Early Book Review: This May End Badly by Samantha Markum

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum is currently scheduled for release on April 12 2022. Pranking mastermind Doe and her motley band of Weston girls are determined to win the century-long war against Winfield Academy before the clock ticks down on their senior year. But when their headmistress announces that The Weston School will merge with its rival the following year, their longtime feud spirals into chaos. To protect the school that has been her safe haven since her parents’ divorce, Doe puts together a plan to prove once and for all that Winfield boys and Weston girls just don’t mix, starting with a direct hit at Three, Winfield’s boy king and her nemesis. In a desperate move to win, Doe strikes a bargain with Three’s cousin, Wells: If he fake dates her to get under Three’s skin, she’ll help him get back his rightful family heirloom from Three. As the pranks escalate, so do her feelings for her fake boyfriend, and Doe spins lie after lie to keep up her end of the deal. But when a teacher long suspected of inappropriate behavior messes with a younger Weston girl, Doe has to decide what’s more important: winning a rivalry, or joining forces to protect something far more critical than a prank war legacy. This May End Badly is a story about friendship, falling in love, and crossing pretty much every line presented to you—and how to atone when you do.

This May End Badly is an emotional read that covers much more than I expected. I was expecting a lighter read, but quickly found myself engaged in the story and worried about how everything would play out. Doe is not always an easy character to like, but at the same time her struggles to deal with her anger and figure out exactly who she is and what she wants is very understandable. I liked that all characters have their own things going on, even when Doe doesn't notice, because that is how life goes so it made everything more realistic. The amount of things happening and the layers to the story felt like it was almost too much in the moment, but when it all come together it was exactly like what could really happen. I had almost forgotten how vivid and intense everything is when you are a teen, and this was a good reminder as I now have two in my house. I really enjoyed the focus on friendship and how important honesty (especially with yourself) is is the book. The book very much makes the point about sticking to convictions but considering other points of view or options as situations and ideas when you become aware of them. This is not an easy read, while there are definitely some very fun moments. It is emotional and took me on the roller-coaster ride with all the  feels and failures Doe suffered and the epiphanies and successes she fought for. I think this is a great read for young adults and older.  

This May End Badly is an emotional and engaging read.