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The Love Interest

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What to expect

Bloomsbury presents The Love Interest by Helen Comerford, read by Carla Harrison-Hodge and Jamie Hoskin.

A swoony, speculative and entirely electric YA debut with a humorous and satirical take on the conventions of the superhero-verse, for fans of Michelle Quach’s Not Here To Be Liked and the Marvel Universe.

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Ray has just been saved by the world’s newest superhero, Blaze. And, in the eyes of the public, that means one thing: Jenna Ray has been cast as the Love Interest.

No. Not happening. Not if Jenna has anything to say about it (even if Blaze is actually quite sweet and cute).

But her plans to defy the HPA (the Heroics and Power Authority) and turn down this new role are thwarted when the Villains begin to take an interest in her and offer a life-changing proposition; become Blaze’s Love Interest, while avoiding catching feelings for him, to uncover the HPA’s secret plans and find her missing mum.

To make matters even more complicated, just as Jenna starts to embrace her new-found career, she discovers she might be more on the side of the superheroes than she ever imagined …

Critics Review

A funny, swoony, romantic, feminist take on the superhero genre. Who needs a hero when you’ve got yourself?
Christine Pillainayagam, author of Ellie Pillai is Brown
High-octane, girl-powered fun ... Truly the wildest ride
Brianna Bourne, author of You & Me at the End of the World
With a beautiful blend of brave genuinely funny characters and a focus on the power of standing up for yourself and others, Comerford has perfected an authentically entertaining, feel-good young adult romantic comedy
INIS Magazine, Children’s Books Ireland
I love this book! So original and witty and such assured writing that crackles as much as it shines. The characters are super in more ways than one. Helen Comerford is a writer to watch
CJ Skurse, author of the Sweetpea series
Funny, exciting and highly original, this debut novel marks the arrival of a new and compelling voice in YA fiction
Steve Voake
Marvel meets Disney’s Extraordinary in this superpowered romcom that flips every hero trope with hilarious consequences. Taking on killer pigeons and mutant squirrels while fighting the patriarchy, Jenna Ray is the hero we all need. A fantastically funny, full-throttle debut. I’m obsessed!
Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake
I was gripped to the final twists. Speculative romance with masses of humour and some deft takes on modern politics: I couldn't put it down!
Tia Fisher, author of Crossing The Line
A fierce, girl-powered table flip on the superhero genre ... The Love Interest is funny, punchy, uproariously disruptive, and tender-hearted
Amara Sage, author of Influential

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