Review: The Improbably Theory of Ana and Zak by Brian Katcher

Title: The Improbably Theory of Ana and Zak

Author: Brian Katcher

Publisher: Katherine Tegen

Publication Date: 5.19.2015

Pages: 336

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Series: N/A

Source: ARC from publisher

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak is Stonewall Book Award-winning author Brian Katcher’s hilarious he said/she said romance about two teens recovering from heartbreak and discovering themselves on an out-of-this-world accidental first date.....

Review:

THE IMPROBABLY THEORY OF ANA AND ZAK is a light, easy read from Brian Katcher. It’s a sweet and simple romance with a healthy dose of opposites attract and a lot of crazy shenanigans. I think younger readers will love this and older readers might be left shaking their heads muttering about those crazy kids nowadays.

Ana is an overachiever and Zak is a slack. So of course they are thrown together over and over and over again in one ridiculous plot after another. Zak isn’t a slacker – he’s misunderstood. Ana isn’t a brainiac – she’s got issues. Those two tropes alone made me roll my eyes frequently, but they situations they get into (and the way their parents are) just drive me crazy. This book is less about a slacker and a brain (sorry, but I’m revoking your Breakfast Club labels) and more about two kids who need to grow up, and actually do a little of that.

A little.

Look, this book does have its funny moments that made me giggle. And I think some of this would be downright hysterical if made into a movie, but as a book, it felt like it was lacking depth and emotion.

In theory, THE IMPROBABALE THEORY OF ANA AND ZAK is a cute book that will attract a lot of people who like a quirky, unexpected romance with a dash of crazy (think Stephanie Perkins). There was just a little too much quirk and angst for me to get behind Ana and Zak.