Review: The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

The Code for Love and Heartbreak by Jillian Cantor

Published by Inkyard Press on October 2020
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 304
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher
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4 Stars

Emma Woodhouse is a genius at math, but clueless about people. After all, people are unreliable. They let you down—just like Emma's sister, Izzy, did this year, when she moved to California for college. But numbers...those you can count on. (No pun intended.)

Emma's senior year is going to be all about numbers, and seeing how far they can take her. When she and George, her Coding Club co-president, are tasked with brainstorming a new project, The Code for Love is born—a matchmaking app that goes far beyond swiping, using algorithms to calculate compatibility. George disapproves of Emma's idea, accusing her of meddling in people's lives. But all the happy new couples at school are proof that the app works. At least at first.

Emma's code is flawless. So why is it that perfectly matched couples start breaking up, the wrong people keep falling for each other and her own feelings defy any algorithm? Emma thought math could solve everything. But there's nothing more complex—or unpredictable—than love.

I think retelling can be tricky, especially a retelling of one of my favorite books Emma by Jane Austen.

Jillian Cantor did not disapoint!

I love love love this book. It’s a wonderful and refreshing take on the classic, much like Clueless was for some of us (ahem) older folks. 😉

Emma is in coding club and comes up with the idea to code a dating app. Even though her co-president George (Knightly) doesn’t like the idea. I love how smart Emma is, how she is good at math and has a strong personality. Sure she might take things a step too far, but at the same time she is very passionate about the app and how math and she may be able to help her classmates.

Of course you’re going to George, because it’s George Knightly! I like how George is not swayed by Emma’s stubborness. Their friendship is really easy and while it’s obvious that there might be more (ahem) it’s fun to see the realization Emma has once she gets on the same page.

And Jane! I’m not going to lie but Jane was the real standout to me. In the original Emma, Jane is a secondary character, mostly spoken about and not necessarily in the action. She is a foil, mostly to bring out the flaws of Frank Churchill. She is seen as almost perfect, shy and accomplished and everyone talks about Jane Jane Jane. I love it that we get a real Jane Fairfax in this book. She doesn’t get along with Emma at first and has her own ideas. I love how their friendship really grows into something real and how she becomes more detailed.

Hannah is cool and all, but my friendship money is on Jane and Emma. I think they’re the real friends who will stand the test of time (aka college).

I also really liked the coding element. My husband is a coder so I understood some of the things they were talking about which was super helpful to me for believability.

And while this is a delightful retelling of one of my favorite books, I want to be clear that you don’t have to have read Emma to enjoy this! It’s easy to read with drama and heart all on its own. And if you have read Emma, or seen the films such as Emma or Clueless, you will still enjoy this updated twist on the classic.

I HEART EMMA AND GEORGE!