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Flirting with Maybe

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He was fifteen and she was seventeen.

When sophomore Ryan "The Kid" McPhearson makes the Varsity baseball team, he finds himself submersed into the life of upperclassmen, and falling in love with senior Brooke Bennet. To Ryan she's his dream girl, perfect. Maybe to the outside world a two-year age difference doesn't matter, but this is high school. Everything matters.

Ryan soon realizes Brooke's life is not so perfect. He becomes her closest friend, her safe place to fall when she needs to escape. Ryan seems to be benched in the friend zone with no chance to bat.

Time is both a curse and a blessing. It ushers Brooke away to college, and Ryan into the arms of his first girlfriend. It alters Ryan from a kid to a high school graduate, ready to venture to college himself. But when Ryan sees Brooke again he realizes there are some things even time can't touch.

Though much has changed, one question still remains. Will the things that mattered in high school always stand between them?

92 pages, ebook

First published March 5, 2013

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About the author

Wendy Higgins

18 books7,950 followers
Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NY Times bestselling author of the SWEET EVIL series from HarperTeen, the high fantasy duology THE GREAT HUNT, her independently published Irish Fantasy SEE ME, and her indie NA science fiction UNKNOWN trilogy.
After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.
Wendy lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her husband, daughter, son, and little doggies Rue & Nessie.

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5 stars
255 (18%)
4 stars
414 (29%)
3 stars
512 (36%)
2 stars
173 (12%)
1 star
62 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
Profile Image for Wendy Higgins.
Author 18 books7,950 followers
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March 6, 2013
Eep! This will be my first published contemporary/realistic YA fiction! When HarperTeen bought my 2nd and 3rd books, they also asked if I could write a novella for their new Impulse line of ebooks. It was perfect timing because I'd actually been thinking about revisiting a short story I wrote for a college class. So I pulled out that story, dusted it off, and had a blast expanding it into a novella. The original title was TOYS since everyone seems to be toying with each other and Ryan drives a "toy box." :)
It's a very different style from my Sweet books...be warned. It's written in 3rd person point of view, and is mostly from Ryan, the boy's, perspective. But not to worry. . . THERE'S KISSING. <3

Now, remember...I was asked to write a novella, not a novel, so please don't hate me because it's too short, lol. My hands were tied regarding the length. That being said, this piece was really rushed through edits, and probably DOES need a bit more. So I've written an epilogue which takes place 2 years after the story ends, and it's posted on my blog under "Extras" http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com/p/e...

And lastly, as a bonus, the prologue and first chapter of Sweet Peril will be included. SWEET.
Profile Image for Susan's Reviews.
1,063 reviews479 followers
April 6, 2021
This was the sweetest story (a novella, really)!
Ryan is younger than Brooke by almost two years, and in high school this makes all the difference. They become friends and Ryan just falls deeper under her spell as time goes by. Brooke's life is all kinds of messed up. When she breaks up with her boyfriend, Ryan offers to take her to senior prom: he tells her that night, as he is driving her home, that one day he will marry her. She is fond of him, but won't take him seriously.

Brooke goes off to college and Ryan tries to move on, but he can't seem to forget her and push her completely out of his life.

Then one day, Brooke returns to town on a visit. Brooke has been down some very dark and troubling roads during the intervening years. Well, I was surprised at the turn of events resulting from this visit.
Suffice it to say that Ryan grew up to be a true gentleman.
Find out for yourself if Brooke finally came to her senses and decided that this younger man was miles above any of the college boys she's been burning the candle at both ends with.

Just a really great read. Highly recommended.
March 12, 2013
Me before reading the epilogue..

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...



breath.breath.breath..


Me after reading the epilogue..............

WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





crazyyyyyyyyyy ....



the world is soooo prettyyyyy...


Wow i used so many gifs.. Oh well.. i blame wendy.. :P
Wendyyy I LOVE YOU.........



Warning: I skipped some scenes... So it contains skips..
Profile Image for Nyrae Dawn.
Author 24 books3,946 followers
December 11, 2012
It's Wendy Higgins so how can it not be amazing? FLIRTING WITH MAYBE is a fun, sweet, romance that I couldn't help but devour. I wouldn't have minded a guy like Ryan falling for me when I was in high school :)
Profile Image for Katy.
611 reviews333 followers
March 23, 2013
The story was sweet, but really, it was just okay. I’m a sucker for the good friend finally getting the girl at the end, especially when it’s the case where she never realized what was in front of her all along.

Still, I wish “Ry” had been a little more tough - not only with Brooke but also with Michelle. And I’m kind of disappointed that Higgins made Brooke the cliched damsel in distress character that has the overused reasons for not trusting guys. I think the combination of the two robbed from the fact that there are normal good guys out there who DO get the girl - not just the overly nice guy getting the emotionally scarred girl.

But it’s a quick, sweet read nonetheless. Don’t forget to read the epilogue on the author’s website: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B...
Profile Image for Mayu.
1,282 reviews157 followers
January 5, 2015
Tenía muchas ganas de leer a Wendy Higgins, quería saber cómo era esta autora, y esta novela corta me parecía perfecta. Pero el resultado no ha sido el esperado, así que, esta novela se suma a mi lista de abandonados.

Esta novela es mala, pero mala con ganas. ¿Habéis visto esa sinopsis? Pues eso es todo lo que ocurre en la novela y absolutamente nada más. Así que, seré clara, leída la sinopsis, leída la novela. Una auténtica pena, porque yo tenía curiosidad por esta autora y por esta novela. Pero ha sido una gran decepción.

Flirting with maybe es una novela insulsa, boba, que no me ha gustado nada. Esperaba un poquito de esta novela, tampoco mucho, pero es que la novela es una sucesión de momentos vacíos, de drama porque-sí.

No me ha gustado la trama, no me ha gustado su narrador y protagonista, ni la secundaria, ni nada. Personajes, trama, narración, nada me ha parecido gran cosa. Es una historia de adolescentes más, con un cliché tras otro. Es una novela incoherente, ese final no tiene sentido alguno, y si esa es su forma de justificar el amor, me parece muy feo.

Flirting with maybe está narrado por un chico de quince años. Un chico virgen, inocente, flacucho. Él se enamora de la chica más popular del instituto, Brooke, pero Brooke solo le ve como un hermano, acostumbrada como está a acostarse con cretinos del último curso.

Ryan es un cliché en si mismo, y lo mismo pasa con Brooke. Él es el típico empollón, el chico al que los mayores insultan, y al que las chicas usan como pañuelo de lágrimas, Brooke sobre todo. Y Brooke es la típica animadora de instituto, que solo sabe irse de fiesta, beber hasta perder la consciencia, y abrirse de piernas ante el primer chico malote y musculoso, el típico cretino que no te daría ni las buenas noches antes de preguntarte si tienes un condón.

En serio, esta novela es tan sosa, predecible y estúpida, y sus protagonistas y secundarios también. No es que no haya podido entenderles, es que no me han gustado. No son más que un prototipo sin vida, personajes de cartón que no tienen nada que contar. Que un chico sea el narrador podría haber sido un soplo de aire fresco, pero en este caso, solo ha sido algo tedioso.

Brooke es una idiota, Ryan también, ninguno de los dos tienen personalidad. Se pasan dos años buscándose e ignorándose, acostándose con otras personas, reprimiendo sus sentimientos, acobardándose ante la vida, perdiendo el tiempo en novias estúpidas a las que no aman u acostándose con chicos de usar y tirar, para al final, volver a encontrarse en una fiesta y casi darse un revolcón, pero con amor, eh *ironía*. Vamos, siendo los típicos adolescentes de novela dramática.

Definitivamente, paso de seguir leyendo esta novela y de probar nada más de Wendy. ¬¬
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
230 reviews63 followers
September 2, 2013
Wendy Higgins wrote it? Of course I would read it, It was a good short story :) happy to see an older girl/younger boy relationship
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So... first chapter of Sweet Peril(the real reason why I wanted to read this , sorry:))
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first Iron man 3 new trailer and then this!!!
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420 reviews62 followers
March 10, 2013
I loved this story. Even though it's only a little over 90 pages long this novella manages to cover a time span of 3 years without feeling rushed or unbelievable. Ryan is a sweet guy who developes from an awkward and shy 15yo to a really great guy you can't help but like. Brooke with her troubled past and personal issues is just as likeable (if not as much as Ryan).
The only thing that made it a 4 star read instead of 5 is that the ending kind of snuck up on me. It's my and my kindles fault really because there's a long excerpt of Sweet Peril at the end I didn't know about and when the book ended at 77% it threw me a little.

EDIT: Don't miss the epilogue (like I almost did. Thanks Mina!) that takes a lot of the abruptness of the ending away: http://www.wendyhigginswrites.com/p/e...
Profile Image for Isabella.
Author 3 books86 followers
March 7, 2013


OH *SIGHS* this story was... Perfect. Romantic, romantic, OH SO ROMANTIC! I can't stop all these fuzzy feelings I'm, well, feeling and... God, Higgins, you have me. I'll read your other books, but you PLEASE write something else like this. PLEASE. I need it.

I'm currently like this:

Profile Image for Kristi.
1,188 reviews2,891 followers
March 9, 2013
i loved it! it was much to short, but i guess that's what a novella is all about, i just wanted more of these characters!

Wendy Higgins has a new fan!
Profile Image for Reign.
175 reviews28 followers
February 20, 2017
Short story about high school romance that started out as a crush. Meh. Just a prep for more books I'll read soon.
Profile Image for Lucy Carstairs Herondale.
1,189 reviews143 followers
April 29, 2013

I love Wendy Higgins and her books so freaking much!


I usually hate every single novella and short book I read, exactly due to the short length.

I just feel everything is rushed and fake and I end up hating it.

But, Wendy made me love her novella.

I loved Ryan and Brooke's story so freaking much!

Ryan is totally swoon-worthy! I feel so sorry for the pain he felt when his feelings were not taken seriously and then when he watched Brooke pull away from him.

Just heartbreaking!

How could Brooke not see earlier that she didn't need to lose herself to alcohol or get involved with some random to ease the pain, because she had love right there in front of her?

She made all the wrong choices and that's why she frustrated me so much.

But I'm glad she eventually saw the light. And I was so freaking happy for Ryan, of course!

This gif perfectly depicts Ryan and Brooke's relationship:


Read this one, guys! And don't forget to go to Wendy's website and read the epilogue.

I was freaking out when I thought Wendy was going to leave me hanging like that, what with that ending and everything.

The epilogue really gave my mind a little rest. ;)
Profile Image for Michelle B .
192 reviews12 followers
December 21, 2014
1.5 exactamente.

El porque de la puntuación es simplemente porque el libro no engancha. A pesar de que sus personajes principales no fueran malos, sino que agradables a mi gusto, no es suficiente para que sea un buen libro.

Por otro lado, a pesar de que soy una fanática de los POV de los hombres, la narrativa no me gustó. Si bien no la encontré aburrida, porque Ryan de cierta manera lo encontré un chico dulce y lindo, tiene una forma de narrar los hechos un tanto apresurada, ya que el tiempo que transcurre el libro es amplio, pareció que todo lo contaba muy rápido, quizás a Wendy le faltaron páginas para toda la trama que quería poner en esta historia.

El final por otro lado, es muy malo, realmente no puedes terminar un libro así sin siquiera darme un epílogo aunque sea de un mes después. You can't.

Otra cosa, ¡¡que problema tiene Wendy con las Michelle!! Ya ha ocupado en éste libro y en Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3) ese nombre tan hermoso y encantador en un personaje odioso y latoso. Debe haberse cruzado con alguna tocaya mía que la dejó marcada de por vida creo. Otsea.

Anyway, Flirting With Maybe es igualmente un libro pasable que puedes llegar a odiar, aburrir, dejarte indiferente o encontralo bien, pero de ninguna manera es para amar.
Profile Image for Ariana.
936 reviews1,303 followers
September 9, 2016
Such a cute novella. In the beginning I couldn't stop giggling ;))
Also it reminded me of funny high-school drama and parties, and best friends.. Maybe I miss those times more than I thought I would.

Also, it's funny because my husband is around 2 years younger than me as well. I met him when I finished high-school and I still wonder if things would have worked out the same if we had met earlier (you see, it's true.. 2 years seem like a lot when you are in school, and girls don't quite rush into relationships with younger boys, LOL)

Anyways.. funny read, a short one too, if you feel like laughing maybe you should pick it up ;)
Profile Image for Brooke.
171 reviews8 followers
July 29, 2013
A sweet novella about first crushes, friendships and how life seems to never end beyond high school. Ryan was a sweetie and Brooke was a young girl fighting to find herself in all the wrong ways. Def recommend!
Profile Image for Mary.
64 reviews15 followers
April 2, 2013
Such a quick sweet read, takes you back to school days and your true love.
Wendy did amazing, I did kinda wanted this to be a bit longer but Wendy's book do that to me, I can never get enough!
671 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2021
A cute story about high school love and then seeing how it plays out after high school. The way things played out between Ryan and Brooke captured me throughout this book. I would recommend this quick read if you need to add some sugar to your bitter day.
Profile Image for Crystal P.
490 reviews7 followers
September 12, 2021
I love a good teen romance, because even at nearly 40 years old I have vivid memories of first love. Brooke and Ryan’s journey had me in tears at times, because there is nothing like the pain of young love and navigating those waters. The age difference, the general dynamics of teenagers and both teens’ family lives added layers to the love story. I want more, but I also like being able to have all the positive projections of where the future took these two that I come up with myself.
Profile Image for Amber Todd.
394 reviews5 followers
September 13, 2021
This book brought back all the memories and feelings of being a teenager and having to deal with love and feelings. It was sweet and emotional. My only complaint is that it just sort of ended and left me wanting more.
Profile Image for Jen.
889 reviews113 followers
July 26, 2013
Knowing that Wendy Higgins can write smexy times in YA, I was curious to pick up Flirting with Maybe. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan of Sweet Evil, it’s always intriguing to see an author write in a different genre than what they’re used to writing. Being a novella, Flirting with Maybe was certainly a short, quick and cute read, but nothing more.

Three main points about my opinions with this short story:

- Time went by way too fast in this book. Just short of 100 pages, this book took place in the span of two years, give or take a few months. Do you know how fast that is? I felt like Higgins was just quickly skimming over everything that happened, and it just irked me a bit. Things could have been more developed!

- I didn’t understand the romance. Ryan, who’s perspective the story is told in, was kind of.. Obsessed with Brooke, a girl who’s 2 years older than him. I didn’t care about the age difference, but I never understood why he liked/loved her so much. It seemed purely physical to me most of the time…

- I liked the male POV! I always love when female authors take a stab at writing through the eyes of the opposite gender. I bow down to these authors! Higgins did a solid job, and it’s especially interesting because this was a romance.

In all, Flirting with Maybe was a speedy read that would be great for reading by the pool or at the beach. I didn’t get much out of it, but it was entertaining.

RATING: 3 out of 5

THIS REVIEW WAS ORIGINALLY POSTED ON Books and Other Happy Ever Afters:
http://booksandotherhappyeverafters.w...

For more of my reviews, check out the blog:
http://booksandotherhappyeverafters.w...
Profile Image for Koliie.
11 reviews
March 17, 2013
What I thought of this..

Well, what did I think of it?
First (Be ready. It's gonna be looong sister) Ryan.
I can not express the love I feel for you!! I would die for you. you are sooooo perfect! Marry me!! Forget Brooke and be mine! Pleaseeeeee!!!! We were meant to be!! Can't you see. You+me=perfection! its as easy as that!!!!!! *Shouts from roof top* OH RYAN I LOVEEEEEE YOU!!!

Yes. This boy has me crazy. And why you ask? 'cause he is so sweet and nice and so REAL!! He is what every girl would love. EVERY.SINGLE.GIRL!! but too bad; you can't have him...HE'S MINE!! MINE I TELL YOU!! So hands of sisters.

Anyhoos (Got a little of track..sorry)
So besides his amazing looks and personality, Ryan is..in love..with me! Jokes. He, my love, is in love with this girl called Brooke. (BORING) But she, a girl with problems, doesn't love him the way he wants her to. Brooke and Ryan become really good friends...But he wants more..Dun Dun Duhhh

Well my thoughts..
I loved every moment of it. It was so realistic and relatable. every moment perfectly illustrated a teenagers life: Drinking, girls, parties etc.

I thought the name was PERFECT!! for the story. And I think Ryan is perfect for me :D

So if you have not read this then I recommend you do! You really do not want to miss out!!

Lotsa Love Koliie :'3
Profile Image for Maria Franco.
132 reviews
May 9, 2013
I loved Ryan I thought he was a sweet guy who definitely did not deserve to be so controlled by Michelle though I understand that she had problems of her own. What I didn't like about the story was Brooke. She played with Ryan, used him and then expected everything to be okay. Actually, she played all guys and then complained that they treated her like meat and used her. I didn't like how she was so weak. She never stood up for herself except to go to the college of her choice but once she got there she fucked it up because she was drinking and partying, and looking for love! I mean come on. I think the book had realistic. Issues but the ending also bugged me. Brooke DOES NOT NEED Ryan to stop drinking. She just needs to stop intentionally fucking up her life and realize that she has an amazing boy who loves her... So 3 stars because all the female characters in this book bothered me
Profile Image for Jonababez.
323 reviews42 followers
March 9, 2013
A wonderful short story! Everyone should read the epilogue, and you'll love it! Yay! It got me teary-eyed. ;)
428 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2018
J'ai bien aimé cette histoire surtout lorsque les deux personnages se retrouvent après quatre ans de séparation.
Profile Image for Aisha (seetheworldwithbooks).
454 reviews93 followers
January 12, 2020
Dear God, could you put a Ryan into my non-existent romance life? 💕💕 i will be happy forever if i have a guy as nice as Ryan i swear 💕
Profile Image for Brooke's Epic Emporium.
865 reviews188 followers
March 23, 2013
I wasn't sure what I was going to get from this book. I didn't read any blurbs, just knew it was Wendy and have only heard good things about her writing. So I figured I would dive right in and see what it was all about. So glad I did.

Blurb from Goodreads:
He was fifteen and she was seventeen.
When sophomore Ryan "The Kid" McPhearson makes the Varsity baseball team, he finds himself submersed into the life of upperclassmen, and falling in love with senior Brooke Bennet. To Ryan she's his dream girl, perfect. Maybe to the outside world a two-year age difference doesn't matter, but this is high school. Everything matters.
Ryan soon realizes Brooke's life is not so perfect. He becomes her closest friend, her safe place to fall when she needs to escape. Ryan seems to be benched in the friend zone with no chance to bat.
Time is both a curse and a blessing. It ushers Brooke away to college, and Ryan into the arms of his first girlfriend. It alters Ryan from a kid to a high school graduate, ready to venture to college himself. But when Ryan sees Brooke again he realizes there are some things even time can't touch.
Though much has changed, one question still remains. Will the things that mattered in high school always stand between them?

So I'm not much for contemporary reading. I am usually disappointed. So a novella is right up my ally because the time invested is not as much as reading a whole book and possibly being disappointed. But I wasn't disappointed with this. I was actually very pleased. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Ryan and Brooke progress. And, even tho I was pretty sure where the story was going, I still wanted to see how the characters grew and go to that point.

Ryan is a great character. Although, I did find him to seem older than his 15 years when the book first started. But he is endearing and so great. I love his emotions and how he was able to show us exactly how he felt. I felt them right along with him. I ached for him to be happy.
Brooke was an interesting character as told from Ryan's perspective. I can tell she has a bit of low self esteem, not realizing that she is worthy of the love others want to give her. She's a good person who carries some baggage, but she wouldn't have been interesting if she didn't!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I was also pleased with the epilogue that Wendy posted on her site. It packaged up the ending really well. And I love reading things from the male POV, since most YA/NA stories tend to come from the female perspective.

While this story wasn't unique, I still enjoyed riding it's wave. And I really love Wendy's writing. She has a canny ability to make your heart feel for what is happening to her characters. It's a sweet and adorable story that delves a bit more deeply into issues that many teens may face: love, loss, relationships. The story is relatable and authentic and the characters are developed nicely. A great read for anyone who loves a good contemporary love story.

4/5 stars
Profile Image for Karina {witchling wanderer}.
116 reviews133 followers
July 7, 2015
More reviews at A Reader Under The Sea

   I remembered that I simply wanted to get this novel because it had an excerpt to Sweet Peril (The second book to the Sweet Trilogy also by Wendy Higgins). But then I actually ended up loving this. It was such a cute little love story. And I was so sad because it ended up being so short when I wished it was a full length novel. But even though it's not, I still go back and re-read it because that's how much I enjoy it. It never gets tiring. It's not that often for me that a book causes me to love it so much that I actually want to read it over.

   Wendy Higgins has definitely captured my heart with her novels. I can't wait until her next publication.

   If you love contemporary romance, you'll especially love this. It starts off when Brooke is seventeen and Ryan is fifteen. It starts off with Ryan telling us how much he likes Brooke but because he's an underclassmen, she will never notice him. But because he's in the varsity baseball team and she's the manager, they meet and they get close. But Brooke has never really noticed his feelings for her. It's not until she moves away to college and comes back until they "connect".

   It's not to be missed. I fell in love with Ryan and Brooke. They made such a cute couple. And I wished it was upper YA because I love the sexy times. *Giggles* I wanted some steamy scenes but alas it's YA. But it's still really hot. And I'm glad that Wendy wrote an epilogue for that takes place 2 years later after the story ends (Not included in the book).

   Flirting With Maybe is fun for anyone looking for a short, quick read. It's not hard to read at all. It's intended for a more younger teen audience but it was still enjoyable and addicting. The story just pulls you right in and you never want to stop.

Make sure to check out the epilogue that Wendy Higgins wrote for this on her site:
The Epilogue


5 Stars: Out of This World!!
Profile Image for Aldy.
1,108 reviews
August 4, 2013
Es una buena historia peero... (si siempre hay un pero) no me gustaron varias cosas:
La protagonista femenina realmente no tiene un motivo para patear a Ry constantemente, entiendo que es difícil pasar de amigos a pareja, me ha pasado, pero una de dos, o elegis terminar toda relación con esa persona que quiere algo más o apostas a avanzar, no se puede quedar en el medio y jugar todo el tiempo con los sentimientos de Ry.
Además hay que sumarle que Ry no tenía ni un poquito de carácter, está bien que sea más chico y por eso parezca un poco inmaduro, pero le faltaba tener decisión, siempre alguien lo mandaba y creo que su forma de crítica estaba totalmente nublada, todo lo que hacía Brooke era perfecto y su novia Michelle siempre era mala, la verdad, me dieron ganas de que él termine con Michelle que al menos lo banco toda su relación, a diferencia de Brooke que estuvo divirtiéndose en la universidad mientras este otro tarado andaba sufriendo (y usando a M), pero ojo, la mala de la historia es ella (?) .
La verdad Brooke, no te lo mereces a Ry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews

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