Book Review: ‘The Fall of Whit Rivera’
A swoony, slow-burn YA with PCOS rep and serious autumn vibes.
About The Fall of Whit Rivera
The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado
Whit Rivera has a plan for everything—except maybe how to survive being forced to co-chair the Fall Formal with her ex–middle school boyfriend turned academic nemesis, Zay. She’s a perfectionist with a flair for themed playlists and fall aesthetics; he’s a chill skater who broke her heart and couldn’t care less about centerpieces. But as they bicker their way through committee meetings and hot-glue emergencies, Whit starts to wonder if maybe their enemies-to-something-more energy is worth pursuing. It’s messy, it’s awkward, it’s very feelings-forward—and it might just be love.
I didn’t love the writing. There, I said it. Some of the prose leans heavily on exposition, and the pacing wobbles in places. But here’s the thing: The Fall of Whit Rivera still had me hooked — because the story? The characters? The chemistry? All the yes.
Let me preface this by saying: I’m not in high school anymore (far from it…). My last locker combo is long forgotten, and if anyone tried to pass me a note these days, it would likely be a crumpled receipt from the bottom of a diaper bag. But oh, The Fall of Whit Rivera brought me right back.
Whitney Rivera and Zay have been frenemies since middle school — and not the flirty kind. We’re talking full-on history here: he dumped her in the most humiliating way possible (cue second-hand embarrassment), and she’s never forgiven him. So when they're forced to co-chair the Fall Formal Committee together? It’s a logistical and emotional nightmare.
Whit is everything Zay is not: she’s type-A, planner-obsessed, Pinterest-board passionate, and blessed with intense Autumn girl energy (think: cosy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and a deep, possibly spiritual, connection to Gilmore Girls). Zay is chill, skater-boy nonchalant. Obviously, sparks fly. Some are full-blown “I can’t stand you” rages. Some… decidedly not.
There’s an undeniable charm to how Crystal Maldonado writes their rivals-to-lovers arc. The banter is tight, the tension slow-burning, and their dynamic nails that delicious teen pining vibe — all without ever veering into “spicy.” It’s all yearning, no steam, which feels both age-appropriate and narratively satisfying.
But what really sets this book apart is how it layers that rom-com goodness with real, complex issues. Whitney isn’t just dealing with ex-drama and prom decor — she’s navigating a fresh PCOS diagnosis (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, a hormone disorder that affects everything from periods to skin, weight, and fertility1). Maldonado doesn’t relegate this to a quiet subplot; it’s an integral part of Whit’s journey, portrayed with honesty, vulnerability, and — crucially — without letting it define her.
One of the most touching elements is witnessing Whit struggle and her (eventual) willingness to open up about it to her loved ones. It sends a crucial message: that seeking support when facing health challenges is not only brave — it’s necessary. Whit’s friends Sophie and Marisol were fully fleshed out characters and had some very sweet moments.
I also loved that Whitney is unabashedly girly. She loves sparkles, pretty things, planner stickers, all of it — and Maldonado lets her have that without mocking it or using it as shorthand for weakness. Femininity isn’t something Whit outgrows. It’s something she owns.
Then, there's Lily, Whitney's little sister. She’s autistic2, funny, sharp, and fully herself — never reduced to a stereotype or an afterthought. Her character is a reminder of how important — and still far too rare — it is to see neurodivergent kids portrayed with complexity, joy, and dignity in fiction. Representation like this matters, especially in books that teens will see themselves in.
So, is The Fall of Whit Rivera the most dazzlingly written YA novel I’ve ever read? No. But it is a blisteringly heartwarming one — and for anyone who’s ever had a complicated diagnosis, a high school crush they couldn’t quite shake, or a sibling who lights up their world, it just might be exactly the comfort read you need.
MOM BRAIN FILTER
I want Teresa to read books like this when she’s older. Stories that reflect softness as strength and show girls like Whit being emotional and worthy of love without conditions.
READ IF YOU:
Want more thoughtful rep of PCOS and neurodivergence in fiction
Love a slow burn with genuine emotional stakes
Think romance should come with both butterflies and honesty
Miss high school formal drama, but not too much
Crave a tight-knit family dynamic full of love and support
SKIP IF YOU:
You’re here for high literary style over emotional resonance
Are allergic to tropes (because this is delightfully full of them)
⭐ RULING
Romcom chaos
meets
real-life curveballs
— and sticks the landing.
No, The Fall of Whit Rivera isn’t the most lyrically written YA novel on the shelf — but it is one of the most emotionally sincere. It’s tender, tropey, and full of heart, with a heroine who embraces glitter, girliness, and vulnerability without apology. Crystal Maldonado gives us a messy, heartfelt slow burn wrapped in tulle and real talk. Come for the rivals-to-lovers tension; stay for the nuanced rep, soft sisterhood, and the reminder that you don’t need to harden to be taken seriously.
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YOUR TURN
Whether you’ve already fallen for Whit or you’re just here feeling tempted… Tell me in the comments:
Does this sound like your kind of read?
What’s the last book that made you feel all the feelings?
Do you remember your own “Whit moment” — that messy, unforgettable first love?
👇 Let’s talk. I’m listening.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a pervasive hormone problem for women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries. PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain (read more about it on the Johns Hopkins Medicine website).
If you want to know more about how and why so many more boys than girls are diagnosed with autism, you can read the article Why Many Autistic Girls Are Overlooked, by Beth Arky, on the Child Mind Institute website. There’s also a good article about Understanding Undiagnosed Autism in Adult Females on the UCLA Health website.