Riley lives in TropeTown, where everyone plays stock roles in novels. Riley, a Manic Pixie Dream Boy, is sent to group therapy after going off-script. Riley knows that breaking the rules again could get him terminated, yet he feels there must be more to life than recycling the same clichés for readers’ entertainment. Then he meets Zelda, a Manic Pixie Dream Girl (Geek Chic subtype), and falls head over heels in love. Zelda’s in therapy too, along with several other Manic Pixies. But TropeTown has a dark secret, and if Riley and his fellow Manic Pixies don’t get to the bottom of it, they may all be terminated.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for this ARC! I was instantly hooked by the name and the premise, and I am so excited to say that it did NOT let me down!

We follow Riley, a lone Manic Pixie Dream Boy, as he navigates life in TropeTown. We are introduced to so many tropes and sub types and even a few Developeds (the main characters of your favorite novels) and even though some of these share characteristics, they are all their own standout beings. I loved the absolute whimsy of this novel; just the idea of writers calling forth physical muses to create their stories around was intoxicating.

Watching Riley’s journey for self-actualization was endearing and I couldn’t stop reading. It had me wondering what trope I would be, and hoping I could be a Manic Pixie with their love, light, and undeniable quirkiness. I loved the hints to popular scenes in media that we all love, notable ones being 10 Things I Hate About You and The Fault in Our Stars.

We are also given a hard hitting realization that we do have these stereotypes that we lean on, not only in media, but in life, but these people are rarely only what they seem. We put them in boxes, and never let them realize their full potential, which is a mistake especially in real life. To quote one of my favorite lines from the novel, we must make sure that we make everyone feel like poetry, not shorthand.

I loved this book, and I secretly hope there will be a sequel, for reasons you’ll have to read the book yourself to find out!

5/5 stars