Sabrina is the head of the Hamilton Lakes High School Spirit Committee. She’s bubbly and popular and extroverted, and determined that all the school events she works on will be the best ever! But, she’s also struggling at home. Her parents have had a messy divorce and she’s living with her mom, but never sees her as she’s working shifts and extras to cover their costs. Sabrina keeps all this to herself and puts on a front as Perky Sabrina so that at least her school life feels perfect. 

Tyler is new to Hamilton Lakes. He’s transferred in for his final year and is staying with his cousin Ryan’s family. He left his previous school under a cloud and is worried that people will find out and the trouble will follow him. He’s a talented footballer, imposing in his looks but gentle underneath. He and Sabrina hit it off quickly and get to know each other when she gives him lifts around town. She has history with Ryan though and it’s awkward for everyone. Tyler doesn’t want to upset his cousin – or his family. Sabrina wants everything to be perfect and she’s not willing to risk all her work at school. All the action fits in between the start of the school year and homecoming, which Sabrina is in charge of organising.

Once again Emily Charlotte has nailed all the awkwardness and insecurities that teens feel as they head towards independence. Sabrina thinks she needs to protect her mother, without trusting her mother’s ability to self-manage. She’s also avoiding conversations and conflicts with friends in ways that make everything worse. Tyler in turn is also avoidant – of everyone he left back home, and his new friends on the football team, even his cousin. These form real obstacles for both of them, and their inexperience and lack of communication skills make these issues much bigger than they need to be. I was so invested in them and how they would solve their own problems – and help each other – before they could fall in love.

Catching Feelings is a Young Adult title, full of yearning and all the rampant teenage hormones. Sabrina and Tyler’s interactions are tender and careful – this felt like a love letter to first love with all the pining, second guessing, a little heartbreak and SOOOOO much emotion. This romance is Varsity #2 in this series and I also recommend Emily’s first book, Heart Check.

Thank you so much Emily Charlotte and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Laura Black is a romance editor, reader and reviewer based in Queensland, Australia. You can visit me on Instagram @laura_black_reads