Queen B’s Decree: Hood River Zero is the fourth book in the Hood River Hoodlums series and it was the one I’ve been most excited for.
Terrance woke up from a coma not so long ago due to a terrible car accident. He’s dealing with the residuals of a traumatic brain injury and spiraling into doubts. When he’s offered a job as a high school girl’s basketball coach, he latches on to anything that could give him some stability.
Jokes on him thought, because he’s coaching Penny, Charlotte and Hollis’s mean girl sister. The more time he spends with Penny, the more he sees through her “mean girl” abrasiveness to the soft and caring heart that is hiding underneath. And subsequently, Penny gets to know Terrance and realizes he is the calm to her chaotic mind.
I have a soft spot for characters that are a little different. Penny has no diagnosis but it’s clear she has some sensory issues. She feels like an outsider and a freak, and I can’t resist when someone breaks down their walls to find the sweet soul within. There is a point where there are some major communication breakdowns and misunderstandings, but I was happy to see they worked it out together (reminding myself that Penny is young so I can’t blame her for her actions!).
My only dislike was the secret baby trope. I just…hate those so much. K Webster did this one well, but I went into this book with a bias against it.
I’m now hoping we get a few more books featuring the side characters – Jace, I’m looking at you!
Book: Hood River Zero by K Webster
Series: Hood River Hoodlums #4
Genre: High School/New Adult
Hotness: medium salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: secrets, misunderstandings