"Love Not According to the Script" by Asya Lavrinovich, summary Automatic translate

This book is a lighthearted romantic comedy from 2020, built around the popular literary device of identity substitution. The main plot revolves around a blind date, which the heroines decide to sabotage for personal gain. Written in the young adult genre, the story is told from the perspective of two very different students whose destinies accidentally intertwine.

Meet the heroines

The text opens with an introduction to two economics students. Veronika Kolokoltseva, known to her friends simply as Ronya, adores the exact sciences and is incredibly clumsy. She lives with her grandmother and earns extra money by tutoring. Her student, Agniya Lehmann, is a former professional figure skater.

Agnia grew up in a wealthy family, but suffers from the coldness of her family. She quit sports due to a self-inflicted injury. Now, she’s secretly preparing to enter the Art Academy in St. Petersburg, with the help of her mother’s friend Nadya. Agnia despises her stepfather, Oleg, a domineering man who is cheating on her mother, Svetlana, with his colleague, Natalia Zolotova.

The beginning of the conflict

Agnia’s stepfather is planning a business merger with his longtime partner, Igor Moroz. To secure the deal, Oleg forces his stepdaughter to go on a date with Igor’s son. The young man recently returned from England. Agnia vehemently resists the forced meeting and devises a plan to sabotage it.

Meanwhile, the reader learns of Veronica’s long-held secret. Since eighth grade, Ronya has been unrequitedly in love with Denis Moroz, the very same boy Agnia is supposed to meet. Veronica’s friend Yulia Adamova is constantly pushing Veronica to meet Denis. One frosty day, they accidentally spot a young man on the street. Ronya, overcome with anxiety, falls on top of him in the snow and then flees in a panic.

Yulia herself is also experiencing a personal tragedy. She’s ashamed of her musician boyfriend, Venya, and lies to her parents that he’s a chemistry student. This leads to comical situations when Yulia’s father manages to get a pass to a real scientific symposium.

The Substitution Adventure

Agnia asks Veronica to stand in for her on a date. The plan is simple: Ronia must pretend to be arrogant and scare off her fiancé. Veronica, never one to say no, agrees to the persuasion. Deep down, she’s thrilled at the prospect of spending the evening with the man of her dreams.

Before the meeting, Agnia dresses Veronica in an expensive dress and applies heavy makeup. Ronya goes on the date, trying to act as unattractive as possible. At an expensive restaurant, she’s rude to the waiters, criticizes the food, and acts up. However, Denis reacts to this behavior with amazing patience and kindness.

Gradually, the awkwardness fades. Veronica relaxes and becomes herself. The young couple takes a long stroll through the evening city. Denis shows genuine affection. Near Veronica’s house, her cat, Malysh, is nearly killed by a car. Denis saves the animal, after which the young couple kiss for the first time. Ronya returns home completely inspired, but her conscience torments her over the cruel deception.

Secrets of Agnia

While Ronya spends time with Denis, Agnia accidentally meets Veronica’s neighbor, Fedya. She had met him on the bus before, and later recognized him as a model from art school. Fedor works as a freelancer, designing interfaces for video games and caring for his ailing grandmother, Klavdia Mikhailovna.

Agnia takes a liking to the boy. She shares her plans to move and tells him about her stepfather’s infidelity. Fyodor supports Agnia, and the young people become closer. During a ride together on an old sled across a snowy wasteland, they share a passionate kiss. Agnia feels happy, but is afraid of getting too attached to Fyodor before her imminent departure.

Family drama

Agnia’s conflict with her stepfather reaches its climax. Through a private detective, she obtains photographs of Oleg with his second family. She shows the photos to her mother, but discovers the bitter truth: Svetlana has long known about her husband’s infidelities. She prefers to turn a blind eye to the betrayal for the sake of comfort.

Upon learning of the incriminating evidence, her stepfather becomes enraged. During a car ride, he slaps Agnia and demands she destroy the photos, fearing a scandal before the elections. Agnia runs out of the car, and Veronica accidentally witnesses the altercation. Ronya invites the frightened Agnia to her home, where the two women have a frank conversation.

To spite her stepfather, Agnia invites Fyodor into the house and introduces him as her fiancé. Oleg begins insulting the young man. Fyodor, unable to bear the humiliation, leaves. Agnia rushes after him, but the young man declares he doesn’t want to be a weapon in her war. They quarrel.

Revealing the truth

Veronica and Denis’s relationship reaches a dead end because of lies. Ronya is afraid to admit to the deception, and Denis begins to suspect something is wrong. Yulia Adamova, tired of her friend’s emotional torment, sends Denis a link to Veronica’s real social media page. Denis discovers the truth.

Denis intercepts Veronica near the university. He feels betrayed and disappointed. Ronya, in tears, tries to explain her motives, citing social inequality. The young man refuses to accept the excuses and leaves.

Veronica falls into a deep depression. Yulia and Venya try to cheer their friend up and suggest spray-painting an apology in the snow under Denis’s window. The guys sneak into the elite courtyard at night, but Venya makes a stupid spelling error. The appearance of the concierge forces the friends to flee. The plan fails, but Rona feels better.

Reconciliation and New Paths

Early spring arrives. Agnia collects her university documents and buys a ticket to St. Petersburg. Before leaving, she meets with Denis and takes full blame for the failed prank. Lehmann convinces the young man that Veronica acted under her duress.

Agnia calls Veronica to the university park for a talk. She says goodbye to her former mentor and tells him that Denis is waiting nearby. Ronya runs to her boyfriend. The young people explain themselves, put aside all resentments, and make peace. Denis admits he’s staying in Russia for the family business and wants to be with Veronica.

The end of the story

Two months later, the couple’s lives are completely back to normal. Veronica and Denis are enjoying each other’s company at a city festival. They listen to Venya’s band perform. Yulia Adamova has finally stopped lying and found common ground with her parents, who have warmly welcomed her boyfriend.

Veronica recalls a recent meeting with Fyodor. The neighbor was sitting in the yard with his packed travel bag. After his grandmother’s death, nothing kept him in his hometown. Fyodor is leaving for St. Petersburg to find Agnia. Ronya hopes the young man will be able to find the runaway in the big city and rebuild their relationship.