There is a secret organization that cultivates teenage spies. The agents are called Love Interests because getting close to people destined for great power means getting valuable secrets.

Caden is a Nice: The boy next door, sculpted to physical perfection. Dylan is a Bad: The brooding, dark-souled guy, and dangerously handsome. The girl they are competing for is important to the organization, and each boy will pursue her. Will she choose a Nice or the Bad?

Both Caden and Dylan are living in the outside world for the first time. They are well-trained and at the top of their games. They have to be – whoever the girl doesn’t choose will die.

What the boys don’t expect are feelings that are outside of their training. Feelings that could kill them both.

First of all, a huge huge thanks to my friend JM from Book Freak Revelations and Macmillan for hosting this tour, and for letting me be a part of it! ❤ This did not, in any way, influence my opinion about this book. 

 

OH WOW. Let me start off by saying that it has been a loooong while since I read something that was so gripping and kept me at the edge of my seat. Let me be honest with you: I intentionally set aside some important office work (and decided to do it on the weekend instead! Don’t worry it’s still going to be done, boss!) just so I could finish this book! It was THAT gripping and intense.

I honestly have so many points I want to talk about The Love Interest, I’m afraid this might be a messy review. But here they go:

The cover. That gorgeous cover. The contrast between the white, black and red is just super eye catching and intriguing. And the fact that it already shouts to the world that there is going to be a love triangle is definitely a very bold but effective move!

A secret organization/spy novel? I AM ALL IN. I can’t remember the last time I read a spy YA novel. Or I probably haven’t. Hence, when I learned what The Love Interest is about – oh my, I definitely jumped right into it! The premise is a refreshing taste from my usual YA reads. It’s new, it’s unique, and it beautifully delivered.

Caden. Dyl. Juliet. Man, these characters are lovable and unforgettable. I know they will stay with me a for while longer, because again, they were placed in such a unique situation and they each had a unique person of their own. Loved Caden from the very beginning. Adored Dyl til the very end. And rooted for Juliet through and through. I’d say these are definitely some of the most unique characters I have encountered so far! ❤

The whole idea of being the existence of Love Interests is just so cool. I don’t know how Cale was able to come up with such a unique idea, but I’m sure glad he did! I would admit that at some point while reading the book, I imagined how things would be if Love Interests exist in the real world? Like, what if my current boyfriend is someone from the LIC? Or is it possible that when I broke it off with my ex, he was sent back to the LIC and was crushed by those huge robots?! I mean, the whole idea is crazy, but definitely so great! 

Overall, it was definitely a successful first book by Cale Dietrich – it wasn’t perfect of course, there are things that I wanted to be fleshed out more, but it was definitely a good read! I know I’d pick up the next one Cale publishes. 🙂

Cale Dietrich is a YA devotee, lifelong gamer, and tragic pop punk enthusiast. He was born in Perth, grew up on the Gold Coast, and now lives in Brisbane, Australia. The Love Interest is his first novel.

 

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JM’s Review at Book Freak Revelations

Allie’s Review at A Literary Wanderer

Leslie’s Review at The Bibliophile Kid

Bianca’s Review at Stay Bookish

Nicka’s Review at Read by Nicka

Shealea’s Review at The Book Shelf Bitch

Jhed’s Review at When Books Defy Gravity