Samantha Markum

When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk—falling in love—in Samantha Markum's This May End Badly...

A Novel

This May End Badly

Aparna 

When a high stakes boarding school prank war leads to a fake dating scheme, two teens must decide if they are ready to take the ultimate risk--falling in love--in Samantha Markum's This May End Badly...

The second half of this book annoyed me so bad. It was the second coming of The Edge of Seventeen where everyone does the main character so dirty, and they have to have an apology tour and apologize to everyone else when the best friend themselves does the worst friendship crime, but it's forgotten because the small thing that the main character did is supposed to be worse. 

I'm sorry, the main character wants to stop the merger and fake dates someone, but that's worse than what Shawn does? I think not. It's literally foul and I wanted to rip the pages out the friend characters were annoying me so bad. I didn't want Doe to apologize, she didn't have much to apologize for. Sorry she can't read everyone's minds when they want the merger. They literally didn't even tell her.

Despite all of this, I did enjoy the read. I really liked Wells. It was enjoyable to read besides the apology portion. Only things I like could bring this much wrath out of me. It's because I care.

Sarah Campbell

The second half of this book annoyed me so bad. It was the second coming of The Edge of Seventeen where everyone does the main character so dirty, and they have to have an apology tour and apologize to everyone else when the best friend themselves does the worst friendship crime, but it's forgotten because the small thing that the main character did is supposed to be worse. 

I'm sorry, the main character wants to stop the merger and fake dates someone, but that's worse than what Shawn does? I think not. It's literally foul and I wanted to rip the pages out the friend characters were annoying me so bad. I didn't want Doe to apologize, she didn't have much to apologize for. Sorry she can't read everyone's minds when they want the merger. They literally didn't even tell her.

Despite all of this, I did enjoy the read. I really liked Wells. It was enjoyable to read besides the apology portion. Only things I like could bring this much wrath out of me. It's because I care.

A full on comfort read! I loved this book, I think it has a good message and a lot of character growth. I am also a sucker for prank wars (granted this was a different pairing than I expected)

Holly

Took me too long to finish cause i kept forgetting to charge up my other phone which had this book😭

But such a cute read tho totally love it <33 

WELLS AND DOE HAVE MY HEART TOO🤭❤️‍🔥

Shanthu

Took me too long to finish cause i kept forgetting to charge up my other phone which had this book😭

But such a cute read tho totally love it <33 

WELLS AND DOE HAVE MY HEART TOO🤭❤️‍🔥

Sven Test

This May End Badly is such a fun YA! I loved the witty banter and humor. And don’t get me started and the strong female friendships. I loved their bond so much, but what I loved more is how they’ll be real with you and call you out if needed. The fake relationship was so swoony! Where can I get a Wells? Asking for a friend. 

But then, what I loved the most is how these Weston girls have each other's backs. There's an issue with inappropriate behavior from a teacher to a female student and the way the girls pulled out every stop... I had tears in my eyes! The author did a great job with this book!

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- prank wars between rival boarding schools
- fake relationship
- swoony male mc
- boarding schools
- humor and banter
- strong female friendship group
- defending what you believe in

sydney

I received an arc from netgalley.

I have mixed opinions on this book. I didn't hate it but there was something off about it. First off, I felt like she should be with Three, I didn't think that by the end but the way it was written made it seem like that was where the story should go. I also couldn't stand the main character for most of the book. She was just so caught up in the rivalry that it made her unbearable at times.

Lillian

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

cws/tws: grooming, sexual harassment, biphobia (background)

This May End Badly by Samantha Markum is a fun contemporary romance that follows Doe, a girl from an all girls boarding school, Weston, with a bitter prank rivalry against the neighboring all boys boarding school, Winfield. To get on the leader of the Winfield boys’ Three’s nerves, Doe decides to fake date his cousin, Wells (and if you’ve read enough romances you can probably see where this is going). Tensions are high. However, when a teacher’s inappropriate behaviour with a minor comes to light, everyone is forced to band together to fight for what’s really important.

This was a really quick, enjoyable read for me! The premise is exciting and the execution is amazing! Before I get into my likes and dislikes and otherwise thoughts though, I thought I’d qualify this with a few things: perhaps the rival schools thing will lead some readers into thinking that this is supposed to be an enemies-to-lovers romance. Don’t go in assuming this! It does, however, deliver well on the fake dating portion of it. Also, take the content warnings to heart! While the novel veers more on the light-hearted side, it does deal with some pretty heavy topics so I’d keep that in mind. This book is probably more appropriate for slightly older teens. Finally, sometimes the book is less about the romance and how the romance (or perception thereof) affects Doe’s other relationships. I personally loved this, but some people might want a book that focuses more on the main relationship.

With that out of the way, let’s talk about what I loved (which was a lot)! Firstly, the characterization is done so well. Doe is a very messy and flawed protagonist, and she sucks in many ways but you’re rooting for her anyways (or, at least I did). She’s flawed in a very realistic high schooler way and she does things that I would highly disapprove of but you can tell that she wants to be a good person. And Wells - well, he’s great! Again, definitely flawed but also so genuine and kind. I loved the side characters, from Doe’s friends to Three and his crew.

Secondly, I adored Dorothy and her friends! They reminded me of my own friend group in the sense that they had different goals, disagreed with each other and bantered, and there was palpable tension and conflict. The friends aren’t caricatures - they feel like actual people.

Also, the dialogue felt natural and real. A lot of YA books have teens speaking in ways that they really don’t in an attempt to appeal to the audience when it does the opposite. I didn’t feel that way in this book at all - everything seemed like something real high schoolers would say.

The book dealt with grooming and sexual harassment in what I thought was a fairly sensitive way - again, I would take the content warnings to heart - which I know is often difficult, especially in youth literature.

There are a few things that I didn’t love: There was a line comparing homophobia to racism which when I read it I was like “white woman moment,” but it was also just a single line. Also, I wish we got a little more accountability for Doe’s actions towards her loved ones, but in comparison to other books, she definitely gets more consequences, so these two things weren’t too obstructive to my enjoyment of the novel.

4.25 stars! I’d for sure recommend it.

Siena Grace

This is a well written book that I 100% enjoyed reading. There was a whirlwind of hate, love and learning that drew me in from the start and kept me reading until the end. Miss Markus did a beautiful job at showing character development in all of the characters while also making them fun and relatable. This was the perfect book to draw me out of my reading slump.

i had a BLAST this book was literally so much fun. i loved the cast of characters and i like how there was depth to each of them, small as individual roles were, and the romance was just. top tier !!! yea there was a lot going on but tbh it just added to the chaos and i found it entertaining idk!!

ayah ♡

Abby Frey

Honestly I don’t even know where to start with this book. The romance was great. The fake dating trope slaps every time and this is no exception. Their banter was top notch I will not lie. Doe and Wells >>>>>>> 

The characters were so great and I felt myself relating to Doe. She is confused on what she wants to do with her life which is very relatable to people my age (teens) and probably everyone else have had this same struggle. Doe’s choices at times can be… frustrating but she knows she did something wrong and there is nothing I love more than a character taking responsibility for her actions. 

I adored the plot with the prank war and the social commentary on how predators are treated especially in a setting like this. It covered a really heavy topic in a pretty good way. I loved how everyone put aside their differences and arguments for the greater good of the students and the schools.

CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an eARC of this book and I look forward to reading more books from Samantha Markum in the future!

TW: mentions of sexual harassment of a minor by an adult

Y’all, I was NOT expecting this to be a 5-star read but whew!!

✨ first & foremost, nuanced, complex discussion of single-gender institutions in the landscape of education (a topic that’s dear to my heart), INCLUDING a clear, thoughtful approach to centering trans/non-binary/genderqueer folks in the conversation. I am SHOOK at how well this was done!!

✨ I am EQUALLY shook at the character growth, omg. The way Doe is artfully steered from being single-minded to understanding & accepting nuance/that she doesn’t have to have it her way like. WOW.

✨ excellent, well-developed, diverse side characters whose identities weren’t slap dash or tokenized, & who personified girl friendships BEAUTIFULLY.

✨ HILARIOUS banter. Like yes we discussed serious topics but we did it WITH PIZZAZZ OKAY. (Do the kids still say pizzazz?)

✨ a really adorable, heart-thudding romance. The way it embodied the slow burn fake dating trope was ✨perfection✨

✨ fantastic plot that touches on important topics re: friendship, love, trust, and safety for teens.

If any of those things sound up your alley — read this book!!

Sharanya Sharma

TW: mentions of sexual harassment of a minor by an adult

Y’all, I was NOT expecting this to be a 5-star read but whew!!

✨ first & foremost, nuanced, complex discussion of single-gender institutions in the landscape of education (a topic that’s dear to my heart), INCLUDING a clear, thoughtful approach to centering trans/non-binary/genderqueer folks in the conversation. I am SHOOK at how well this was done!!

✨ I am EQUALLY shook at the character growth, omg. The way Doe is artfully steered from being single-minded to understanding & accepting nuance/that she doesn’t have to have it her way like. WOW.

✨ excellent, well-developed, diverse side characters whose identities weren’t slap dash or tokenized, & who personified girl friendships BEAUTIFULLY.

✨ HILARIOUS banter. Like yes we discussed serious topics but we did it WITH PIZZAZZ OKAY. (Do the kids still say pizzazz?)

✨ a really adorable, heart-thudding romance. The way it embodied the slow burn fake dating trope was ✨perfection✨

✨ fantastic plot that touches on important topics re: friendship, love, trust, and safety for teens.

If any of those things sound up your alley — read this book!!

I'm usually not one for the fake dating trope but I read another review that convinced me to pick this up, and I am SO glad that I did!

Plot: It had a central plot and several subplots which I really liked. The author was able to bring in a bunch of themes and ideas without them sticking out like a sore thumb and blended seamlessly into the storyline. 

Characters: GOD, I loved all the main characters. I would sell my soul to have a friendship with the girls, and this book really makes sure each one of them have a distinct personality and by the end of the book they all really come into their own. And an A+ for diversity too, it always shocks me when I find a brown girl in a book I read but I'm so happy for the rep too. 

Writing: Relatively simple writing but with lots of witty banter and humour. I had a lot of fun reading the book, and didn't find a dull moment to put it down.  

Other thoughts: I loved Wells and Doe's relationship but to me, the highlight was the girls' friendship. 

This was a fun, light read, and I'd def recommend it to anyone looking for their next YA read! 

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

This May End Badly is such a fun YA! I loved the witty banter and humor. And don’t get me started and the strong female friendships. I loved their bond so much, but what I loved more is how they’ll be real with you and call you out if needed. The fake relationship was so swoony! Where can I get a Wells? Asking for a friend. 

But then, what I loved the most is how these Weston girls have each other's backs. There's an issue with inappropriate behavior from a teacher to a female student and the way the girls pulled out every stop... I had tears in my eyes! The author did a great job with this book!

READ IF YOU LIKE:
- prank wars between rival boarding schools
- fake relationship
- swoony male mc
- boarding schools
- humor and banter
- strong female friendship group
- defending what you believe in

Anna Price

✨THIS MAY END BADLY by Samantha Markum✨

★★★★★

🍦🍫Drink: Dark Chocolate Milkshake

- Scoop some Talenti Dark Chocolate Gelato into your blender
- Add 1/2 cup of milk
- Blend!! Pour into your glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles, and your favorite dark chocolate

This was an easy choice since I had started craving one of these from the first time Doe had one at her fav Phoebe’s Diner 💕

Thank you to @stmartinspress @wednesdaybooks and @netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion - Everyone, add this to your TBR for 2022 it comes out on April 12th. Swipe to read the synopsis!

🌟Review: I loooved this book! If you’re someone who likes YA romance, academic rivalries, enemies to lovers, fake dating, and strong friendships - then this is a book for you!

I’ve seen some people call it “dark academia” but I wouldn’t call it that, this was a fun story that yes had some serious themes and topics covered but centers around a blossoming love and an epic prank war between rival boarding schools. This book captured my interest right from the first page and I literally read it in one sitting. I love love love Wells (Doe was great too but Wells was my favorite by far) and the relationship between him and Doe was absolutely adorable. Also all of the side characters were *chefs kiss*

I don’t want to give away too much but I highly recommend everyone to try this one out!

anderson elizabeth

I would rate this book 4/5 stars. Thank you St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, and NetGalley for giving me access to an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“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.” 

Doe and Wells…I love. I ship. Their banter stayed so consistent throughout the book, which I LOVED. I think that when there are begrudging allies it’s sometimes tricky to keep the wit alive as the relationship progresses but Samantha Markum nailed it. This book addressed so many important elements of education moving forward. The cast of characters was well-rounded and I loved reading all of the pranks.

Kaeli Wolf 

Beautiful writing and character interactions. I'd compare the writing style to that of Casey McQuiston, which is nothing but a compliment. It's definitely a worthy read.

Taylor Sedona

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the ARC of This May End Badly in exchange for my honest review. 

What a stunning debut for Samantha Markum. 

Doe and her friends enter their senior year at Weston determined to win a century-long prank war against the rival all-boy Winfield Academy. Enter Three who leads Winfield’s efforts in the war, and is also Doe’s biggest nemesis. There is nothing Doe wants more than to beat Three and end the war with Weston on top. So when it’s announced the two schools will merge the next year it’s Doe’s worst nightmare. Her focus shifts to protecting the one place she feels at home. 

Determined to both end the prank war and show that Weston girls and Winfield boys should not be merged, Doe decides to fake date the cousin of her long time rival. But not everyone views change as a bad thing, and there’s more pressing matters going on in Weston’s halls. Readers follow Doe as she tries to save her school, win a war, keep a boyfriend and decide what her future after senior year hold for her. What could possibly go wrong?

Boarding school theme? Check.
Fake dating? Check.       Enemies to lovers? Check.

This May End Badly checks all the boxes in what I could possibly want in a YA romance these days. Markum wastes no time getting into the thick of the action and the pacing of this novel is definitely strong. At no point did I feel like it dragged, and I hungrily finished it in two sittings. 

What makes this book a very solid and promising debut is that everything in it just felt authentic and real. The problems that Doe faces and the emotions she goes through are relatable and engaging. The outcomes aren’t far fetched the ending is satisfying and the conflict comes to a nice conclusion. I often have trouble reading YA romance novels, because I feel like they become a tad unbelievable. 

The tension and banter in This May End Badly are so fun and definitely added to the overall enjoyment. She creates strong characters who jump off the page, are complex in their identities and who I honestly liked spending time with. This is a group of friends that I would really look forward to reuniting with in a sequel.

Speaking of characters I want to talk about Doe, the female protagonist. I absolutely adored her. Doe is far from perfect, she’s messy, she’s wrong and a little narrow-sighted, which honestly makes me love her even more. Doe is relatable in her emotions and decisions as a senior not sure what future she has outside the walls of a school that gave her a place to belong. It’s also really nicely shown, that you can have nothing but positive intentions but can still fail to be right. The world changes and sometimes, as hard as change can be and as hard as it hurts, it can be good change. While Doe isn’t really fighting on the “right” side, she is honest in her intentions and when it matters most she puts aside her personal desires. You’ll want to shake some sense into her, but you’ll also want to give her a hug, and I hope we get to see more of her in the future.

I also really enjoyed the romance. Wells was a great love interest and the fake dating trope was perfect. The enemies to lovers tone only added to the tension, and the banter between him and Doe kept me laughing. Their relationship doesn't feel forced or like it progresses too fast which can also happen in fake dating scenarios.

This May End Badly was a 5-star read that I can’t wait to recommend. I had very few issues with it, but I will note them. I loved the role that Christian came to play later in the book, but I wished he had gotten a little more character progression earlier in the story so that he had a bit more impact. I also wish that Doe would’ve gotten a bit more of an apology from her friends. While she was 100% in the wrong, her friends were far from innocent, and I think an apology would have added more emotional payout to their reconciliation. 

There does need to be a TW for mentions and discussions of sexual assault. I was a bit nervous for this plot line. It was heavily hinted at for most of the book, and I wondered how exactly it was going to be used as a plot device. I think Markum did a good job, however I do hope that younger girls especially know that it’s okay to get help from your parents in this situation and that trauma does not need to be handled on your own to mean something.

This May End Badly A Novel

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