Cale Dietrich’s debut young-adult novel “The Love Interest” started off strong, but in the end failed to develop characters and relationships past the superficial.
The novel, which can be classified as both science fiction and romance, breaks the stereotype of the love triangle trope in a refreshing, modern take on young love.
The book centers around the narrator Caden and Dylan, both teenage spies for a secret organization that creates “Love Interests” — spies whose sole job is to woe and marry important people.
Caden and Dylan each have their roles to play as they compete for the affection of tech genius Juliet. Dietrich makes fun of common YA tropes: Caden, a Nice spy, plays the boy-next-door good guy, while Dylan is the polar-opposite as a Bad spy (think Judd Nelson a la “Breakfast Club”).
Whoever doesn’t get the girl doesn’t get to live.
The novel is reminiscent of the young adult versions of cult classic sci-fi shows “Dollhouse” or “Alias,” with the evil, mysterious agency controlling the lives of the unwilling spies.
All of the characters in Dietrich’s books are strong; even Juliet is not made out to be the princess in the ivory tower, but a brilliant young woman who can save herself. While the simple message of staying true to oneself is prominent throughout, the level of romantic commitment — and in some cases love —the characters feel toward one another by the end of the book does not seem true.
Dietrich misses an important step in his story: the time between meeting and getting to know someone and completely trusting him or her. In his world, it just happens, and even when major lies and possible deceit is revealed the offended person easily brushes it off and forgives the other.
The misstep only compounds as the book wears on, detracting from the potential weight of the climax, as there is little emotional investment in characters other than the narrator.
Despite the lack of emotional investment, the book is a fast and fun read. It has its laugh-out-loud moments and it’s touching ones. The best scenes are those between the two boys as Dylan and Caden wrestle with right and wrong, instinct and emotion.
Don’t go into this book expecting a revelation, just a pleasant read.
