A Treachery of Swans by A.B. Poranek is a sapphic Swan Princess retelling packed with forbidden magic, political intrigue, and slow-burn romance in a dark YA fantasy world.

---

Reading She Gets the Girl and its companion novella Joy to the Girls back-to-back turned out to be a genuinely lovely surprise. As someone who doesn’t usually seek out contemporary YA romance, I went in with cautious expectations—and walked away unexpectedly invested in Alex and Molly’s love story. These books blend romance with emotional depth, complicated family dynamics, and meaningful character growth, making them feel richer than your average rom-com.

Opposites Attract: Alex and Molly

She Gets the Girl follows dual perspectives from Alex and Molly, two girls who couldn’t be more different. Alex is charismatic, confident, and outwardly “cool,” but her home life is anything but stable. She’s working to support a mother struggling with alcoholism, carrying far more responsibility than any teenager should. Her relationship with her rockstar girlfriend is messy and rooted in insecurity rather than trust, which shapes how Alex views love and loyalty.

Molly, on the other hand, is introverted, anxious, and deeply tied to her mother. As a half-Korean teen whose mother was adopted, Molly feels disconnected from her cultural roots and unsure of where she belongs. Her anxiety keeps her guarded, even as she longs to be braver and more open with people.

When Alex decides to help Molly “get the girl,” the plan spirals into genuine friendship—and eventually something deeper. What works so well here is how the romance grows out of emotional honesty. These two girls learn to show up for each other in ways neither has experienced before, and that shift feels earned.

Family, Identity, and Emotional Growth

One of the strongest elements of this duology is how it explores family relationships and identity. Both girls have complicated dynamics with their mothers that influence how they navigate intimacy and trust. Alex is used to caretaking and emotional neglect, while Molly struggles with dependence and fear of stepping outside her comfort zone.

The story isn’t just about falling in love—it’s about breaking free from old patterns. Alex learns that being charismatic doesn’t mean being disposable. Molly learns that anxiety doesn’t have to dictate her entire world. Watching them challenge their own self-perceptions gives the romance real emotional weight.

The side characters add warmth and texture to the story, too—Alex’s supportive boss and Molly’s brother help ground the narrative in community and chosen family.

Joy to the Girls: A Sweet Holiday Follow-Up

Joy to the Girls picks up three years later and offers a cozy, holiday-set continuation of Alex and Molly’s relationship. They’re older, more grounded, and more secure together—but still navigating big life decisions. Molly is considering an MFA program in England, while Alex is ready to take the next step and move in together. The tension comes from unspoken fears and mismatched timing, not from manufactured drama.

The novella also shifts the spotlight to helping their friend Kora find love, creating a nice full-circle moment that echoes the premise of the first book. It’s short, warm, and satisfying—exactly what a companion novella should be.

Final Thoughts

She Gets the Girl and Joy to the Girls work best when read together, offering a complete emotional arc from awkward beginnings to mature, hard-earned love. These books are sweet without being shallow, romantic without losing substance, and grounded in real emotional growth. Even if contemporary YA romance isn’t usually your go-to genre, this duology delivers enough heart, depth, and character development to make it well worth the read.