...I expected the twist to be that she didn't want him as a boyfriend, but just as a good friend to share similar interests with. Like, kill the hope but at least not be cruel about it.
the fact she added having a boyfriend, and even the boyfriend not sharing her love of books, was such a gut punch for this kind of development on his part...like yes, that's a thing that happens, but it's a thing that always happens to him. Just throwing him the slightest bit of a bone, even if not romantic, would be appreciated.