We're a Bad Idea, Right?

by K.L. Walther

This stunning first edition of We’re A Bad Idea, Right? will feature special designed edges!

The business of love gets messy when two best friends decide to fake a romantic relationship in this uproarious and swoony novel by the bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules.

Audrey Barbour has had enough of following the rules. Eighteen years of being the perfect daughter—exceptional grades, enviable college acceptances, tame dating history—and still, her parents don’t trust her enough to let her study her passion, glassblowing, on a prestigious fellowship.

So when her best friend Henry proposes an outrageous fake-dating scheme to win back his ex-girlfriend, it feels like the first step to shaking up her perfect life. And the second? That comes when Audrey’s parents go out of town, sparking a high-risk, high-reward solution to pay for her fellowship—renting out her family’s Connecticut mansion online. With the help of her new fake-boyfriend, it shouldn’t be hard to pull off… right?  

But when her best intentions start to unravel, Audrey will have to reckon with who she is, what she wants, and what it really means to play life by her rules—all with her heart on the line.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Fake Dating, Young Adult Romance, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

K.L. Walther was born and raised in the rolling hills of Bucks County, Pennsylvania surrounded by family, dogs, and books. Her childhood was spent traveling the northeastern seaboard to play ice hockey. She attended a boarding school in New Jersey and went on to earn a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. She is happiest on the beach with a book, cheering for the New York Rangers, or enjoying a rom-com while digging into a big bowl of popcorn and M&Ms.

Reviews

[ella (locked in)]

I’m convinced KL Walther doesn’t sleep

[K.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen, I think it's very funny.

[Casey Reads 🌸]

Can’t wait to read this 🧡

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[hannah!]

its that time of year again when your local crazy klw fan (me) finds out a new book is coming out!

so what we know so far:
its grace and james' cousin !! she was mentioned in wwy, and all that was said is that she was in vienna doing the fellowship. so thats great, right? this also means that this is set before sorry, after while were young so we need to keep that in mind as well.

also loving the title, and the colour scheme!! its giving me life! AHHHHHHHHHHH

ANYWAYS MOTHER IS FEEDING US AND IM TOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!! also she commented on this review so YAY!!!!!

[brontësaurus]

pre-read
it's a bad idea, right?
seeing you tonight
fuck it, it's fine.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

this book was a bad idea, right?

[Marie]

A new K.L Walther book? Fake dating? I’m not sure I can wait until March, need this in my hands right now!

[Cora · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was cute!
Characters: I loved the fact that Audrey liked glassblowing, because it was so original and definitely not something I’d read before. Other than that though, I did find her to be a bit irritating. I mean, if one of my good friends started dating my ex without even saying anything to mean then I would probably be upset.

Romance: They were cute together, but the romance felt a little underdeveloped. They were just friends, and then suddenly they’re super in love…? It just didn’t seem super realistic to me. I also didn’t like the fact that Henry was so hung up on his ex.

Plot: I thought the plot was really good! It was certainly unique, which made it more entertaining because I really felt like I was reading something new!

Overall: I would definitely recommend this book, and it was definitely pretty good!

[kass! · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHUT UP THIS SOUNDS SO GOOD

MY FAV YA ROMANCE AUTHOR EVER

LIKE OMG I CANT WAIT ANY LONGER!

[Asabella]

i got the arc WHATTTTT?!?🤭

[Emily Hourihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this one early. This was my first K.L. Walther novel. I loved it. I loved the pop culture references in the novel. I also loved the plot with the rental property. I thought that Henry and Audrey's relationship was cute. I thought that the writing style was great for a Young Adult novel. I also thought the author was great at storytelling and keeping the plot and twists going. Overall, I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves a great romance.

[Lilian♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I love K.L. Walther's books SO MUCH!!!! She has the most unique writing style, and I eat it up in every one of her books!

I ADORED Henry in this book! I did get angry with him a few times, but then I learned why he did and said those things...😭

I thought it was so cool that our main character was a glass blower?! That is so stinking cool! Like what?!

I really like Audrey! (our main character) Usually, with the main female character in books, I find something I dislike about them, but I didn't have any problems with Audrey!!

This was a really good book that keeps you on your toes. I was just waiting for something to go wrong because the situation these characters got themselves in....YEESH. It stressed me out, and it is 100% FICTION!!! BAHAHA.

I also loved this couple🫶

AND JAMES AND ISA FROM WHILE WERE YOUNG WERE IN THIS BOOK!!! Audrey and James are cousins!! AHH!

Thank you, NetGalley.com, for the ARC! 🥰

[madison . ݁₊ ⊹]

6.21.25 ౨ৎ
does she not sleep at night??

[Alex (tessa’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friend to lovers?!? And Fake Dating?! I already know this one is going to change my life!!!

[Tanisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I have to start by saying that fake relationship romances are my absolute weakness. If I see that trope in a book, I am instantly sold. That was the case here, and I could not wait to dive in. It gave me all the giddy feels right from the first chapter, and I knew I was in for a good time.

Another thing that totally hooked me was the glass art part of the story. It immediately took me back to Born in Fire by Nora Roberts, which is one of my all-time favorite reads. That book made glass blowing seem so fascinating, and this one brought that same vibe. The main character here is still learning, but that actually made it feel fresh and even more interesting.

The story grabbed me right away and I kept telling myself I would stop after one more chapter, but you already know how that goes. What I really enjoyed was that the love story was not the only focus. The main conflict of the book mattered just as much, and watching the characters deal with it together made their romance feel way more real.
I also fell in love with the side characters. They were not just background filler, they had their own spark that made me want to know more about them. After a little snooping, I found out some of them show up in other books by the author. That is definitely going on my reading list.

By the end, I was honestly sad it was over. That is always the sign of a great read for me. I already know I will be picking up more of this author’s books once I knock out a few from my ever-growing TBR pile.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for this arc!!

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

"I love you, Audrey. So much more than I can ever express."

After reading “The Summer of Broken Rules,” I’ve been very excited to read K. L Walter’s other books! This arc of “We’re a Bad Idea, Right?” was my first other book of hers, and while I did not enjoy it as much, it was still a cute, fun and enjoyable read!

For me, it was a little bit difficult to get through the first few chapters, and there was also one or two long chapters, but other than that, the book was pretty fast-paced and easy to read.

One thing I wish was different, however, is that we had more romantic buildup between Henry and Audrey. This book features fake dating (which we love, of course 🤭) but I feel like we didn’t get too much development for when they started having actual romantic feelings outside of being platonic best friends. There also weren’t really any big plot twists or third act breaks ups (which I know a lot of people hate those in romance books, but I actually kind of enjoy them though) so if you want a light and quick read then you’d probably enjoy it!

There is also a singular scene that has suggestive content, aka spice. It’s not explicitly on the page, and it’s only for a few lines, but I do like to warn people as I know some readers prefer to read books that don’t hint at spice at all!

Overall, this book was enjoyable and I would recommend it.

"No way." He shook his head. "It wasn't a nightmare; it was definitely a dream." He tilted his head, smiled a little. "Because you were in it."

[Hazel Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC!

K.L. Walther's dreamy high school romance was PHENOMENAL. I don't think I could dislike a book this woman writes but nonetheless this was pure magic.💖 It has easily climbed the leaderboard to become my second favorite K.L. Walther book (The Summer of Broken Rules is my forever favorite book). If dreamy summer skies were a book it would be this one.

Audrey and Henry's story includes two of my all-time favorite tropes, fake dating and friends-to-lovers! Their story was so sweet and I couldn't stop reading trying to find out how they'd end up, not to mention their ADORABLEEE movie quote back-and-forth and Henry's unending nicknames for Audrey.

This concept was unlike anything else I've read and it was SO much fun. I loved reading about Audrey's glassblowing, and the vacation rental set-up led to so many adorable and hilarious scenes. K.L. Walther was spot-on when she said in her acknowledgments for this book that it is just so much fun.

This book was a treat and I highly reccomend it to any rom-com lovers, especially fans of the fake dating and friends-to-lovers tropes! I feel like I shouldn't have to say this but just in case, if you liked any of K.L. Walther's other books you will LOVEEEEEE this one!!!

🎧 - Daylight by Taylor Swift 🩷🧡

[Reagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book was technicolor. Audrey has always been the kids her parents could trust. And her best friend Henry is always her right hand man. So when Audrey’s parents leave her for two weeks and a decision about her future needed to be made, Audrey takes matters into her own hands and decides to rent out her house to pay for her glassblowing program. Not only that but Henry wants to win his ex back and Audrey wants to win over her crush. So they decide to do the only practical thing and fake date. It’s not a bad idea, right? WOW THIS BOOK WAS FUN! Henry described a dream he had as a roller coaster and honestly that’s how this book felt. I’d like to start this off by saying THANK YOU SO MUCH K.L. WALTHER FOR SENDING ME AN ARC! i promise to cherish it forever. NOW LETS GO! going into this book i was expecting a cutie little fake dating friends to lovers, AND I GOT THAT, BUT ALSO SO MUCH MORE! K.L. Walther is my queen of easter eggs and cameos and i loved seeing some familiar faces but also meeting some new ones 🥹 (in a well ordered universe it’s ellie and griff). i LOVED this friend group. i felt like i was part of their scheming and parties. i really loved audrey. and i loved her determination throughout the book. also HENRY MY ANGEL. henry and audrey are my reputation duo. i had such a fun time reading this and i was sad when it all ended because i just wanted to know what thing they were gonna plan next. all in all i really loved this book!
Song i thought of while reading:
Delicate - taylor swift

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of Risky Business will love this YA romance by @klwalther9
❌
Audrey is ready to take her glass blowing Etsy shop to the next level and attend a prestigious summer program to better her craft. Unfortunately her parents don’t want to fund it, instead insisting she attend The Wharton School of Business. After her parents head to Paris for a few weeks, Audrey mistakenly signs up for her program using her emergency bank account and now needs to raise $10,000 in two weeks. Enter her best friend and business partner, Henry, who is going through a tough break up. She offers to be his fake girlfriend to help him while he helps her set up her guest house as an Airbnb. Nothing about these plans could go wrong.
💡
The title, the setting, the green flags for the MMC—it all works for this summer YA romance from one of the best in the biz. I adore Walther’s young adult books and believe this will be a great addition to a high school library Already preordered my sprayed edges copy! This novel releases March 3!

CW: parental abandonment, alcohol, drug use, toxic friendship

I loved Henry, but wasn’t the biggest fan of Audrey and her instalove.

[embo.oks · Rating 4 out of 5]

K.L. Walther did it again with a fun and easy to read romcom. I think I read this in less than 24 hours.

I love the fake dating trope and thought it was well executed in this book. It was fun that Audrey was fake dating her best friend, usually the books I read with this trope have the fake dating between people who aren’t particularly close with each other so this was a fun change (I guess this book fake dating AND friends to lovers). Together Audrey and Henry were a fun pair, I really loved their closeness and how comfortable they were with each other. They also had relatively healthy communication for a couple in a romance novel. Plus, I love when couples have nicknames like they did!

I found the plot line of Audrey renting out her house while her parents were away to be quite entertaining. It led to some fun hijinks and it was fun to see her and her friend group work together to run things and cover it up. Although it definitely had me stressing at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Delacorte Romance for the ARC

4.25/5 ⭐️

[Mamawattto4 Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the ARC!

4 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

We’re a Bad Idea, Right? by K.L. Walther was such a fun and heartfelt read! I loved the fake-dating twist and the slow shift from friendship to something more. Audrey’s journey to break free from expectations and follow her passion was super relatable. The pacing dragged a bit at times, but the chemistry, emotion, and character growth made it totally worth it. Sweet, chaotic, and satisfying!

[Haley Hylton · Rating 3 out of 5]

too many characters and a lot going on with very little romance, but still a fun time

[୨୧ ☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ serenityy ﾟ｡･*.☆ ୨୧]

pre-read-
olivia rodrigo reference...?

[Tollie Lancaster Stinnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read one other K.L Walther book, and I loved it! So when I saw this one, with the fake dating trope, I requested it immediately. Audrey and Henry are best friends, and they decide to fake date to both land their dream relationships. Audrey is a glassblower (seriously, how cool and unique for a MC), and she has dreamed of landing the prestigious Blue Ridge apprenticeship, so when she does, all should be good, right? Unfortunately, her parents don’t support her, so she can’t afford to go…until she teams up with all her friends, and they find some hare-brained ways to make it happen.

What I loved about this book was the “circle of trust” group of friends—they were funny and all had their little quirks! I loved that we got a look into glassblowing! And the schemes had me coming back for more. If that was the whole premise, this book would have been 5 stars easy.

What threw me off was the relationship aspect. It seemed so forced and out of place. I know K.L. can write characters with chemistry (I’ve read them), but this one just didn’t have it for me. I liked Audrey and Henry, but I didn’t like them together. This is one fake dating trope I hoped didn’t turn real.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! This was a fun one!

[Erica Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many K.L. Walthers books, this book was a delight. It's fun, and silly, and honestly really just a vibe.
It's easy to get immersed into the Aubrey and Henry's world and their shenanigans, and you can't help but love so many of the characters.

This book follow's Aubrey Barbour (Or Holly/Joanna/Sabrina/etc. if you ask her best friend Henry, who loves lightly teasing her with Audrey Hepburn themed names) who is a senior in high school, and debating her options for what to do next. On one hand, she's got the opportunity of her dreams, a glassblowing fellowship that she probably won't be offered again. On the other, she could go the parent-approved route of the prestigious college she's been accepted to.

On top of all of that, Henry's long term girlfriend devastatingly ends their relationship, leaving him for her ex. In a plot to try to win her back, Aubrey and Henry decide that they could make her jealous by fake-dating (because that has definitely always worked out and no one has ever gotten their feelings hurt, right guys?!).

From here, we get a book full of senior year hijinks, "fake-ish" dating, and the scheme of the century to basically lease out her family's mother-in-law suite on an Airbnb like app to make enough money to pay for Aubrey's glassblowing fellowship.

I had a lot of fun with this book, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted, easy to sink into read that has a really cute YA romance storyline.

Thank you to Netgalley, K.L Walthers, Random House Children's Books, and Delacorte Romance for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I SAW THAT I GOT THE ARC!!!!!!

I'm just going to start with this: Anything K.L. Walther writes is pretty much automatically a great summer read, and this book was no exception.

First up, the plot: it’s classic K.L. Walther—fun, fast-paced, and with genuine friendship throughout, and with that perfect summer vibe. Audrey and Henry’s “will-they-won’t-they” romance is perfectly woven into a story where the main focus is on changing friendships, figuring out life after high school (and in high school, let's be honest), and finding the courage to take risks. Instead of just a typical romance, the plot spends time on Audrey’s uncertainty about her future, glassblowing career, and navigating her messy family and social life, which really helped develop her character. I actually liked that twist, even if it was unexpected, because somehow the story always made it back to her main issue with Henry!

The romance between Audrey and Henry was cute but felt sliiiiiiiiightly off. I get the whole thing with the fake dating, but I feel like it was forced just a little bit. Their dynamic felt more like best friends figuring things out—and even when they do get together, Audrey's “oooh I'm in love!” moment kind of snuck up on me. It was believable, just maybe slightly rushed, because there wasn't that much (sober) thinking we could see that would lead her to that conclusion. Also, heads up: there’s more spice here than in Walther’s other books—not a bad thing, just something to know.

Character time!

Audrey is so relatable—she messes up, stresses about the future, sometimes says the wrong thing—and it made me root for her more. Also, I'm there for her impulsive decisions, whether it be the Bleachella hair or the spur of the moment house party.

Henry is adorable and kind, but honestly gave off best friend vibes more than “meant to be” romance for most of the story, but I still loved him for Audrey. I know he was supposed to be stiff because Audrey was moving to NC and he doesn't like long distance, but it didn't ever feel like he was fully invested, even when he was supposed to be. Also, his moms were actually amazing.

I came to love Ellie as the book went on; at first I wasn't sure, but she grew on me. Not your typical ex-girlfriend, she kind of helps out Audrey even though she still is kind of in love with Henry.

I'm going to be honest. Tate absolutely ran the show. She’s hilarious, bold, and just plain iconic—her scenes were always my favorite. Not to mention the amazing hair salon she runs?!?!

Special shoutout to James, too—the best chill-but-caring adult I’ve read in a while. He gave Audrey space but was always there when she needed it, and that just made the book that much better. Also, he and Isa are so adorable together.

The Taylor Swift references? Chef’s kiss. Seriously, as a Swiftie, I appreciated every single one.

One more thing I have to mention: K.L. Walther dropping in little references and connections to her other books was the best. If you’re a returning reader, you’ll have so much fun spotting all the Easter eggs!

Overall, "We're a Bad Idea, Right?" is perfect if you love stories about complicated friendships, life transitions, and a romance that’s sweet but not the whole story. Also, with well-written side characters, a fun plot, and enough Taylor Swift content to keep any fan smiling. I had such a great time reading this; you will cheer the readers on and (mentally) yell at them as necessary.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey’s passion is glassblowing, but her parents won’t let her follow it on a prestigious fellowship. So, when they go on a three week vacation to France, Audrey decides to rebel a little… First, she agrees to fake date her best friend Henry to make his ex jealous, and second, she decides to rent out their guest house to make enough money to pay for the fellowship. You can imagine how well THAT goes….

This book had all the usual vibes of a K.L. Walther book: lots of shenanigans, lovable & relatable characters, and cute romance.

I really love both Audrey and Henry! They’re both realistic and relatable. Their passions, glassblowing & film/law, respectively, really came through the pages.

I think it’s super cool that Audrey’s passion is glassblowing because that’s not something I’ve ever read about in a book or even know much about. I loved seeing Audrey become more confident as the book went on and especially as the deadline approached for the fellowship money/her parents getting home. She isn’t a very rebellious person, but when it comes to glassblowing she’s not afraid to defy her parents.

As for Henry, he’s a pretty cautious person, but when it comes to supporting Audrey he’s down to do whatever, even helping her rent out her house. I absolutely love Henry! He’s hilarious and sweet and always quoting movies. He’s such a good friend to everyone.

There were quite a few side characters in the book. Of the main ones, I really enjoyed Ellie and her little sister Tate. Even though Ellie wasn’t a main character, her storyline stood out to me. And her sister is the sweetest and I would love to see more of her down the line when she’s older! I’m not the biggest fan of Griff, but he’s alright.

And I LOVEEEEE the cameos from James and Isa & Luke and Charlie🥹 While We’re Young and Maybe Meant To Be are my two fav books in the K.L. Waltherverse so ahhhhh

The plot of this book is pretty wild. The whole time I kept thinking how BAD of an idea renting out the guest house/ house was. Which, thankfully, the characters were very aware of lol. But they did it anyway. And I enjoyed every second of it! It was so FUN!

Fake dating is my favorite trope. I just love the chaos it brings. However, I wasn’t completely feeling Audrey and Henry’s relationship for most of the book. I love them separately and I adore them as friends, but their chemistry as two people dating wasn’t really there. I did see it more by the end of the book, though. I think they’re cute together, but I think the renting out the house plot overshadowed the fake dating plot a bit.

Overall, this book was super fun! The friendship between not only the two main characters but also the side characters really shined. If you like K.L. Walther’s other books or are just looking for a fun, slightly chaotic YA novel, I recommend checking We’re A Bad Idea, Right? out!

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s talk about We’re a Bad Idea, Right? by K.L. Walther, because this book had me in my feels, grinning like an idiot, and occasionally yelling “JUST KISS ALREADY!” at the pages. It’s witty, heartfelt, messy, and has that addictive romcom energy that keeps you flipping chapters until way too late at night.

The setup: two characters who absolutely, 100% know they’re “a bad idea.” They’ve got history, baggage, and every reason in the world not to risk it, but also undeniable chemistry and banter that could cut glass. That push-and-pull tension is the spine of the book, and Walther milks it for all it’s worth. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to shake the characters and then immediately hug them because their connection is so obvious and so electric.

The FMC is a total standout. She’s sharp, funny, and flawed in all the best ways, the kind of fmc you want to grab coffee with just to hear her rant about life. The MMC? Broody, charming, and carrying enough “I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help it” energy to fuel an entire trope shelf. Together, their dynamic is magnetic. The banter made me laugh out loud, but it’s the quieter, more vulnerable moments that really stuck with me.

Walther’s writing shines here. It’s fast-paced and fun, but she also sneaks in those emotional gut punches when you least expect them. One minute you’re cackling at a sarcastic one-liner, the next you’re clutching your chest because a line hits a little too close to home. That balance between humor and heart is what makes the book work so well.

Now, why 4 stars instead of 5? The middle dragged just a tiny bit for me. Some of the will-they-won’t-they back-and-forth felt a little repetitive, like we were circling the same emotional beats without pushing forward. I also wanted just a bit more depth in the side characters, they had potential to add even more richness but stayed mostly in the background. Still, the core romance was strong enough to keep me invested straight through.

The payoff? Satisfying. The angst, the buildup, the slow-burn tension, it all comes together in a way that feels earned. And yes, the ending made me kick my feet like I was watching my favorite romcom finale.

Final thoughts: We’re a Bad Idea, Right? is funny, swoony, and packed with chemistry. It’s a story about risking the mess for the sake of love, even when logic says you shouldn’t, and that’s what makes it so relatable. Four solid stars from me because while it wasn’t flawless, it absolutely delivered the feels, the laughs, and the swoon I wanted.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Delacorte Romance and K. L. Walther for the ARC copy of We’re a Bad Idea Right?!!

First off I have to start by saying how grateful I am for this book. I had been stuck in an reading slump for several weeks, not being able to finish a single book, and feeling that fire for reading slowly start dwindling… That was until I picked up this book. I knew already that I loved K. L. Walther’s writing, as I read What Happens After Midnight a couple years ago, but had no clue it was exactly what I needed to get back into reading again. So all that to say thank you to K. L Walther for writing this amazing book!

Now for the review… We’re a Bad Idea Right? combines several of my favorite tropes into one fun and exciting book. The fake dating was what drew me in originally. Audrey and Henry best friends on the verge of starting new chapters of their lives after graduation, but run into a few road blocks when Audrey gets into her dream fellowship but her parents aren’t on board, and Henry’s gf unexpectedly breaks up with him for her ex. So obviously the solution is fake dating right?

Audrey and Henry are literally the cutest people and couple ever. All the move references? iconic. The love they have for each other knows no ends and they would do anything for each other, including renting out Audrey’s home. Seeing their relationship grow stronger through everything, as well as romantically, was beautiful and made me giddy.

Also, all our side character were amazing and brought so much life and joy to the book. Each one played a different part in the venture and without them, the whole thing would have gone down. Ellie and Griff were really the stars of the side character show though, as well as Tate cause she’s an icon!

Overall a 5 star book from me and I am so thankful that I got to read it early! We’re a Bad Idea Right is out March 2026, but go check out some of K. L. Walther’s other books while you wait to pick this one up cause you won’t be disappointed!

[Lauryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly recommended Spring Break or summertime read, We're a Bad Idea, Right? by K.L. Walther was an absolute delight! This book had me reminiscing about my high school years, and I loved how modern and natural it felt. For readers looking for that next fun, warm, cute romance read - this is your book!!

Non-Spoiler Book Summary
Audrey Barbour is not your average 18-year-old. Excelling in school and working shifts at her local catering company, she also runs her own glassblowing business with her closest friend, Henry Chen. Audrey's talent shines through as she not only gets accepted to Wharton Business School but also lands an incredible apprenticeship to further her glassblowing skills. Thus begins her journey through the challenges of early adulthood, as she grapples with her future and her parents' expectations.

Things then take a turn when a personal matter complicates her life: Henry has recently broken up with his girlfriend and is determined to win her back. In a comedic twist, he asks Audrey to fake-date him to help rekindle his romance.

With so many engaging elements, I was fully entertained throughout the book. I can't wait to dive into more of Walther's works to see if they are just as enjoyable!

Reviewer's Overall Thoughts
• I loved the modern take on the challenges Audrey faces, such as renting her parents' cottage online. It felt incredibly relatable for younger audiences and had me laughing like I was watching an early 2000s summer flick.
• Henry's quirky one-liners were both funny and endearing, adding a delightful dimension to his character.
• The diverse cast of characters was fantastic, with each personality contributing to the story without feeling overwhelming. Their interactions truly brought the narrative to life.

Thank you to Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for this advance reader copy and the opportunity to submit a review.

[Blurb It Down Official · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’re a Bad Idea, Right? is the literary equivalent of a golden summer evening—warm, charming, and a little bit chaotic in the best way. K.L. Walther once again proves she knows exactly how to write teen romance that feels both dreamy and grounded, and this time, she’s serving up the perfect blend of fake dating and friends-to-lovers tropes—with a twist of glassblowing and house rentals.

Audrey is balancing a lot: managing summer rentals in her family’s home, navigating responsibility, and dealing with the weight of her own expectations. Enter Henry—easygoing, full of nicknames, and the exact kind of sunshine that sneaks up on you. Their chemistry is undeniable, made even more delicious by their slow shift from casual friendship to something far deeper (and far messier).

Their banter—especially the movie quotes and Henry’s goofy pet names—adds so much personality to the story. It’s not just cute fluff; it’s character development wrapped in playful dialogue. The fake dating setup is familiar, but Walther gives it a refreshing spin through clever scenes (thank you, awkward vacation guests) and emotional beats that land just right.

If anything, I did wish for a bit more insight into how Audrey and Henry became close in the first place—it felt like we jumped into their story mid-summer. But their dynamic is so engaging, it’s a small quibble in an otherwise delightful romance.

For readers who like:
- YA romance
- Adorable banter
- Fake dating

Final Verdict
This book is pure serotonin for rom-com fans. With a heart full of summer charm and a couple worth rooting for from page one, We’re a Bad Idea, Right? is a perfect pick for readers looking for something fun, tender, and impossible to put down. Walther delivers a romance that sparkles—sometimes literally—and leaves you grinning like a fool.

Grateful to NetGalley, Delacorte Romance and K.L. Walther for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.