The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich- Read May 20th 

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This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it did not disappoint me. It reminded me somewhat of the Hunger Games in the fact that the LIC controlled the Love Interests in a similar way. I thought it was a thought provoking book and an interesting take on young adult romance. 

The story is about a secret organization that raises boys from the age of eleven, before this they are put in foster care. There is also a section for the girls but we see the story from one of the guy's, Caden's perspective. These boys are raised/ cultivated to become the perfect Love Interest of some girl out in the world that is important for the organization. They get sent out into the world to make the girl fall in love with them. Usually, two get sent out, the nice and the bad. I thought this aspect was interesting because this makes me think of the love triangles that are in a lot of young adult novels. In the love triangles usually, there is a good guy and the bad boy. I thought that Cale's way of playing with this common trope was great. In this book the good is Caden and the bad is Dylan. They are competing to win the heart of this girl so they can then be with her and spy on her for the organization. Whoever she does not choose will be killed. They develop feelings and thoughts that are not ones they should have about the organization and what they are meant to do. These feelings can get them killed. 

I think that the idea that the guys are supposed to act in a certain way because of the organization adds a layer to this book that I enjoyed. Many readers of young adult books or those that know this trope of the love triangle will most likely notice how Cale plays with it. This book made me think of the movie Cabin in the Woods because of the fact that the Love Interests are being controlled by an overhead organization similar to the organization in the movie. 

I enjoyed most of the book though I do feel the ending was somewhat rushed. Overall I loved this book and it was another great addition to my reading month. I recommend it.