Pest

College on the opposite side of the country is the ticket out of Hal’s miserable existence -primarily characterized by employment at her dad’s pest company while suffering her mother’s opposing views. Her plan first requires that she secures the Verhaag Scholarship. It shouldn’t be a problem as she has been working since freshman years, three long years, to write the best paper ever. However, her plan may not be bullet-proof, so Hal evaluates her backup plan, which requires adding an extracurricular activity. Yearbook is her choice, but the uptight unethical editor denies her request to join. Nothing else works with her schedule, which requires early mornings and late afternoons spraying for bugs and removing rodents, further complicated by a string of burglaries. Then to top it all off, let’s throw in the rich boy next door, because why not?

This quick read is a nod to the boy-next-door trope, entertaining but surprising in the end. Hal’s determination and drive add spice to the sweet story, while her work experiences pepper the tale with hilarity and incredulity. This is a great fit for a fun read, not too time-consuming, but with unexpected fuzzy feelings in a surprisingly unexpected ending.