Real When I'm With You by Lucy Powrie

 Perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Elle McNicoll, this is a hot chocolate hug of a romance. Meet Effie and Aiden, two teenagers who meet at a local coffee shop and decide to fake date to convince their circle they have what it takes to be in a relationship. But when their fake dates are exposed, will they be able to convince their friends that they want to date … this time … for real?   Seventeen-year-old Effie is fed up of playing third-wheel.

She can often be found hanging out at the local coffee shop “Love You a Latte” while her so-called friend Chelsea and her boyfriend kiss in front of her. One day, following a snide remark from Chelsea about never having a boyfriend, she declares she can absolutely get a date if she just asks for one, so she strides over to the counter and asks the irresistibly cute barista Aiden to pretend to put his number in her phone. Of course, he obliges with a grin – what ensues is a whirlwind of fake dates.

But when their fake dates are exposed, Effie and Aiden decide to carry on dating for good, but then, spoiler, nobody believes they really are in a relationship. But who cares what anyone else thinks? This is Effie and Aiden’s story

Format:Paperback / softback 352 pages
Publisher:Scholastic
Imprint:Scholastic
ISBN:9780702342097
Published:3 Jul 2025
Classifications:Romance & relationships stories (Children's / Teenage), People & places (Children's / Teenage), Personal & social issues: self-awareness & self-esteem (Children's / Teenage)
Weight:248g
Dimensions:372 x 130 x 24 (mm)