Signs Point to Yes by Sandy Hall

Meet Jane: She writes fan fiction (think Doctor Who and Veronica Mars crossover), is a bit nerdy, typically plays by the rules, and consults her Magic 8 Ball for advice before making big decisions.  When her mother gets her a summer job as an unpaid intern at the college where she works, Jane is less than thrilled.  Not only does she not want to spend the summer working with her mother, but she also was hoping to make some money.  So she answers an ad for a babysitter for the summer – not knowing that the children involved are the younger siblings of an old friend – Teo.

Even though Jane and Teo haven’t even spoke to one another much in the past few years, they had been inseparable as children.  When Jane discovers that the children she will be babysitting are Teo’s siblings, she wonders what it will be like to be seeing Teo again, and while she’s not sure she wants to be around him that much (especially because Teo’s friend Ravi hates her), she takes the job anyway.  Teo and Jane make small talk, and Jane has to deal with Ravi, who clearly doesn’t want Jane around, and makes her feel as unwelcome as possible.  However, as Jane continues with her position as a babysitter, she and Teo spend more and more time together, getting to know one another and pick up where their friendship has left off – only Jane might want a little more than just friendship now – she’s starting to fall for Teo.

During all this, Teo has been casually looking for his biological father, who he knows almost nothing about.  When Jane discovers he is searching, she decides to secretly help him. and eventually she finds a lead that might take Teo to the man who she believes could be his father.

Also during all of this Jane’s older sister, Margo, is struggling to come out to their parents as bisexual.  She is sort of seeing a girl she went to high school with, but is afraid to tell their parents because of how she thinks they will react.

Signs Point to Yes is an incredibly sweet book.  It’s a cute romance full of drama (the fun kind and the not-so-fun kind), first love, and characters that are well written and enjoyable to read about (and Ravi, who is fun to dislike!).  While I feel like I have seen some aspects of the main plot multiple times, adding in Teo’s search for his father and Margo’s struggle to come out to her parents makes it a unique story that gives readers plenty of chances to relate to the characters.  I absolutely adore cute, awkward-first-crush type romance novels, and this one didn’t disappoint.  I loved Jane’s quirky, nerdy personality, and the budding romance between her and Teo is sweet (there was a part where they watched the fireworks on the roof together – definitely awe-worthy).

Note: I received an ARC copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.