“I Think I Love You,” the debut novel from Auriane Desombre that was published earlier this year, tells a familiar story of new-found teenage love but adds plenty of twists. 

This enemies-to-lovers tale follows the lives of Sophia and Emma and features the usual arguments, plot twists and reconciliations associated with most romance books, but is also unique in its own way. 

For example, it is actually a sapphic romance, which adds to the newly emerging genre of gay and inclusive YA novels. While giving LGBTQ+ teens something to relate to, the book also presents a picture of a more progressive society to look forward to. Avoiding stereotypes, “I Think I Love You” presents  itself just as any other romance book would be without having a character say “I’m gay!” every two pages. But that’s not the only thing that makes this book good and worth the read.

The actual story is well written and stays consistently interesting. Emma’s struggles with how to come out to her parents–something many queer teens can relate to. At the same time, she and Sophia are thrown together through their friend group, but instantly dislike each other because of disagreements about a movie the group is making for a major competition. 

As the group films at locations around New York City, Emma wants to make a romance, but Sophia’s disdain for love creates a division that divides not just the girls but their friends as well. This slowly leads to a plot between the friends that most of them agree with; to slowly push them together. 

The will they won’t they enemy-lover relationship, and the ultimate plot twist in the story, makes for a page-turner. It keeps you wanting more without exhausting the same tropes to the point where you’re forced to set the book down out of frustration. There’s one more thing that makes this book stand out and capture the reader’s attention; you see both sides of the story.

Reading through the book, you actually read through both Emma’s and Sophia’s points of view. You see Emma’s bright outlook on love and her passions while also seeing her struggles and issues navigating her feelings for Sophia, among other things. You also see Sophia’s more pragmatic view on life and love, along with her opposing ideas regarding the movie competition they’ve entered together with their friends. This type of writing isn’t used often because it’s hard to pull off, but when it is executed properly, it becomes a unique work of literature and shows off the talent of the writer. 

For being a debut novel, it’s an amazing and inclusive book that is complex, but not to the point where you get lost in the confusion of switching perspectives. It lays out a clear story and follows a clear plot. The plot twists and the enemies to lovers plot create a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish, and Desombre has a keen eye for detailed emotions and expressions between characters. I highly recommend this book and couldn’t speak any higher of this fantastic novel.