Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl Review

Verdict: A funny, sex-positive sapphic YA rom-com: overachiever Margo Zimmerman, autistic and newly out, decides to ace being gay and trades history tutoring for “Queer 101” lessons from bisexual skater Abbie Sokoloff. Readers love the humour, the message that there is no wrong way to be queer and the dual-narrator audiobook; others found the voice “extremely online” and Abbie grating.

Best for: Readers who want a humorous, affirming coming-out rom-com with autistic and bisexual representation.

Heat level: Closed door

Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.9/5 — a 3.99 Goodreads average across 2,754 ratings, 4.02 on StoryGraph from 1,113 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 245 Amazon ratings)

Tropes: Tutor exchange, opposites attract, coming out, dual POV, YA, rom-com.

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl is Sara Waxelbaum and Brianna R. Shrum’s 2023 YA sapphic rom-com from Inkyard Press. Margo is gay, but she did not know until now, and as an overachiever at heart she is determined to ace it. All she needs is the right tutor.

It holds a 3.99 average across 2,754 Goodreads ratings, with 74% of them four or five stars, 4.02 on StoryGraph from 1,113 reviews, and 4.5 stars across 245 Amazon ratings.

What Is Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl About?

Abbie Sokoloff has her own queerness down to a science, but a failing grade in US History threatens her dream school. Margo agrees to tutor her in exchange for lessons in being gay.

As they spend more time together, Margo realises she does not want just any girl. She wants the girl.

What Works in This Book

Humour: Readers call it cute, funny and full of self-discovery.
Message: There is no right or wrong way to look, dress or act queer, a theme many readers loved.
Communication: One autistic reader loved that the characters actually talk things through.
Audiobook: Several listeners say the two narrators elevate the experience.

Book Synopsis

A girl who aces everything, now determined to ace being gay. A girl who needs to pass history.

The lesson plan did not include falling in love.

My Review

This is a warm, affirming book that doubles as an introduction to queer life for teens: biphobia, safe sex and the pressure to look a certain way are all addressed with humour. Margo, a femme, sundress-wearing lesbian who loves horses and history, is easy to root for, and readers enjoyed Margo’s supportive family and Abbie’s growth. One reader calls it perfect for teenagers, and more than one adult reader was surprised by how much they enjoyed it.

The voice is the dividing line. Several readers found the dialogue trying too hard to sound Gen Z, one felt the two points of view sound alike, some found Abbie irritating, and a couple felt the romance rushed or weak. One reader felt a few moments tipped into lesbophobia, and the supporting cast is uneven.

My honest note: Try the audiobook; it wins over many doubters.

Element	In Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl
Central relationship	Margo Zimmerman (autistic, newly out) & Abbie Sokoloff (bisexual skater)
Core tropes	Tutor exchange, opposites attract, coming out
Setting	Senior year of high school
Heat level	Closed door
Length	304 pages (hardcover)
Series	Standalone
Content notes	Biphobia, unsupportive parents, frank sexual health discussion

How Spicy Is Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl?

It is YA. Readers describe it as frank and sex-positive, with open discussion of queer safe sex.

Readers mention biphobia and Abbie’s difficult parents and friends.

Who Should Read This Book?

You’ll likely love it if: you want a funny, affirming YA romance with an autistic lead. It is on our neurodivergent sapphic romance list.

You may want to skip it if: very online teen voices grate on you.

In short: Queer 101, with honours.

What Readers Are Actually Saying (September 2026)

On Goodreads the split is 32% five stars, 42% four, 19% three, 5% two and 1% one. On StoryGraph, 80% tagged it lighthearted, 76% funny, and 95% found the characters loveable.

Why readers love it (according to the discourse): Humour first. Second, representation. Third, the message. Fourth, the audiobook.

What readers argue about and complain about: The Gen Z voice, above everything. Second, Abbie. Third, a rushed romance.

The comparison worth making first: Time and Time Again, another affirming YA sapphic romance with rich representation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Margo autistic?

Yes. Margo is autistic, Jewish and newly out as gay. Autistic readers are split: one says she has never felt more seen in a book, while two others found the writing too cringey to enjoy.

Is it a young adult book?

Yes. It is a YA rom-com set in the leads’ senior year of high school. Readers describe it as frank and sex-positive for YA, including discussion of queer safe sex; one adult reader was a little surprised by the YA label.

Who is Abbie?

Abbie Sokoloff is bisexual, has been out for years and needs help with US History to keep her dream school. The book is told from both girls’ points of view.

What is it like?

It was pitched by Dahlia Adler as Ciara Smyth’s Late to the Party mashed up with She Gets the Girl, but Jewish and autistic.

Is Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl on Kindle Unlimited?

Not when we checked; the Kindle edition was listed at $15.99. Readers highly recommend the audiobook.

If You Loved Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl, Read These Next

Try Time and Time Again or Make You Mine This Christmas. Browse our neurodivergent sapphic romance list or the full Book Reviews archive.

The Bottom Line

Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl sets out to be a funny, affirming queer coming-of-age rom-com, and its humour and heart deliver. What holds it back is a voice some readers found forced. A strong YA pick, especially on audio. Check Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl on Amazon →