How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend    by Janette Rallison Order:  USA  Can Putnam, 2007 (2007) Hardcover     Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend is a fun, fast-paced young adult romantic comedy. Author Janette Rallison knows how to craft an enjoyable read, perfect for summer beach reading. Giovanna's life is far from perfect, but she does have one thing going for her: her sweet, caring, and incredibly handsome boyfriend Jesse. The rest of her existence is filled with fighting with her step-mom and doing community service for a crime she did not commit, although the recovered evidence points to her. Things go from bad to worse, though, when her twin brother Dante challenges the most popular boy in school, Wilson, in the upcoming student president campaign and Jesse becomes Wilson's campaign manager. When she presses him for an explanation, all Jesse will tell her is that Wilson called in a favor. Furious at Jesse for being used by the opposing candidate, Giovanna breaks up with him and agrees to be Dante's campaign manager. After a few days, Giovanna begins to regret her rash decision as she realizes she still wants to be with Jesse. Now Giovanna and her friends must help get Dante elected while trying to get the opposing campaign managers back together. Though it is obvious how the story must end, the path that the author takes to get there is full of twists, turns, and fun-filled surprises. Rallison expertly creates situations that are realistic yet ripe for conflict and/or plot advancement. By doing this and also creating likable, relatable characters, she keeps the reader engaged and makes it hard to put the book down. There is not one single slow spot in How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend, which makes it a perfect summer read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews