Worst-Case Scenario
Ray Stoeve
Amulet Books
Published January 20, 2026
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
About Worst-Case Scenario
New from Ray Stoeve comes an enemies-to-lovers romance about nemeses who are forced to share their school’s Queer Alliance presidency following a tie in the election.
Sidney has one goal for their junior year. Well . . . two, if they’re being honest. Number become president of their school’s Queer Alliance club. And number keep their self-diagnosed anxiety in check so their grades don’t tank like they did last year.
But when the election results in a tie with none other than Sidney’s arch nemesis, the class clown Forrest, the two are forced to share the presidency until a revote at the end of term. Sidney expects Forrest to be insufferable, but it turns out that working together is . . . kind of nice?
As surprising feelings for Forrest emerge, Sidney’s techniques for managing their anxiety stop working. With the reelection approaching and assignments starting to pile up, will all this pressure be too much for Sidney to handle on their own?
My Review
I felt Sidney’s emotions throughout this story. Their fear was palpable. I could see them slip into hamster-wheel thinking, where their thoughts spiral, and they couldn’t stop. Stoeve did an incredible job bringing these experiences to the page. I was absolutely lost in the story and desperate to see Sidney get the help they needed.
The characters had a lot of life in them, too. Sidney, their moms, their dad, their friend Anna, and Forrest all have really distinct personalities and characteristics. When a character entered a scene speaking or texting, I knew immediately who it was. Sidney also has a lot of layers, too. I like that the story never reduces them to their mental health issues. Their hopes, relationships, and other feelings consistently drive the story forward.
The development of the relationship between Sidney and Forrest is so sweet. I like that they both had misconceptions about one another, but they both have to give and grow to find their way to romance.
I’m loving that more authors are writing novels that include their own mental health experiences now. I think this can’t help but make it easier for kids to understand what it’s like to have a mental illness or to help them feel less alone and potentially find the courage to speak up about what they’re going through.
Readers who enjoy books by Sonora Reyes or Adam Silvera should pick this one up.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 16 up.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used pretty frequently.
Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. References to making out.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violent Content
Sidney remembers some intense arguments between their parents.
Drug Content
Sidney’s dad is a recovering alcoholic. Sidney remembers him behaving badly while drunk in the past.
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