An intriguing but unevenly paced adventure.
Eighteen-year-old Ardent Quay’s carefully charted life careens off course when she collides (literally) with a handsome Wild Spacer on the run.
Before her mom disappeared, Ardent dreamed of exploring the galaxy, but now she can’t bear the thought of leaving her protective father or the safety of the Starfarer. One day she’ll take over their commercial tour company—she’s the only one left who can. Ardent’s trajectory changes when a chance encounter with the First Order sends her running for her life alongside the roguish and charming Sian, who’s in possession of a Jedi relic. Ardent takes a risk and smuggles him aboard the Starfarer, but Sian isn’t the only unexpected passenger. After abandoning the family three years ago, Ardent’s older brother, Val, has returned, but he isn’t telling the whole truth about why he’s home. Set during the time of the early rise of the First Order, this romance begins with a burst of action, but the pacing stalls through the setup and gradual building of tension before the conflict resumes. The romance is slow to heat up beyond a flirtatious simmer. Sian has an ability to hypnotize others to which Ardent is immune, and his past is an enticing mystery that’s only partially explored. The open resolution offers potential for future installments. The cast includes casual background representation of queer relationships. Human characters primarily read white.
An intriguing but unevenly paced adventure. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: July 21, 2026
ISBN: 9780736448581
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Star Wars/Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2026
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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