure to get and that’s to become the President of their schools Queer Alliance club. And the other is to get their anxiety in check. Things seem to be going to plan that is until Forrest, the class clown, is also nominated for President. Sidney can’t believe him, a few years ago he thought the Queer Alliance was a joke. He only joined last year shortly after coming out as trans. Plus he’ll take it all as a joke. Then the worst happens and they are named co-presidents. Can Sidney handle working with someone they consider an enemy? As the two work together Sidney slowly realizes there is more to Forrest than they originally thought. They’re even more surprised to find they enjoy working with him. Maybe all their anger and frustration towards Forrest has really been masking something else? With reelection coming up, homework piling up, and feelings they weren’t expecting can Sidney handle the pressure? A quick read that was highly delightful! Ray Stoeve writes a charming story full of heartfelt moments, laughter, anxiety struggles, and love!
December 21, 2025
(2.5/5) As far as representation (especially concerning mental illness), this was very well done and detailed. However, as far as books go, I struggled to get through this one. It gave me a lot of second hand anxiety and didn’t really give me a lot to latch onto. To be fair, I am also slowly aging out of YA, so reading about high school affairs are not the most intriguing to me. I think calling this book an enemies-to-lovers romance is really downplaying the main plot points and hyping up a substory that is lowkey underdeveloped.
January 23, 2026
Worst Case Scenario is a very relatable read that includes many different representations. I really liked the bonds formed between the characters because they felt very real to me. This story is something that many people have experienced and I think the relationships between the characters correlate to the story being told. Many messages stand out to me in this book also relating to my own personal experiences, but this is so much more than just a story. This is not a book that I would read for entertainment or to take a break, but this is a book I would read to feel seen and understood.
September 9, 2025
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
January 31, 2026
muito bom em tudo que se propõe a fazer 👍
February 5, 2026
lots of queer rep, easy read
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews