Frizzy-haired and socially awkward sixteen-year-old Marlowe Ford is the self-proclaimed "nerdy best friend" of the high energy and gutsy Lenny Taylor whose boyfriend Jacob is never far behind. Together the girls are navigating the start of their junior year of high school, along with Lenny's older brother, Carter, who Marlowe lovingly refers to as the "golden retriever of boys." Forever the single best friend, Marlowe is determined this year to find The One. Having met at summer camp as kids, the girls and their families have been friends since they were eight. So, Marlowe and Lenny can't believe it when Beau Braxton, an old camp friend and huge childhood crush of Marlowe's, shows up on the first day of school after having moved away years ago. Marlowe is already planning her future together with the newly returned Beau. Always the one to be pining about boys, she isn't necessarily lovesick. Marlowe is Boysick.Marlowe is crushed when Beau shares with her his interest in the rich, popular, gorgeous queen bee of the school, Maya. But Marlowe isn't letting that dash her dreams with Beau, and she offers up a scheme to him to become a "fake couple" to make Maya jealous and win her over-while secretly trying to win over Beau for herself. When her plan with Beau blows up, the lines become blurred and she finds herself seeking solace with the person who has been there for her all along. It's up to Marlowe to find out what's fake and what's real.