An endearing tale of love, family, and companionship.
In this romance, a teenager’s shadowy past may shatter his happy life with friends and the striking girl who’s more than a pal.
On his first day at a new high school, sophomore Bay Haven hits it off with Abby. Actually, she’s the outgoing one who strikes up a conversation, roping Bay into her tiny clique, which includes Sasha and Felix. While they’re all close, Bay and Abby’s relationship verges on something deeper, even if they try convincing themselves and others that they’re “just friends.” But Bay harbors a secret he’s too afraid to tell his pals. He and his older brother, Blaze, have escaped a homeland that rendered them orphans and are now unquestionably hiding from others. When Bay gets an inkling that “they” have found the brothers, Blaze insists the two pack their bags and go on the run again. Bay would rather stay with his treasured friends, despite the risks, for as long as the siblings possibly can. Although Knight drops big hints as to where Bay comes from, his backstory remains a mystery for much of the novel. Readers may wonder if he’s supernatural in origin or a mere human, albeit complicated. Still, the author’s powerful narrative themes drive this tale. Bay’s fabrications saddle him with guilt; he’s worried he won’t be accepted by Abby once the truth about his past comes out (“What would she think of him if he told her so much of what she knew about him was a lie”). There’s also a Christian theme that is at times more overt than other strands. Answers roll out in the final act, which puts Bay and his loved ones in potential danger. Nevertheless, friendship and romance are what truly ignite the engaging story. The four chums’ banter delights and invigorates, thanks in large part to Knight’s nimble dialogue. Perhaps best of all, Bay and Abby’s shared scenes overflow with romance, whether they suppress their feelings or not.
An endearing tale of love, family, and companionship.Pub Date: Feb. 29, 2024
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 219
Publisher: Roaming Pig
Review Posted Online: Aug. 21, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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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