A sweet (and furry) queer sports romance with off-the-charts chemistry.
An animal rivals-to-lovers romance based on a popular WEBTOON series.
After an accident takes out another entrant in a competition in which ice skating meets martial arts, Emile Fia, a small, light-brown deer with tiny antlers and enormous ears, is shocked to find he’s up against Radu Basanko, a statuesque, dark-brown fruit bat who’s currently the world’s top-ranked skater—and a charmer at that. Their size difference could be dangerous, but Emile handles the battle well, until he cuts his hand on his blade and Radu suddenly starts behaving erratically. And just like that, Emile learns Radu’s biggest secret. Their relationship enters new territory after Radu apologizes, swears he wouldn’t hurt Emile, and begs Emile to keep quiet about his hidden identity. If Emile’s nightmares are anything to go by, this is a difficult favor, but it’s one he promised to keep. Over time, though, even his scariest nightmares begin to shift into dreams that are steamier in tone, albeit with Radu still starring in them. Now that he’s in on the secret, Emile starts to learn about a new world—and possibly even get tangled up in it. With stylish outfits, expressive characterization, and engaging banter, this series opener incorporates animal behaviors and quirks into its anthropomorphized characters. Emile is unintentionally funny, Radu is flirty, and their appealing friends of various species round out the cast.
A sweet (and furry) queer sports romance with off-the-charts chemistry. (bonus comic) (Graphic romance. 12-18)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9780316459839
Page Count: 512
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters.
When star hockey player Alec Barczewski’s estranged childhood friend, Dani Collins, moves to town, they end up in a mutually beneficial fake-dating relationship that reignites old feelings.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mom move in with Dani’s hockey legend grandfather in Southview, Minnesota, where she spent a month every summer as a child and where her friendship with Alec grew. Between visits, the two were pen pals, but they eventually fell out of touch. Despite some tensions over their loss of friendship, the high school seniors reconnect. Desperate to get off Harvard’s waitlist, Dani needs another extracurricular activity, while Alec—whose reputation took a hit when a photo of him holding a bong appeared on social media—is eager to improve his tarnished image for NHL scouts. The pair strike a deal: They’ll fake date, making Alec look like a stable guy whose academically gifted girlfriend is related to hockey royalty, and in exchange, he’ll get Dani a team manager position that will catch the eye of Harvard’s admissions officers. Eventually, complicated feelings about their past, stressful family relationships, and their brewing romance boil over. Romance fans will love the deliciously tension-filled scenes between Alec and Dani, who are believable friends with heavy demands weighing on them. They feel like real teenagers, and readers will enjoy rooting for them as the well-paced story unfolds. Main characters present white.
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781665921268
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
A heartfelt romance that shows how letting go of the past can bring you an even brighter future.
Two high school rivals learn there’s more to each other than meets the eye.
With her college dreams hinging on the success of her jewelry business, Harper is desperate to be awarded a Young Entrepreneurs Grant and frustrated that everyone at her school privileges the athletes. Hockey team member Dawson hopes to be recruited by college scouts; he’s also battling pressure from his dad, a former hockey star. Though Harper and Dawson find each other annoying, they often cross paths since Harper works at Dawson’s family’s diner. When Dawson’s coach is fired for misuse of funds, one of the hockey players starts a rumor that Harper is involved. But over time, the dynamic between Dawson and Harper begins to change as they reevaluate themselves and each other. Despite the slow start, this charming enemies-to-lovers narrative succeeds thanks to the well-paced progression of the leads’ relationship. Their alternating first-person points of view allow the complexities of their inner feelings to show through. The characters’ interactions feel intentional, and the emphasis on connection and friendship extends beyond romance, for example, through the supportive, open communication between Dawson and his friends Alex and Ryan. Charlotte’s debut successfully combines sports, friendship, and the emotional highs and lows of high school love. Main characters are cued white.
A heartfelt romance that shows how letting go of the past can bring you an even brighter future. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 18, 2025
ISBN: 9781665971423
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
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