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Class Act by Kelsey Rodkey

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Class Act by Kelsey Rodkey

You know that feeling when you’re the new kid at school, desperate to make friends and fit in? Now imagine having to look out for your little sister on top of that, while also accidentally making an enemy of the student council president on day one. Talk about a rough start! This is exactly the predicament Ella Parker-Evans finds herself in at the beginning of Kelsey Rodkey’s charming new YA romance, Class Act.

As someone who changed schools halfway through high school myself, I felt an immediate kinship with Ella. The awkwardness, the uncertainty, the pressure to reinvent yourself – Rodkey captures it all perfectly. But Ella isn’t content to just blend into the background. Oh no, this girl’s got fire. When she decides to run for student council president herself, sparks really start to fly. Add in a fake dating scheme with the principal’s impossibly charming son, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a thoroughly entertaining read.

Plot Rundown: Politics, Romance, and High School Drama Collide

Here’s the deal: Ella and her sister Connie transfer to fancy-pants Courtland Academy, where Ella immediately butts heads with smug student council president Thomas. Determined to take him down a peg, Ella decides to run against him in a redo election. Enter Patrick, the principal’s son and resident heartthrob. He offers to pretend to be Ella’s boyfriend to help her win votes. Classic fake dating trope, am I right?

But of course, things get messy. Feelings develop, secrets come out, alliances shift. It’s high school politics at its finest (or maybe worst?). As Ella navigates campaign drama, family expectations, and her growing feelings for Patrick, she has to figure out what – and who – she really wants.

What Works: The Good Stuff

Room for Improvement: The Not-So-Great

Deep Dive: Themes and Character Analysis

Finding Your Voice

At its core, Class Act by Kelsey Rodkey is about Ella discovering who she really is and what she stands for. When we first meet her, she’s defined largely by her role as Connie’s protector. As she campaigns for president, Ella has to figure out her own values and learn to advocate for herself. It’s a journey many teens will relate to.

Rodkey does a great job showing Ella’s growth. We see her go from reactive and unsure to proactive and confident. By the end, Ella’s learned to balance her responsibilities to others with her own needs and desires. It’s not a smooth process—there are plenty of missteps along the way—but that’s what makes it feel real.

The Pressure of Expectations

Another major theme is the weight of other people’s expectations. Ella feels immense pressure from her parents to watch out for Connie. Patrick struggles with his dad’s demanding nature and disapproval of his culinary dreams. Even side characters like Stevie grapple with family expectations.

I appreciated how Rodkey explored the way these expectations can both motivate and stifle young people. The characters have to learn to set boundaries and pursue their own passions, even when it disappoints others. It’s a valuable lesson for teen readers.

Character Spotlight: Patrick

Let’s talk about our boy Patrick for a sec. On the surface, he seems like your typical YA love interest – handsome, charming, and secretly sensitive. But Rodkey gives him layers that elevate him above the standard teen heartthrob.

Patrick uses humor as both a shield and a way to connect with others. He’s confident on the outside, but harbors deep insecurities about his worth. His struggle to please his demanding father while staying true to himself forms the core of his character arc.

What I love most about Patrick is how he challenges Ella to be her best self, even as he’s figuring himself out. Their relationship feels like a true partnership of equals by the end.

Writing Style: Witty Banter and Emotional Depth

Rodkey’s writing strikes a great balance between humor and heart. The dialogue crackles with wit—I found myself constantly chuckling at Ella’s dry observations and Patrick’s goofy one-liners. But there’s substance beneath the snark.

The more emotional scenes pack a real punch. I may or may not have teared up a bit during Ella and Connie’s big sisterly heart-to-heart (no judgement, okay?). Rodkey has a knack for capturing those small, relatable moments that make characters feel truly alive on the page.

I also appreciated how she wove in details about food throughout the story. From Ella’s mom’s vegan creations to Patrick’s culinary experiments, the descriptions were mouth-watering. It added another layer of sensory detail that really immersed me in the world of the book.

Comparisons: How Does It Stack Up?

Class Act is Kelsey Rodkey’s fourth YA novel, following Last Chance Books, A Disaster in Three Acts, and Plus One. While I haven’t read her previous works, Class Act definitely makes me want to check them out. Her knack for snappy dialogue and complex teen characters shines through here.

In terms of similar titles, Class Act reminded me a bit of Becky Albertalli’s Leah on the Offbeat with its focus on senior year stress and self-discovery. The fake dating plotline gave me echoes of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, though with higher stakes. And the emphasis on sister relationships brought Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen to mind.

Final Verdict: A Solid A-

Is Class Act by Kelsey Rodkey reinventing the wheel when it comes to YA romance? Not really. But it executes familiar tropes with such charm and heart that I didn’t mind one bit. Ella’s journey from uncertain new girl to confident leader is genuinely inspiring. Her romance with Patrick had me alternately swooning and yelling at the book in frustration (in the best way).

This is the kind of story that reminds you how intense and all-consuming the high school experience can feel. It captures that bittersweet mix of excitement and anxiety that comes with senior year—when you’re on the cusp of adulthood but still figuring out who you want to be.

I’d recommend Class Act to anyone who enjoys:

Who Should Read It?

Who Might Want to Skip It?

Standout Quotes

  • “I am an android programmed for one mission—protect Connie—and I will self-destruct before I let someone stop me from being successful.”

  • “Being an older sister is often a thankless job, and one where my attempts to amuse the both of us go unnoticed.”

  • “I hate how the better people are never supposed to throw hands.”

  • “I’m doing this for me. My whole life I haven’t felt seen or heard, and this election has made me realize it.”

The Bottom Line

Class Act by Kelsey Rodkey is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to both die-hard YA romance fans and more casual readers. Kelsey Rodkey has crafted a story with enough familiar elements to feel comforting, but enough unique touches to keep things fresh.

Ella’s journey from insecure new girl to confident leader is genuinely inspiring. Her romance with Patrick had me alternately swooning and yelling at the book in frustration (in the best way). And the emphasis on sister relationships and finding your own path gives the story extra emotional weight.

While it may not be groundbreaking, Class Act executes its tropes with such charm and heart that I didn’t mind one bit. It’s the literary equivalent of a warm hug—comforting, familiar, and guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face.

So go ahead, raise your hand and vote “yay” for this delightful high school romp. Class Act gets my vote for a fun, feel-good read that’s perfect for when you need a break from the real world. Now if you’ll excuse me, I suddenly have a craving for vegan eggplant parmesan…

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