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Hallie’s Rules for a Recovering Romantic
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26Perfect for fans of Erin Baldwin and Elise Bryant, this sapphic rom-com—a companion novel to Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love—stars a girl determined to reinvent herself, in life and in love.
Hallie loves romance, but it doesn’t seem to love her back. Her six-time broken heart can attest to that.
So when Hallie has the chance to attend a prestigious academic summer camp, she sees an opportunity not just to better herself, but to reinvent herself. Into a new Hallie who will succeed where the old one failed—in school, friends, and especially love.
First, a fresh start—which means no romance, all summer. If Hallie’s fortitude is immediately tested by Julia, her gorgeous camp roommate with an uncrackable icy shell, then all the better! Reinvention is never easy!
Yet as Hallie and Julia get closer, Hallie’s heart is in more danger than ever. With the prospect of real love on the line, can Hallie trust that New Hallie won’t make the mistakes that she did? Or is Julia looking for someone else—the unfiltered, unaltered, real Hallie?
Wish You Weren’t Here meets I Think I Love You in this sweet, summer rom-com, where plans go wonderfully astray, the best rules are broken ones, and love might actually be just around the corner.
Hallie loves romance, but it doesn’t seem to love her back. Her six-time broken heart can attest to that.
So when Hallie has the chance to attend a prestigious academic summer camp, she sees an opportunity not just to better herself, but to reinvent herself. Into a new Hallie who will succeed where the old one failed—in school, friends, and especially love.
First, a fresh start—which means no romance, all summer. If Hallie’s fortitude is immediately tested by Julia, her gorgeous camp roommate with an uncrackable icy shell, then all the better! Reinvention is never easy!
Yet as Hallie and Julia get closer, Hallie’s heart is in more danger than ever. With the prospect of real love on the line, can Hallie trust that New Hallie won’t make the mistakes that she did? Or is Julia looking for someone else—the unfiltered, unaltered, real Hallie?
Wish You Weren’t Here meets I Think I Love You in this sweet, summer rom-com, where plans go wonderfully astray, the best rules are broken ones, and love might actually be just around the corner.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 7, 2026
313 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 8, 2026
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
I’ve loved Jessica Lewis’s books since her debut, Bad Witch Burning, and each new release just further cements how much I love her books and stories. After Nav’s book last year, I knew I needed to and could not wait to get my hands on Hallie’s book, and this was so good!!
Hallie feels like she’s a failure and not good enough, especially after a few of her exes have treated her poorly or denigrated her, plus the pressure from her parents to be The Best in all things and shaming her for not doing better the first time she took SAT. But this summer she’s determined to change and be better, starting by swearing off romance and planning to be the best at Carnegie Camp for Young Scholars.
It was so amusing seeing Hallie develop small crushes on everyone initially, but then as she settles in and makes friends, things start feeling a lot smoother. But things with her cabinmate, Julia, aren’t as easy to move past because the more she sees and gets to know her, the deeper her feelings grow until Hallie is playing a constant tug-of-war inside herself because she really likes Julia, but she wants to change and that’s change means no romance.
This was such an excellent YA and I really loved the ways Gia’s mom, Ms Flores who is the sponsor for this year’s camp, is trying to get the kids to realize they don’t have to study to the exclusion of all else and pushing them to learn new skills, especially with the life skills she brings into the curriculum. I also loved how she was there to listen and help each of the campers, and how we see so many different types of growth among the characters.
I spent so much of the book wanting to hug Hallie super tight because it hurt to see how she believed she needed to earn the chocolate bar and criticizing herself for not getting and being “better.” There is so much emotional stuff happening, but I love the friendships and the way Hallie and the others are able to be kids and learn how to back off on some of the pressure.
This was just so sweet and perfect and a delight of a book. I loved Hallie and Julia becoming closer and the ways Julia respected Hallie’s rules, but also kept trying to get her to see that she didn’t need to change and all the things Hallie saw as flaws weren’t always bad traits. I love seeing Nav and Gia, and seeing more of Nav’w dynamic with Hallie and just how close their friendship is. There’s really just so many good elements, and I cannot wait to see what we’ll get next from Jessica Lewis.
I’ve loved Jessica Lewis’s books since her debut, Bad Witch Burning, and each new release just further cements how much I love her books and stories. After Nav’s book last year, I knew I needed to and could not wait to get my hands on Hallie’s book, and this was so good!!
Hallie feels like she’s a failure and not good enough, especially after a few of her exes have treated her poorly or denigrated her, plus the pressure from her parents to be The Best in all things and shaming her for not doing better the first time she took SAT. But this summer she’s determined to change and be better, starting by swearing off romance and planning to be the best at Carnegie Camp for Young Scholars.
It was so amusing seeing Hallie develop small crushes on everyone initially, but then as she settles in and makes friends, things start feeling a lot smoother. But things with her cabinmate, Julia, aren’t as easy to move past because the more she sees and gets to know her, the deeper her feelings grow until Hallie is playing a constant tug-of-war inside herself because she really likes Julia, but she wants to change and that’s change means no romance.
This was such an excellent YA and I really loved the ways Gia’s mom, Ms Flores who is the sponsor for this year’s camp, is trying to get the kids to realize they don’t have to study to the exclusion of all else and pushing them to learn new skills, especially with the life skills she brings into the curriculum. I also loved how she was there to listen and help each of the campers, and how we see so many different types of growth among the characters.
I spent so much of the book wanting to hug Hallie super tight because it hurt to see how she believed she needed to earn the chocolate bar and criticizing herself for not getting and being “better.” There is so much emotional stuff happening, but I love the friendships and the way Hallie and the others are able to be kids and learn how to back off on some of the pressure.
This was just so sweet and perfect and a delight of a book. I loved Hallie and Julia becoming closer and the ways Julia respected Hallie’s rules, but also kept trying to get her to see that she didn’t need to change and all the things Hallie saw as flaws weren’t always bad traits. I love seeing Nav and Gia, and seeing more of Nav’w dynamic with Hallie and just how close their friendship is. There’s really just so many good elements, and I cannot wait to see what we’ll get next from Jessica Lewis.
February 25, 2026
I wish I enjoyed this more than I did. Hallie is a likable protagonist, but her friends at camp are all so one-dimensional that I didn't care about any of them. It kind of felt like the author was just trying to represent different queer identities- Cam is nonbinary, Teddy is aro/ace, and Caroline is trans- but didn't bother to develop them beyond that. Julia's character is only fleshed out more because she's the love interest.
There is also a lot of repetition in Hallie's internal monologue that it became grating to read. She's had so many terrible relationships that she's wary of falling for anyone else, she wants to focus on her academics, she likes Julia, but Julia is stand-offish most of the time. And so on.
There is also a lot of repetition in Hallie's internal monologue that it became grating to read. She's had so many terrible relationships that she's wary of falling for anyone else, she wants to focus on her academics, she likes Julia, but Julia is stand-offish most of the time. And so on.
October 14, 2025
I was able to read an early copy of Jessica Lewis’ second rom-com, Hallie’s Rules for a Recovering Romantic, and I’m STILL floating from it. I loved Nav and Hallie’s dynamic in the first book, and Hallie’s stand-alone story holds up with just as much sweetness. This story dove a lot deeper into the hardship of queer love in unwelcoming spaces, and reminded me why finding your people and not jumping to conclusions is so important. This was a book I wish I had when I was 16.
And I know you’re all wondering, so let me put your worry to rest: the dog in this book is another very, very good boy ❤️
And I know you’re all wondering, so let me put your worry to rest: the dog in this book is another very, very good boy ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Books with lessons to learn are so important, and this one? It truly hit me in the heart. This story teaches how to love yourself for who you are, that you are enough, that everyone has imperfections and that’s okay, that you don’t need to change yourself for others.
Self Love. In my opinion self love is such an important lesson, because if we don’t love ourself how can we love anybody else? Trusting that you are enough is so important and something I make sure everyone around me knows, but I do majorly struggle to practice what I preach, so this book did catch me in my feelings.
Hallie is a beautiful character inside and out. She’s like a vacuum, she sucks out information from everyone she’s ever known, and retains it. She knows a little on astrology, she likes horror movies, she knows how to change a tire, how to play basketball and please ask her about bonsai trees. But Hallie has learned all of this from her exes, aka her failed relationships, these are their interests and not Hallie’s. So when she gets to spend her summer at a prestigious camp to study for her SAT resit, she decides to also use the time at camp reinventing herself, no romance, no horror movies, no impulsivity, no jungkook. Of course this goes extremely well and Hallie definitely does not have a huge crush on her roommate Julia. Definitely not.
Julia has her walls up, she has no interest in making friends at camp, she is here to win, get herself a new laptop and ace the SATs. Julia also is extremely bad at waking up in time every morning, extremely bad at life skills, but basically Mozart when it comes to music. Hallie wants to be ‘best friends’ with Julia, to break her icy exterior, to help her wake up on time in the morning, to help her learn how to boil an egg, and then maybe Julia could help Hallie with music! It’s a solid plan. They can help each other!
People who love Smash Or Pass by Birdie Schae will love this book. Carnegie Camp is an academic focused camp but also mainly known for its crazy parties, this year however, everything changes. Actively sponsored by Ms Flores, the camp now runs on a schedule of life skills classes and sat prep classes, with pop up sessions and smores. There is a SOLID No Participation Trophies rule and a point system. Camp just became competitive. Julia is competitive. Julia has to win. Hallie has to win. They can help each other with their weaknesses. Working as a team will benefit both of them. They definitely aren’t friends though, that’s against who Julia is, so just two people who hang out and help each other, and definitely not in love either, because that’s against Hallie’s rules. This is so going to work out. This story is BRILLIANT. Room mates, to team mates, to friends, to lovers, it’s perfect, it’s beautiful.
Self Love. In my opinion self love is such an important lesson, because if we don’t love ourself how can we love anybody else? Trusting that you are enough is so important and something I make sure everyone around me knows, but I do majorly struggle to practice what I preach, so this book did catch me in my feelings.
Hallie is a beautiful character inside and out. She’s like a vacuum, she sucks out information from everyone she’s ever known, and retains it. She knows a little on astrology, she likes horror movies, she knows how to change a tire, how to play basketball and please ask her about bonsai trees. But Hallie has learned all of this from her exes, aka her failed relationships, these are their interests and not Hallie’s. So when she gets to spend her summer at a prestigious camp to study for her SAT resit, she decides to also use the time at camp reinventing herself, no romance, no horror movies, no impulsivity, no jungkook. Of course this goes extremely well and Hallie definitely does not have a huge crush on her roommate Julia. Definitely not.
Julia has her walls up, she has no interest in making friends at camp, she is here to win, get herself a new laptop and ace the SATs. Julia also is extremely bad at waking up in time every morning, extremely bad at life skills, but basically Mozart when it comes to music. Hallie wants to be ‘best friends’ with Julia, to break her icy exterior, to help her wake up on time in the morning, to help her learn how to boil an egg, and then maybe Julia could help Hallie with music! It’s a solid plan. They can help each other!
People who love Smash Or Pass by Birdie Schae will love this book. Carnegie Camp is an academic focused camp but also mainly known for its crazy parties, this year however, everything changes. Actively sponsored by Ms Flores, the camp now runs on a schedule of life skills classes and sat prep classes, with pop up sessions and smores. There is a SOLID No Participation Trophies rule and a point system. Camp just became competitive. Julia is competitive. Julia has to win. Hallie has to win. They can help each other with their weaknesses. Working as a team will benefit both of them. They definitely aren’t friends though, that’s against who Julia is, so just two people who hang out and help each other, and definitely not in love either, because that’s against Hallie’s rules. This is so going to work out. This story is BRILLIANT. Room mates, to team mates, to friends, to lovers, it’s perfect, it’s beautiful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early.
Hallie's Rules for a Recovering Romantic follows Hallie, a teenager at an academic achievement summer camp who wants to reinvent herself and be solely academic minded but finds herself falling for her roommate.
I really enjoyed this book! Hallie’s point of view was very energetic and entertaining, almost too much so, but Julia’s quiet intensity was a perfect balance to her chaos. I thought the romance was super sweet and I really loved how slowly and believably it developed. I also liked seeing the camp activities and how both girls were able to grow and change throughout the book.
I did feel like Hallie was a bit too much “all or nothing” in her plans for Hallie 2.0 and that Cam was a very unlikable character for most of the book. But Hallie’s plans did fit her personality and the pressure she received from her family and I was very excited to see a non binary character in Cam, especially one whose pronouns and identity were woven seamlessly into the story.
Thank you again to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this early.
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars.
Hallie's Rules for a Recovering Romantic follows Hallie, a teenager at an academic achievement summer camp who wants to reinvent herself and be solely academic minded but finds herself falling for her roommate.
I really enjoyed this book! Hallie’s point of view was very energetic and entertaining, almost too much so, but Julia’s quiet intensity was a perfect balance to her chaos. I thought the romance was super sweet and I really loved how slowly and believably it developed. I also liked seeing the camp activities and how both girls were able to grow and change throughout the book.
I did feel like Hallie was a bit too much “all or nothing” in her plans for Hallie 2.0 and that Cam was a very unlikable character for most of the book. But Hallie’s plans did fit her personality and the pressure she received from her family and I was very excited to see a non binary character in Cam, especially one whose pronouns and identity were woven seamlessly into the story.
Thank you again to HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this early.
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This book was SO cute. I’m very old but love reading queer YA as it wasn’t available when I was a kid, but this was my first by Jessica Lewis- important because this is a companion novel/sort of sequel to Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love, which I didn’t realize until I was nearly done with the story. I will seek out the first book as soon as I can because this one was great- Lewis really captures teen angst in Hallie, our MC who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. And honestly, I read a ton of sapphic romance and this book has one of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever read (the fireflies!). Very sweet, definitely recommend.
This book was SO cute. I’m very old but love reading queer YA as it wasn’t available when I was a kid, but this was my first by Jessica Lewis- important because this is a companion novel/sort of sequel to Nav’s Foolproof Guide to Falling in Love, which I didn’t realize until I was nearly done with the story. I will seek out the first book as soon as I can because this one was great- Lewis really captures teen angst in Hallie, our MC who seems to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. And honestly, I read a ton of sapphic romance and this book has one of the most romantic scenes I’ve ever read (the fireflies!). Very sweet, definitely recommend.
October 10, 2025
I had the pleasure of beta-reading this manuscript and Jessica Lewis has once again proved herself a master of depth, heart, romance and fun. Hallie is such a delightful main character- so determined to be better even to the detriment of her own happy-after. Throw in summer camp shenanigans, some very real family dramas, a camp sponsor I would die for and you have a story as beautiful as its cover (I know, how is that even possible?)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Such a cute story! Even tho listed as a sapphic romance it’s mostly about Hallie, the FMC who wants to improve herself and grow. One of my favorite quotes was when she was feeling overwhelmed with tasks and feelings came up bringing her to “Sad Girl Hours”. So relatable and her take made it charming.
There were a lot of sweet and funny moments in this read - grateful for the ARC from HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley.
There were a lot of sweet and funny moments in this read - grateful for the ARC from HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley.
October 13, 2025
This book is a delight! Warm and funny, full of memorable characters that are easy to root for, it's the best kind of trip to summer camp (without experiencing any of the mosquito bites!) It's pretty amazing how Jessica Lewis can go from horror to rom-com with such skill and heart.
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February 1, 2026Netgalley
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews