Talk Nerdy to Me

Bookish Boyfriends #3

by Tiffany Schmidt

A strait-laced teen finds herself living an Anne of Green Gables romance in this swoon-worthy tale by the author of The Boy Next Story.



Eliza Gordon-Fergus is an expert rule-follower. She has to be; her scientist parents dictate her day-to-day decisions, and forbid her from dating. Which is why she finds Curtis Cavendish maddening. He's never punished for his class clown antics--and worse, his mischief actually masks brilliance. Like, give-Eliza-a-run-for-valedictorian brilliance.

When Eliza reads Frankenstein for English class, she's left feeling more like an experiment than a daughter. Curtis agrees to trade her Anne of Green Gables under one condition: She has to beat him at the science fair. Eliza knows they're supposed to be competing, but the more time they spend together, the more she realizes she's in over her head. Because one thing's certain about Curtis: He makes Eliza want to break all the rules.

"Fans will be thrilled with this third installment in the Bookish Boyfriends series that focuses on brainy Eliza and her intellectual equal. . . . Sure to leave romantics with an afterglow." --Kirkus Reviews

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Retellings, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, School

336 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2020

About the author

Tiffany Schmidt is the author of acclaimed books for young readers, including the Bookish Boyfriends series, I'm Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas, Once Upon a Crime Family duology and several others.

She’s found her happily ever after in Pennsylvania with her saintly husband, impish twin boys, and a pair of mischievous puggles.

You can find out more about her and her books at: TiffanySchmidt.com

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have adored the previous two books in this series, and was always intrigued by Eliza, Merri's best friend, so waited somewhat impatiently until I could read her tale. Talk Nerdy to Me see's Eliza struggle with the absence of her Nobel Prize winning parents, who seem to treat her as if she is an experiment herself, what with the rigorous control over what she eats, how she spends her time, and especially about the fact she can not date. Left alone in her home with a revolving group of doctoral students as guardians, she thrives when she spends time with the Campbell's, but with Merri and Rory both being happy, and in love, it's too much. Add to that some 'bad' marks - at least for her - and the need to read Frankenstein for her English class, she's barely keeping her head above water. All that remains is her hatred for class clown Curtis Cavendish, but spending time with him for Academic Bowl, and in order to swap books to Anne of Green Gables, she starts to think that maybe how she has allowed her parents to treat her all these years was wrong, and that she needs to let herself feel, and with Curtis she can do that.

First things first, I absolutely HATED Eliza's parents. They were the worst kind of parents I had ever seen, and Eliza was struggling with so much because of them. She never felt like anything she did was good enough, and had so many hang ups about her appearance, her intelligence, her whole self being, and I just wanted to read into the book and give her a hug. Because she is blonde, beautiful, and with a good figure, Eliza is always judged before someone gets to know her, and they never expect her to be clever - *cough*Bartlett*cough* - or call her Barbie and treat her like a doll who deserves to be stared at or have photos taken off.

One person who treated her differently when they first met was Curtis, who gives everyone a nickname, and immediately got Eliza's back up, and since then she hasn't been able to stand him. Unfortunately, they are in the same friendship group, some of the same classes, and sit together at lunch, so she has had to put up with him since school began. Their chemistry together was undeniable though, but because of Eliza's parents decree that she can't date, she couldn't even consider anything of the type - that is, until she decides to live for herself and not-date Curtis. If you know anything about Anne of Green Gables, either from the books, or shows, these two will remind you so much of Anne and Gilbert! I could not put this one down, and read it in one sitting - it has been so long that a book has kept me up at night because I needed to finish it, but this was it. I adore it, and can't wait for Get a Clue, especially if it is about Win and Huck! Schmidt has knocked it out of the park, once again.

[Irisheyz77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its no secret that I adore Tiffany Schmidt's books and her Bookish Boyfriends series has been pure joy. I love how she takes two classics - that seem to have nothing in common - and melds them together so seamlessly. Talk Nerdy to me involves Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables which seem so contrary to to each other but Schmidt really makes it work...and as with previous books has me wanting to dive back into the classics!!

Talk Nerdy to Me is Eliza's story (finally!) - I loved Eliza when I first met her in A Date with Darcy and was initially miffed that Book 2 was Rory's book and not Eliza's. I just wanted this girl to find her HEA - to find her true self and her place in the world. And while I love love loved, Boy Next Story, I still longed for this one - so when my pre-order arrived early I dropped everything in order to read it. And I wasn't disappointed. And while Talk Nerdy to Me didn't make me cry like Boy Next Story did - it totally broke my heart (Beware chapter 34). I wanted to hug and rescue this girl throughout the entire story and loved that she had so many around her who loved her - even if she couldn't always seem them at first. I also adored Curtis - what a delightful quirky cinnamon roll - and someone who is absolutely perfect for Eliza - the Gilbert to her Anne.

My only complaint is that I didn't savor this one enough - I just couldn't stop reading in order to see what happened. (My poor neglected Animal Crossing island!) Schmidt knocked it out of the park with this one - and while Boy Next Story will probably remain my favorite for how she tackles sister relationships - I think Talk Nerdy to Me will be a close second. Now....can we fast forward until Get a Clue is released because I need that book more than ever now than I have finished Talk Nerdy to Me!

[Andrea C. *andreasbookishlife* · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read!! I really enjoy the books in this series, and this one did not disappoint!

[C.M. Chafin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my absolute favorite of the whole series so far. Eliza’s character and how she thinks just really resonated with me and I liked that romance wasn’t really the main plot of the book. PLUS FRANKENSTEIN?!?! In love.

[Brenda Daun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third installment of the Bookish Boyfriends series is even more perfect than the first two books. In this book, we follow brilliant and beautiful Eliza in her very own bookish romance.

As someone who felt like an outsider at school and at home, I could see myself in Eliza’s hesitancy to be vulnerable and let others in. As much as leading ladies have become more inclusive, books tend to favor the Merris and Anne Shirleys of the world. It’s okay, I wish I could be like them instead of myself sometimes too. But it was so affirming to be able to follow a heroine who’s smart, bad at relationships, and a little cold and clinical. It was easy to cheer her on as she overcame her fears and biases.

And the romance! Curtis is Gilbert Blythe level dreamy. These are not words typically associated with teen romance, but his respect and admiration for Eliza is so refreshing. I tried to pace myself through this book, but I couldn’t help but finish it in a few days.

I hope Tiffany Schmidt never stops writing this series.

*swoons forever*

[Olivia Hotchkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally! The Eliza book I've been waiting for! We finally get a glimpse of Eliza, the ice queen brainiac. She is a very complex character and has an interesting home life. I love her character because I relate, not so much as a scientific genius, but more as a stand-offish person who would rather study than go out. Her story was so much fun, and I absolutely adore her & her beau. A perfectly splendid read for any day.

[rash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah…I will reread this book until the day I die….I LOVE ELIZA AND CURTIS SM AND omg I relate way too deeeply to Eliza like wayyyyyyyyy too much. Sometimes the “sciencey” part of the book is a bit much and I can say that as a stem kid cuz like no one thinks THAT deeply about science but I’ll accept it since the author actually consulted people to add things in accurately. I actually understood what was going on LOL. Curtis is wonderful he’s my dream boyfriend fr like he’s so perfect I don’t think we would be compatible tho cuz I’m too much like him personality wise minus the genius and charisma but yes he’s my little silly goofball who’s smart asf omg PERFECT ACADEMIC RIVALS “it means I’ll finally have some competition” KILL ME THEYRE SO CUTE and omg cupcake and firebug 😭😭😭 I hate pet names smmmmmmmm but I’ll make an exception for these two they’re so cute they’re so perfect I’m going to die halo every time I read this book

[Wisty · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.1 stars

This series is UNBELIEVABLE. I was not expecting a YA contemporary series with a sort-of cutesy plot element to be so excellent, but this whole series is becoming a favorite for me.

The characters and their problems just feel so authentic (well, except for Eliza's parents. They were hyperbolically crappy for most of the book. They were so controlling, my gosh.)

Then there's the way Schmidt flawlessly weaves the classics, more than one, into each book. What she does is magic. She's mastered this subtle homage to some of the greatest books out there, adding an incomparable freshness. The abandonment motifs in Frankenstein: The 1818 Text were *chef's kiss*, and don't even get me started on Anne of Green Gables, which is one of my all-time favorites. Everything form the Avery science competition to Gilbert's typhoid fever becoming Curtis's allergic reaction to peanuts! I can't!

Somehow, somehow, Rory's book is my favorite, which is nutty because a character like Eliza is WAY more relatable to me, but still, all of these books are insane. And I feel that they all deftly deal with topical issues nicely. Unsurprisingly, I've teared/cried during every book.

The Campbell parents are wonderful, side note. Also, three cheers for quiz bowl being featured in books, we need more of that.

I can't wait to read the next one and I need a book about Lily and Trent NOW. So love this fun series; it might feel a little young at times, but it's freaking amazing, so there. Very much The Mother-Daughter Book Club feeling, and I LOVE it.

[Andi (Andi's ABCs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Andi's ABCs


The truth is, I have never met a Tiffany Schmidt book I didn’t love. She has a writing style that just works for me and what I love to read. And her Bookish Boyfriend series is one of my all time favorite. So it comes at no surprise when I tell you not only did I devour Talk Nerdy to Me, I also fell head over heels in love with it. Eliza and Curtis are everything I wanted them to be and 1000 times more.

Talk Nerdy to Me is the 3rd book in the companion series, Bookish Boyfriends and follows Eliza, a girl that has always followed the rules. Her parents have dictated her life from afar for so long Eliza just does what is expected of her. The only thing she doesn’t do is let herself feel. That is until she start getting to know Curtis, a guy she had brushed off based on one comment he made before knowing her. As the two of them spend more and more time together Eliza learns there is more to him and she thought and maybe listening to her parents and the rules are highly overrated.

What I love about Bookish Boyfriends is that each book in the series is a mash-up of two classics and Talk Nerdy to Me is a mash-up of Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables, two books I have never read. But even without having read them it was just so easy to fall in love with these characters. Honestly Eliza was a bundle of nerves thanks to her parents (who I wanted to hit in the head with a dead fish) and the constant pressure she was under. And Curtis was constantly trying to make people feel more comfortable. But what people didn’t know was his smartness may have rivaled Eliza’s. On paper these two would not be a good match yet they somehow worked so much I walked away with all the flutters of feels. Curtis and Eliza may not have seemed like the perfect match, but were they ever. My heart is still happy.

Talk Nerdy to Me was a book that was filled with emotions. I laughed ad cried and swooned. Every time i read a new installment in this series I think it is the best of the series and I don;t want that to ever end. If you haven't picked up these books start on book one and make your way through them all. Your heart will thank you later.

[carrietracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not want or need another Anne of Green Gables retelling, so it's a true testament to Schmidt how charming this was.

Eliza is a star student but her parents unique brand of distance parenting has left her rigid socially. She's never been allowed sweets or honestly, any pleasure. She's been taught things are black and white: either someone is smart and serious or they are NOT serious and therefore cannot possibly be smart.

But as her BFF Merri spends more time with her brand new boyfriend and a low math grade forces her onto the Quiz Bowl team, Eliza finds herself spending more and more time in the company of the class clown. Who, as it turns out, is every bit as smart as she is. Faced with the contradiction that it Curtis and her growing feelings for him, Eliza starts questioning everything about her parents rules and expectations. And she's finally figuring out who SHE wants to be, independent of their structure.

As I said at the outset, I didn't need another Anne story. I've read the series, the graphic novel, watched all movie and TV versions. But Schmidt doesn't bludgeon you over the head with it. You'll like Curtis as much as Gilbert (at least I did). And you don't need to know Anne to enjoy this book at all. In fact, Talk Nerdy to Me might end up sending readers over to Anne, rather than brining Anne readers to itself.

Honestly, the first book in this series was the weakest (which is tough, it's really hard when the first book in a series doesn't draw you in), but the second one and this one are excellent and I loved them.

Some Eliza's parent related spoilers I hate them just as much. I get they were trying at the end but these are some really awful people and I'm not prepared to cut them a break. AWFUL PEOPLE I SAY.

[Selah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Objectively, I know this isn’t a 5 star book, but it’s got me all up in my feelings, and I’m not going to be objective! I think Eliza and Curtis would approve.

[Shakira · Rating 5 out of 5]

EKKK!!!! I knew I would adore this book. An Anne Shirley and Gilbert retelling?! Yes,please! Eliza has such a tough life. I'm glad that Curtis comes along and really likes her for her. It really tied together with book one of this series.


Read if you like classical literature, like contemporary romance, like high school contemporary romance,have a bookish boyfriend, like a little bit of magic.

Warning tape: normalized homosexuality, but not the main focus. The next book will probably be focused on a homosexual relationship.

[hannah_greengables ~hello there~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOKISH BOYFRIENDS HAS DONE IT AGAIN

I adored this book, although book #2 is my absolute favorite, this one is definitely tied with book #1

[tellacnders · Rating 5 out of 5]

not as good as rory's for sure, but i really loved reading about eliza!

[Luna Moonlight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides the cringey title, it was a good read.

[Anna Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

mmmkay,I loved this one! Such a beautiful story of forgiveness, love, and family. Eliza is such a strong young woman and I loved reading about here,and of course, Curtis was a cutie pie too.Would definitely recommend and I'm so getting myself a copy(I read it as an ebook)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in the series so far!! I connected with Eliza so much she was legit me in high school smart Barbie and I was bullied hard core with horrible nicknames as well! I loved every part of this book and I can’t recommend this book enough!

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This one didn't do it for me as much as the others, I'm sorry to say.

Eliza's parents sounded almost unrealistic in how they treated her. I know there are some seriously strict parents out there, but this situation was on an unbelievable level. They went through her search history?!?

A bit of a rant... Disclaimer: I enjoy this series, this is just something that bothers me about it.

The more of these books I read, the less I like Ms. Gregoire. It could just be me though. I like aspects of her personality and can see the Ms. Frizzle comparison, but I don't like this idea of setting up students in relationships. Even though that's pretty much the premise of the series. Should teachers really be able to pry into students' lives to that degree? I understand always having an open door, being available to talk about life issues, etc. -- inviting the student to come chat if the student wants to do so -- but to give students books and have them not only draw parallels in their own lives but also enter romantic relationships as a direct result... I don't know, it seems a bit much. Kinda creepy. I'm not saying the relationships themselves don't work -- they do, and they are very sweet -- but I think it really hit me with Eliza's story, because she's already answering to her parents' rules and restrictions and trying to do the best she possibly can in school, extracurricular activities, etc. and trying not to lose her friends and trying to just not fall apart from all she has on her plate, and then Ms. Gregoire is like "how about we add a boyfriend?" and my first thought was "No, you don't get to decide that."

I do have to say that I was very proud of Eliza standing up for herself. I had to Google some of the terms she threw around, but I'm glad I did. I only wish she had stood up to Ms. Gregoire a bit more, said something like "No, this is actually not what I need right now" and done a different book that wasn't Anne of Green Gables but wasn't Frankenstein, either, because who needs to feel like you're just an experiment?

Overall, though, this was still a good book.

[Maci · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Wow I really like this author! I would recommend this to anyone who likes YA realistic fiction!

[Laney Shupe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title captured my attention. The “Anne of Green Gables” tie-in wooed me to purchase. Curtis stole my heart just like Gilbert Blythe. This may be a boo for young adults but adult readers will love the parallels drawn between the story, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” and Lucy Maude Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” 💜

[Carollee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. It's cute, wholesome, funny, and engaging. I love how Eliza figures out who she is. I love her ownership of herself. I love how this author writes about strong females who fall in love, but that love doesn't change or diminish them. I can't wait for the next book.

[Carmen Peirce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the diversity. Curtis is a sweetheart and eliza is kind of annoying in the begining but she gets better in the end.

[Bridgette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, heartbreaking and funny! Tiffany has done it again!!💕

[Christine Ayala-Zierke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, when do Win and Huck get a story? Because I will absolutely be first in line for that one!!!

[Elisha Jachetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 Out of 5 Stars***

TALK NERDY TO ME by Tiffany Schmidt is the third installment in the BOOKISH BOYFRIENDS series. This story follows Eliza, a girl known not only for her beauty and intelligence, but also for her mom and dad, who happen to be famous scientists. Unfortunately, Eliza doesn’t spend much time with them, as her parents are in Antarctica for work, leaving Eliza in the US with a guardian. Despite the distance, Eliza’s parents control every aspect of her life to exacting detail. It’s suffocating, but Eliza’s never gone against their wishes— that is, until she starts hanging out with Curtis. Though her parents say she’s not allowed to date and have even provided scientific studies as to why it’s not good for her, Eliza, for the first time, realizes some aspects of life aren’t meant to be controlled by lab results.

The idea for this book series in general is super cute and a lot of fun. The author takes classics and weaves parallels through her protagonists’ lives. In TALK NERDY TO ME, Schmidt uses FRANKENSTEIN and ANNE OF GREEN GABLES as foils to one another, opposite examples of who Eliza could become. However, you don’t have to be familiar with the source material to enjoy this book. You also don’t have to be familiar with the first two books of this series, as this novel functions as a standalone as well.

What works in this book is the romance between Eliza and Curtis. I love their dates— making cupcakes, training for a marathon, practicing for academic competitions. They complement one another and push each other to be better. I also enjoy Eliza’s friendship with Merri and her family. Merri is so different from Eliza and offers a nice contrast. Merri brings the idealism to Eliza’s realism.

With that being said, I had a hard time connecting to Eliza at first, and as such, the book got off to a slow start. In fact, the pacing throughout varies. There are parts where I didn’t want to put the book down and other bits that took longer to get through— generally, that was when Eliza was closing off again. As a result, the end is less satisfying, because it takes so long for Eliza to let her guard down and confront her parents, and she gets what she wants rather easily. It made me wonder why we had to go through all that happened, when the solution was pretty simple.

That aside, TALK NERDY TO ME is perfect for avid readers who may want a contemporary story that incorporates whimsy, retellings, and coming-of-age.

Review originally posted on YA Books Central: https://www.yabookscentral.com/yafict...

[Micaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can appreciate what the author was trying to do with this book. Teach teenagers about autonomy and agency, healthy relationships, work-life balance, and standing up for themselves, as well as some overlooked aspects of feminism. However, while I know a woman shouldn't feel the need to be "nice," all the time, I am an unwavering proponent of kindness as one of the most important things in the world. And Eliza is often disproportionately unkind to those around her. It's hard not to feel for her, with her lonely and strictly-regulated life, but it's also kinda hard to root for her. No one I know would have so much support from and be so well-loved by family and friends if she/he/they were so... well, mean. I realize that's not the most erudite word to use to describe someone, but that doesn't take away from its accuracy. Also, I didn't appreciate Eliza's meanness and condescension for those around her who have different perspectives paired with the hypocrisy of her belief that the scientific community is too exclusive and needs to be made more accessible. I agree completely that it does need to be more accessible, but the first step is for gifted people like Eliza to stop treating everyone else like they're stupid and biting their heads off and levelling them with dirty looks any time they say something that doesn't measure up to a certain intellectual standard. Perhaps I'm a bit biased against Eliza because I know too many people in real life who champion feminism, accessibility, etc. but lack basic care in their interactions with the human beings for whom these movements were created. Still, I can definitely say that Eliza was a unique heroine, so the author gets points for originality. This series has been cute and comforting and feel-good in my busy life, so I think I'll continue it for as long as it goes on.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eliza’s life hurts my momma heart. I skipped book 2 of this series because I had to know Eliza’s story. I had to know what happened to this poor girl.

Eliza Gordon - Fergus parents are renowned scientists who hire grad students to stay with their daughter while they run around the world doing experiments. They are currently at Amundson Scott Base in Antarctica and keep track of Eliza by her fitness watch. They prescribe daily schedules for her, set her diet for each day and exercise programs. If they notice any deviation from the scheduled activities they email her. Heart rate anomalies for the day? Email. She finds out her parents are coming home from the grad student not them.

The premise of this series is that the English teacher of Hero High, Mrs. Gregoire, a Ms. Frizzle doppelgänger, assigns books to the students that parallel their love stories or more accurately points them in the right direction for true love. When Eliza chooses “Frankenstein” for her English project, Ms. Frizzle points out that she doesn’t think it’s a good choice for her. Eliza, already aware of Mrs. Gregoire supposed powers insists on a nice, safe, “science” book and no romance. (Besides dating is forbidden. Unreliable hormones and all that.) Of course, as Eliza reads the book she begins to see her life in a more uncomfortable way and the day she walks into Mrs. Gregoire’s classroom and Mrs. Gregoire looks her in the eye and says, “You are not Frankenstein’s monster.” I had to quit reading because I was at the library and was gonna bawl all over the place.

These books are fluffy but each character grows and matures in a very warming way and of course I love the literature references and romance.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

Well, my love for this series has sadly decreased as the number of novels in the series increases. By no means have I absolutely hated any of the three published books so far, but I just enjoy each one less and less.

A Date With Darcy is the best of the three in my opinion. I also just clicked the most with Merri as opposed to Rory in The Boy Next Story and now Eliza in Talk Nerdy to Me.

Talk Nerdy to Me took awhile for me to get into, which I believe was the same way with The Boy Next Story. It also had a much more serious tone than the previous novels, which I didn't really like. I think that's the main reason I didn't enjoy this story as much as I could have.

While I loved Eliza's and Curtis's banter and how their relationship evolved (Gilbert and Anne anyone?) I didn't enjoy how focused the story was on Eliza's femininity and broken relationship with her parents. Personally, I hate stories with annoying or absent/indifferent parents like Eliza's in Talk Nerdy to Me. I really sympathized with her, but it was disappointing how much this took away from the story and how such a lighthearted and fun series that celebrates classic literary works took such a heavy and swift turn from its normal comedic speciality.

I also hated the "Brainiac Barbie" situation. Like, just because she's blonde and so-called beautiful, she can't be intelligent and wear a lab coat? Really?! It's the 21st Century people! And that, coupled with her almost non-existent relationship with her parents made up her entire character arc. That's the reason she ultimately tried to push everyone (Curtis, the Campbells, Merri, etc) away. I don't know. I just wasn't a fan.

But yeah. I did really enjoy the parallels between Curtis and Eliza and Gilbert and Anne. That was fun. ;) Also, there were some really funny moments that I enjoyed, and I liked the ending. I just wish the conflict hadn't featured such heavy and frankly, exhausted tropey topics.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself getting bored with this book. I did like Eliza in the first two books, I don't really disliked her and her parents were so controlling which brought its issues but something felt flat to me. I did not feel the chemistry between Eliza and Curtis, I suppose they resemble Anne and Gilbert in the sense that they are both smart and there is some competition and while in theory I would have liked the idea of Eliza and Curtis; the smart girl with the boy who likes to be all jokes and fun but is actually really smart but they just did not do it for me.

Eliza could struggle with this fear of failure and how she felt like she had to be perfect where she grew into someone who could be herself, I think that is a nice concept for a character and I also liked that she loved science but there was a humanity missing, I am not sure if any real people would think in such scientific ways. How you can explain everything with logic, with science. And I suppose that is how her parents raised her but it didn't seem believable to me.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have one complaint which takes this book down to a 4.5:

The end should’ve focused on Eliza, not Huck and Win. It felt like the author was giving us a mini preview chapter for the next book instead of giving Eliza the proper sendoff.

As I was going through this book I kept wondering why there were references to Huck like he was a big deal, but neither of the characters are that attached to him. As his mentor Curtis obviously cares about him, but it’s nothing compared to the relationship between Toby and Rory. He was offended that Eliza didn’t acknowledge their runs when Huck mentioned them but who discloses personal information to their best friend’s sister’s friend? That seems like an unnecessary leap. I get that it was symptomatic of the bigger issue, but I felt like maybe the author went in and added emphasis to Huck after the fact to lead into the next book.

Aside from that, the book was wonderful! It was so lovely to watch Eliza work through her struggles.