BOOK REVIEW - BEATING HEART BABY BY LIO MIN (YOUNG ADULT FICTION)

 

Title: Beating Heart Baby

Author: Lio Min
Publication Date: July 26, 2022
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 352 pgs
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon - B&N - BAM! - Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts and opinions are my own.  The links above are non-affiliate links; I do not earn anything from them.

The Summary

Lio Min’s Beating Heart Baby is an “achingly romantic” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) love letter to internet friendships, anime, and indie rock.

When artistic and sensitive Santi arrives at his new high school, everyone in the wildly talented marching band welcomes him with open arms. Everyone except for the prickly, proud musical prodigy Suwa, who doesn’t think Santi has what it takes to be in the band.

But Santi and Suwa share painful pasts, and when they open up to each other, a tentative friendship begins. And soon, that friendship turns into something more. . . .

Will their fresh start rip at the seams as Suwa seeks out a solo spotlight, and both boys come to terms with what it'll take, and what they'll have to let go, to realize their dreams?

(Goodreads)

Praise for Beating Heart Baby:

"This book is alive with ache, grief, hunger, love, pain and awe. . . . It should be read for the reasons all good books should be read: because it’s beautiful and moving, nuanced and humane. Most of all, because it’s fun." —Los Angeles Times

"Min's exploration of coming out and owning your story as an artist is particularly exhilarating and nuanced. . . It's an epic tale of queer validation, filtered through the light of the California sun and Sailor Moon, and an essential read for anyone searching for a blueprint of their soul." —BookPage, starred review

"A lyrical, rhythmic, and promising debut, this queer romance is a hit." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A luminous homage to music, art, and the power of found family. . . This achingly romantic novel features racially diverse and variously queer characters, each of whom is given ample space to develop." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"At times incredibly romantic, at times wildly devastating, this debut about identity, belonging, kinship, fandom, and starting over is one of the best books you'll read all year." —BuzzFeed (Best Book of the Summer)

"There’s a magic to this book I just can’t put into words. . . . If you like angst, pining, anime, music and found family, Beating Heart Baby is the book that will make you cheer, weep, laugh, and pine for your own internet friendship transforming into a happily ever!" —TheNerdDaily.com

"Blistering, deeply emo, and shimmering with the messiness of intimacy, Beating Heart Baby is a dizzying, occasionally infuriating, gleefully sexy, and utterly heartfelt exploration of identity, culture, and finding home within your art and in yourself. Brimming with music, profoundly specific internet, and the magic of cooked food with chosen family, Lio Min’s debut is as much a salve as it is nourishment." —Mary H. K. Choi, author of Yolk

"A stunning heartbreak of a novel that will mean so much to so many. I couldn’t put it down—following the always tender and often romantic journeys of these beautiful boys. A story about how love can shape you and open up the entire world. Lio Min is a superstar to watch." —Maurene Goo, author of Somewhere Only We Know

My Review

Beating Heart Baby is a must-read.  Period.

I had to sit on this review for a bit because, frankly, this book gutted me in all the best possible ways.  There is so much love within the pages of this book: self-love, familial love, platonic love, romantic love.  The depth that Lio Min plunges, that they are able to translate into written words, is masterful.  This is ultimately a story about finding joy in spite of pain, and I fell in love immediately.

This is not only a queer ode, but an ode to music, art, and anime.  Showing the deep connections that people can make even through a computer screen, Min hones into the heartbeat of their main characters, giving the readers a view of events from both Santi and Suwa's experiences. There is a before and a now and an after which circulates throughout the story, highlighting the circular nature of human existence.  

This sounds like a lot for a YA novel, but I would argue that A) the general population consistently underestimates teenagers and B) that the experiences felt and relayed in this book do transcend the YA genre.  This will connect current teen readers, those Gen Z kids, with their Gen Y or Gen X parents.  But this will also tap into the Millennial experience - this generation who started without the internet at their finger tips, but developed the language that Gen Z lives out now.  How disembodied intimacy started in the early chatrooms, LiveJournals, and MySpace forums, and has developed into a way people often connect and create relationships in this vastly digital landscape; where those that search can find connection.

Being a former band kid, the fact that marching band was a big part of this book was so comforting.  The family that is developed in a world where you have to rely on one another to hit your mark, to play you assigned part, to be able to come together to create music, is different than any family you develop in other groups.  Music has a way of bringing people together that not many other art forms contain.  The quote that is at the center of this story, "The worst thing about music is that other people get to hear it", comes from singer Mitski, but in the book comes from a fictional anime, "Mugen Glider", that has large significance to both main characters.  This quote really exposes the fear of creation at the center of this book. While it works to bring people, often strangers, together, music is also deeply personal, exposing all the emotions poured into that act of creation.  Musicians know, whether playing your own original music, or being a conduit for others', that music itself transports you.

Lio Min grabs you and immerses you in this love story that Santi and Suwa are going through.  You feel transported into their minds with each point of view.  The feeling of creation through music and art is titular, and does become the beating heart of this novel.  Again, a must read.  Period. 

Final Rating

About the Author

photo by Bao Ngo

Lio Min has listened to, played and performed, and written about music for most of their life. Their debut novel Beating Heart Baby is about boys, bands, and Los Angeles. They've profiled and interviewed acts including Japanese Breakfast, Rina Sawayama, MUNA, Caroline Polachek, Christine and the Queens, Raveena, Tei Shi, Speedy Ortiz, and Mitski.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Goodreads

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BLOG TOUR - THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US BY BRITNEY S. LEWIS - YOUNG ADULT FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]

 

I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for The Undead Truth of Us, the debut novel from Britney S. Lewis.  Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway! 

Book Information

Title: The Undead Truth of Us

Authors(s): Britney S. Lewis
Publication Date: August 9, 2022

Edition: Hardcover, eBook; 368pgs
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon - Kindle - B&N - iBooks - BAM! - Kobo - TBD - Bookshop.org

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.

Tour Schedule

Week One

8/1/2022 - Wanderingwitchreads - TikTok Review/IG Post

8/2/2022 - BookHounds YA - Excerpt/IG Post

8/3/2022 - Lisa-Queen of Random - Excerpt/IG Post

8/4/2022 - Author Z. Knight's Guild - Excerpt

8/5/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review/IG Post

8/6/2022 - Brandi Danielle Davis - IG Post

Week Two

8/7/2022 - Celia's Reads - Review/IG Post

8/8/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post

8/9/2022 - YA Books Central - Excerpt

8/10/2022 - 100 Pages A Day - Review

8/11/2022 - booksaremagictoo - Review/IG Post

8/12/2022 - @jypsylynn - IG Review

8/13/2022 - Kait Plus Books - Excerpt/IG Post

Week Three

8/14/2022 - @jacleomik33 - IG Review

8/15/2022 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review/IG Post

8/16/2022 - onemused - Review/IG Post

8/17/2022 - @ReaderOfTheWrittenWord - IG Review

8/18/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post

8/19/2022 - @drewsim12 - IG Review/TikTok Post

8/20/2022 - @lexijava - Review/IG Post

Week Four

8/21/2022 - @bujos_n_books - Review/IG Post

8/22/2022 - @amysbooknook8 - IG Review

8/23/2022 - pluvioreads - Review/TikTok Post

8/24/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post

8/25/2022 - Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog - Review/IG Post

8/26/2022 - Momfluenster - IG Review/FB Post

8/27/2022 - Cocoa With Books - Review/IG Post

Week Five

8/28/2022 - @just_another_mother_with_books - IG Review

8/29/2022 - Lisa Loves Literature - Review/IG Post

8/30/2022 - The Clever Reader - Review/IG Post

8/31/2022 - PopTheButterfly Reads - Review/IG Post

The Summary

Death was everywhere. They all stared at me, bumping into one another and slowly coming forward.

Sixteen-year-old Zharie Young is absolutely certain her mother morphed into a zombie before her untimely death, but she can't seem to figure out why. Why her mother died, why her aunt doesn't want her around, why all her dreams seem suddenly, hopelessly out of reach. And why, ever since that day, she's been seeing zombies everywhere.

Then Bo moves into her apartment building—tall, skateboard in hand, freckles like stars, and an undeniable charm. Z wants nothing to do with him, but when he transforms into a half zombie right before her eyes, something feels different. He contradicts everything she thought she knew about monsters, and she can't help but wonder if getting to know him might unlock the answers to her mother's death.

As Zharie sifts through what's real and what's magic, she discovers a new truth about the world: Love can literally change you—for good or for dead.

In this surrealist journey of grief, fear, and hope, Britney S. Lewis's debut novel explores love, zombies, and everything in between in an intoxicating amalgam of the real and the fantastic.

(Goodreads)

Praise for The Undead Truth of Us:

"Britney Lewis has really nailed it with this one. I loved this striking, suspenseful, and deeply heartbreaking debut about a Black girl named Zharie on a quest to discover the truth about her mother and the darker parts of life and family! Spooky good.”―Jay Coles, author of Tyler Johnson Was Here and Things We Couldn't Say

"Deeply healing and impossible to put down, The Undead Truth Of Us, is an affecting portrait of grief’s many shades, and an affirming reminder to live.”―J. Elle, New York Times best-selling author of Wings of Ebony

"The perfect blend of emotion, sweet romance, and creepy imagery, The Undead Truth of Us is a journey you won’t soon forget."―Lauren Blackwood, New York Times best-selling author of Within These Wicked Walls

"THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US is a revelation of a story, both macabre and magical, full of heartache, hope, and the infinite mysteries of love. I adore this book."―Rebecca Podos, author of Lambda Award-winning novel Like Water

“The Undead Truth of Us is unlike any book I’ve ever read before. In this eerie and otherworldly story, Britney Lewis layers explorations of grief and love on the page like bright colors of paint on a canvas.”―Elise Bryant, author of Happily Ever Afters and One True Loves

“A devastatingly poignant tale of grief, healing, and the monsters we make of ourselves and of others. In American popular culture zombies have been used to represent our greatest fears and what do we fear more than losing the people we love? In Zharie, Lewis has created a perfectly imperfect character―someone who is learning to navigate grief and love and friendship all at once. Her moments of vulnerability feel familiar as do her moments of healing and joy. This story is an emotional and gripping take on the classic zombie archetype. A must read for lovers of genre bending horror.”―Kalynn Bayron, best-selling author of Cinderella is Dead

“A lament, but with fireworks.”―Nafiza Azad, author of The Wild Ones

“A wonderful book full of lyrical prose, but also grief―and the painful, sometimes beautiful, steps we take to get through it.”―Jessica Lewis, author of Bad Witch Burning

“Britney S. Lewis explores love and death in a debut that is tender, poetic, and wholly original.” ―Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of Labyrinth Lost

My Review

Warning: this is not your typical zombie book.  Which is one of the things that makes The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis stand-out.  At the heart of it, this is a contemporary story dealing with grief and the multitude of ways that grief impacts someone's life.  But it is also a story about rebirth.  Grief, death, hope, and rebirth: if those aren't perfect topics to feature zombies in, I don't know what are.

Our main character, Zharie, lost her mother, the most important person in her life.  But prior to her mother's actual death, Zharie was seeing zombies.  She even saw her mother transform into one before the EMTs took her body away.  Then zombies are popping up everywhere Zharie turns, and she doesn't understand why she is the only one who can see them.  This brings Zharie to question things, as she navigates surviving the grief that has taken over, and forging a path to find her purpose again.

My favorite part of this book was the lyrical writing and the mirroring of post-impression art through Van Gogh himself.  This book is character-driven, which is very different from most zombie books, most of which are action-driven.  Zharie's use of viewing her reality through Van Gogh's art and questioning if what she is seeing is real or a hyper-reality is crafted with a deft hand.  I would caution that this book has a deep threshold into it, and will definitely not be for every reader.  However, if you do start reading, it will be worth it.  Britney S. Lewis does such an amazing job crafting Zharie, and bringing her grief to life, that the slightly more complicated aspects of the book are not a barrier for long.

The Undead Truth of Us by Britney S. Lewis is not a normal zombie gore fest, which was such a breath of fresh air.  Definitely a great debut, and makes me intrigued to read more books from her!

Final Rating

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE 

FIVE DAYS. FIVE . That was how long it took for Mama to turn  into a zombie. 

Day one she was stoic. She refused to move from the couch, even  after I turned off the TV in the evening. I still remembered how frigid her face looked in the dimness of the flickering candle before I blew it out. The spaces above her cheeks were sunken in, eyes bulged away  from her face. A wiggle under there, only slightly, but it did. I saw it  move. I saw it twist. 

And her brown skin looked frail and thin—any wrong move, and  I was afraid it would tear away in small slits, revealing the tissue  beneath.

“Mama . . .” I whispered, creeping closer to her in the darkness.  One foot after the other, the floorboards creaking with each step. I  wanted to know if she was okay, if she was even awake, but she didn’t  say anything. Looked at her again, waited. She released a deep breath,  the air cracking on its way out. Sounded like something was in there,  inching its way up her trachea. 

I left it alone. Kissed her clammy head, pulled a blanket over her, and tucked her in, hoping she’d be fine in the morning. And she would be fine. She always was. 

Day two was strange. It began with her golden-brown eyes. They  glazed into a cynical gray like cataracts, and the brightness that  used to be in them dissipated like smoke in the wind. When she  spoke, her sentences were short and sloth-like—every word a complete struggle—almost as if someone had stuffed cotton beneath her  tongue. 

On day three, her veins oozed a thick green sludge under her skin.  They pulsed and vibrated, not quite right. And her shoulders slouched  inward, like they were weighed down by a thousand invisible moons,  causing her inner tide to disrupt entirely. 

As she inched closer and closer to the invisible abyss, her dark cloud  of sadness stripped away the caramelized flesh from her face, leaving  her disfigured. 

By the fourth day, every breath came with a creaking croak. It was  like watching a sped-up time lapse of a fire burning out. Everything  I loved about her was gone.

We didn’t dance. 

We didn’t sing. 

She wasn’t the bleeding sunrise anymore—she was the deep, deep, dark ocean. 

And on November 4, before daybreak, her last breath rolled up her  throat and turned her into the undead thing that I feared. It was the worst day of my life. 

I found her on the floor in the kitchen, and my throat swelled.  Her body lay in the fetal position, her right hand below her heart,  crumpled like an old rose. 

But I didn’t get it. Zombies weren’t supposed to die so easily, yet  Mama did. 

When the EMTs came, I tried to tell them, but the words wouldn’t  come out. They couldn’t see that she wasn’t only dead—she was  undead. 

I—I, uh, my thoughts stammered, all I could do was stare blankly.  How could they not see it? How was I the only one? 

And she . . .she needed more time. We needed more time. I didn’t understand. What was wrong? How did she die? Was she really dead? But they rushed her out, and I couldn’t move from that spot in the  kitchen where I’d found her. 

Couldn’t force the air out of my lungs. Couldn’t take any more  steps forward. 

I tried to hold myself, but a sharp pain in my navel forced me to  my knees. I curled into a ball on the laminate floor, and the smell of the brewing coffee nestled in my nostrils, reminding me of how she  was just here, alive. 

She was alive. 

Closed my eyes, warm cheek against the cold tile now. And she was  gone. I knew she was because of the permanent goosies on my arms. When Mama died, I think her soul shattered into a Postimpressionist painting filled with yellows and blues. We were the zigzagged, black  lines in that painting, the birds. And I swore I flew with her soul that  day, the wind still fresh between my fingers, but I couldn’t reach her.  Didn’t matter how fast I flew, she flew farther, and the sapphire horizon created a million miles between us. It swallowed her. They later told me that her heart exploded in her chest. Exploded. I  didn’t know how that could be humanly possible, but when they told  me, I saw those colors again. 

She was yellow. I was blue. 

She was dead and undead, and now the earth was flooded with  zombies, drowning me with the constant reminder of Mama. Why? I didn’t know why. 

But why? 

I didn’t know why. 

But I terribly, terribly, terribly wanted to.

 

About the Author

About Britney S. Lewis:

Britney was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas where she fell in love with storytelling and the idea that magic moved and breathed in our world. After getting her Bachelor’s of Arts and Science, she worked in the world of marketing and communications for a few years before accepting a position as an editor for greeting cards where her job is to make sure to get the best words on paper. When she isn't daydreaming about new stories, Britney can be found binge-watching TV shows with her husband and pup or practicing West Coast Swing in one of her local dance studios. The Undead Truth of Us is her debut novel. For more information, you can follow her on social media @britneyslewis or visit her website at https://www.britneyslewis.com

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Goodreads 

Giveaway

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE UNDEAD TRUTH OF US, US Only.

Ends 9/6/2022, midnight EST.

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BLOG TOUR - WE ARE THE SONG BY CATHERINE BAKEWELL - MIDDLE GRADE FICTION [REVIEW + GIVEAWAY]

I am very excited to be a part of the blog tour for the debut of author Catherine Bakewell, We Are the Song.  Check out my review below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway! 

Book Information

Title: We Are the Song

Authors(s): Catherine Bakewell
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 304 pgs
Publisher: Holiday House
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Purchase: Amazon - Kindle - Audible - B&N - BAM! - iBooks - Kobo - TBD 

- Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.

Tour Schedule

Week One

5/2/2022 - YABooksCentral - Excerpt

5/2/2022 - Rajiv's Reviews - Review/IG Post

5/3/2022 - fictionologyst - Review/IG Post

5/3/2022 - The Girl Who Reads - Review/IG Post

5/4/2022 - A Court of Coffee and Books - Review/IG Post

5/4/2022 - boozybook blog - Review/IG Post

5/5/2022 - Excuse Me, I’m Reading - Review

5/5/2022 - TakeALookAtMyBookshelf - Review

5/6/2022 - A Bookish Dream - Review/IG Post

5/6/2022 - Celia's Reads - Review/IG Post

Week Two

5/9/2022 - @the.page.sage - TikTok Review/IG Post

5/9/2022 - The Momma Spot - Review/IG Post

5/10/2022 - Lifestyle of Me - Review

5/10/2022 - onemused - Review

5/11/2022 - More Books Please blog - Review/IG Post

5/11/2022 - Log Cabin Library - Review

5/12/2022 - Eli to the nth - Review/IG Post

5/12/2022 - Momfluenster - Review/IG Post

5/13/2022 - @enjoyingbooksagain - Review

5/13/2022 - The Bookwyrm's Den - Review

The Summary

A lush and beautiful fantasy set in a world where music is magic and the fate of many thrones lies with one girl...

Twelve-year-old Elissa has been raised in seclusion as a devotee of the Mother Goddess. She is a special child, a blessed child, a child who can sing miracles into being. Her voice can heal wounds, halt landslides, cure hunger--and even end wars.

But there are those who would use her gift for darker things. And when Elissa finds herself the farthest from home she's ever been--along with her vain and jealous music tutor, Lucio--she will have to develop the judgment to decide who wants to use her song to heal... and who wants to use her song to hurt.

Reviews

"Elissa’s desire to follow her divinely inspired abilities and overcome the barriers to her musical ambitions echo women’s historical experiences in classical music. . . . And constellations of race, sexuality, and gender expression lend richness to an already unique world."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This fast-paced fantasy is full of action and intrigue, taking place in a war-torn world that still holds much beauty and magic. Readers will come to love Elissa, who struggles with doubts as she faces heartbreak, tragedy, and loneliness and tries to fight for what is right. An excellent addition to middle-grade fantasy collections."—Booklist

"Fantasy fans will queue up for this delightful novel with its strong female characters and carefully drawn fantasy world. . . . Fast packed action will keep readers totally engaged. This captivating novel promises a good future for this first-time author."—School Library Connection

"An exploration of devotion and finding one’s voice."—Kirkus Reviews

(Goodreads)

My Review

We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell felt, in many ways, not like a middle grade book at all.  It was beautifully written, with such lyrical prose, it tackled big concepts, and had such an interesting magic system in place.  It has the ability to be a "high-low" book, meaning it has high level concepts presented in a lower level reading capacity, making it digestible for a multitude of reading levels.  But the best trait it had was heart.  I have found that heart is the true center of so many middle grade books I have read, and We Are the Song does not lack a heart.

Elissa, the main character, has been set out on a journey, along with her Composer, Lucio, to share her gift with the larger world, as a global war is breaking out over who will rule her home country of Cadenza, the two opponents being neighboring countries, Basso and Acuto.  The reader starts the journey with Elissa and Lucio in Basso, where Elissa must face some hard decisions and make her own choices that will change not only her fate, but the fate of the war.

Coming into the book, I was intrigued by the use of song as a form of magic.  And specifically that this ability is only granted to certain individuals,  the "Voices of the Goddess".  Elissa is the youngest Voice to exist, becoming the 12th Voice currently alive. Within the magical system, each "Voice" is assigned a "Composer", who writes the songs (both music and lyrics) for the voices to sing.  Each song created gets weaker the more often it is sung, at one point unable to work altogether.  So the Composers are constantly creating new songs, or tweaking on older ones to continue the magic.  As a lover of music, and a believer in the power of song, this portion of the story sucked me right in.

Elissa starts out as a naive, sheltered young girl, but there is a lot of character growth.  Elissa was an absolute sweetheart, and I think many kids who read this book will click with her immediately.  While she goes through some pretty traumatic events, she always has a sense of hope within, guiding her forward.  There were some other important side characters, like her Composer Lucio for instance, but none of them received as much development as Elissa.  This makes sense in the context of a middle-grade book with a younger character surrounded by older characters, but it also made the story not feel as full.

The introduction to the world, magic, and mythos was great.  I really believe in this world that Bakewell has created.  It was much more religious then I had expected previously.  The skeleton upon which the system was developed feels, especially for someone who was raised Roman Catholic, to be largely based on Christianity.  But I don't know if that will be very apparent to kids who read it, and it is also done in a way that still feels organic to the overall plot.  Also, Bakewell never presents this aspect in a way that makes the reader feel "lectured".  There isn't preaching, there isn't judgement on different lifestyles, and Caé, the goddess in this world, is very real.  So for readers sensitive to religious ideology, this book may not be enjoyable, but I believe it is crafted in a way that works really well within the context of the world and story.

The only thing that really detracted from the story was the pacing.  I felt like this could have been a duology, as the first 3/4ths of the book was build up establishing the world and setting Elissa on this journey, but then the last 1/4th was rushed with everything coming to a conclusion, and the events not being given an opportunity to breathe fully.  As I was reading I kept thinking, "Oh this is a series", so I was a little surprised when it ended up being a stand-alone.  I think that did disservice to the story that Bakewell was crafting, and I would've really enjoyed more of the story overall, so readers got to experience more of the final act.

We Are the Song by Catherine Bakewell was a solid fantasy debut.  I really enjoyed the book, and if she ever wants to dip back into the world of Cadenza, I think there are a multitude of opportunities for more (it could be alá Tamora Pierce; that would be exciting).  We Are the Song is beautifully written, contains good life advice, and has a interesting magic system.  I think readers of all ages will really enjoy picking this one up.

 

Final Rating

About the Author

About Catherine Bakewell:

Catherine Bakewell is a writer, artist, and opera enthusiast. She has lived in Spain and in France, where she romped through gardens, ate pastries, and worked on her novels. We Are the Song is her debut.

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Giveaway

1 winner will receive a finished copy of WE ARE THE SONG, US Only.

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BOOK REVIEW - SHE GETS THE GIRL BY RACHAEL LIPPINCOTT & ALYSON DERRICK (YOUNG ADULT)

Title: She Gets the Girl

Authors(s): Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick
Publication Date: April 5, 2022
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook; 384 pgs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Source: Publisher
Purchase: Amazon - B&N - BAM! - TBD - Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  My thoughts and opinions are my own.  Please note the purchase links above are affiliate links.

The Summary

She’s All That meets What If It’s Us in this swoon-worthy hate-to-love YA romantic comedy from #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Five Feet Apart Rachael Lippincott and debut writer Alyson Derrick.

Alex Blackwood is a little bit headstrong, with a dash of chaos and a whole lot of flirt. She knows how to get the girl. Keeping her on the other hand…not so much. Molly Parker has everything in her life totally in control, except for her complete awkwardness with just about anyone besides her mom. She knows she’s in love with the impossibly cool Cora Myers. She just…hasn’t actually talked to her yet.

Alex and Molly don’t belong on the same planet, let alone the same college campus. But when Alex, fresh off a bad (but hopefully not permanent) breakup, discovers Molly’s hidden crush as their paths cross the night before classes start, they realize they might have a common interest after all. Because maybe if Alex volunteers to help Molly learn how to get her dream girl to fall for her, she can prove to her ex that she’s not a selfish flirt. That she’s ready for an actual commitment. And while Alex is the last person Molly would ever think she could trust, she can’t deny Alex knows what she’s doing with girls, unlike her.

As the two embark on their five-step plans to get their girls to fall for them, though, they both begin to wonder if maybe they’re the ones falling…for each other.

(Goodreads)

My Review

I was very excited to get the chance to read a new book from Rachael Lippincott.  I love her books, and this one, which she co-authored with her wife, Alyson Derrick, sounded right up my alley.  Hitting some of my favorite romance tropes, She Gets the Girl is an adorable sapphic romance, set at the beginning of college: a place where people can find their true selves, and perhaps their true loves.

Molly and Alex were great characters, and really complimented each other.  They both have girl problems: Molly has a hopeless crush on a former classmate and Alex was hit with a rough break-up.  Alex, finding out about Molly's crush, devises a plan to help her win the girl and to prove to Alex's ex that Alex can be genuine friends with someone.  And this is the start of it all.  Like I said, Molly and Alex compliment each other, but that's not obvious at first because there is major friction between the two.  Hot-headed Alex and painfully-shy Molly clash, but through Alex's plan, they learn more and more about each other.  As the girls learn about each other, they also learn about themselves.

While this is sapphic romance, it is not a coming out story.  That was a big draw while I was reading.  Both Molly and Alex are out to friends and family alike, so the reader really gets to dive into the development of the relationships, both romantic and friendly.  The setting of freshman year of college is also a great time because it is an often pivotal moment in transition from a teenager to adult.  This aspect of the book was so impactful, as the reader got to experience both Molly and Alex develop into different, and in some ways better, versions of their old selves.  Then the relationship development was sweet to read as well.  So the more intense personal growth and more light-hearted (but just as important) romantic growth created a nice harmony.

The writing was funny with poignant aspects.  Each character's voice was distinct, and I enjoyed the changing point of view.  I don't think that the story would be as round as it is if the reader only heard from one of the characters.  This book moved fast, even if the romance was a slow burn (I do love a good slow burn).  I was engaged throughout, and felt the ending was perfect, even though I could've always had more.  My only note with the writing was the pop culture references used could date the book in the future and not make as much of an impact.  But that really doesn't detract from the story for me personally. 

She Gets the Girl by Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick is a must-add to your YA contemporary romance pile.  Sweet, funny, and emotional, this romcom will hit all the best parts of a feel-good story.  I would 100% read anything these two come up with next! 

CW: alcoholism, parental neglect and abandonment, internalized racism, toxic relationship

Final Rating

About the Authors

Rachael Lippincott is the coauthor of All This Time, #1 New York Times bestseller Five Feet Apart, and She Gets the Girl and the author of The Lucky List. She holds a BA in English writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.

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Alyson Derrick was born and raised in Greenville, Pennsylvania, a town where burn barrels take the place of recycling bins. After making her great escape to Pittsburgh, where she earned her bachelor’s in English writing, Alyson started her own food truck, but soon realized she much prefers telling stories over slinging cheesesteaks. Alyson currently resides in Pennsylvania with her wife and their dog, Hank.

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