A light read with all the magic and monsters.
Werewolves, manticores, and mermaids? Nothing compared to a bitter blonde TV host, a bigoted dad, and the pressures of prom sex.
By nature, Bridger Whitt is anxious and awkward. By choice, he’s assistant to an intermediary between humans and cryptids. NBD. Having acclimated to his after-school job, he’s also happier in his skin as the bisexual boyfriend to the hottest boy in school, Leo. But all the magical activity within his small Michigan town has been a magnet for telejournalist Summer Lore. She descends, ready to pick, poke, and prod until she gets what she wants: a breaking story for the supernatural-themed show she hates hosting. As Bridger strains to keep her from stumbling across ghosts, creatures, and unicorn poop, he walks the line between dedicated employee and liability. Lore isn’t the only challenge: Bridger’s toxically masculine, homophobic, deadbeat dad is ready to reconnect. Plus there’s the whole awkward expectation of prom night delights with Leo. It’s enough to give a boy more buckets of anxiety than he already has. Sexual orientation and gender identity are layered freely within the narrative. Bridger is open about his commitment to his boyfriend and his attraction to women. An interesting parallel to Bridger’s openness is the closeted existence the magical community has to lead as a matter of self-preservation. By and large the cast is white; Leo is Puerto Rican and white.
A light read with all the magic and monsters. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-945053-82-5
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Duet
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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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