A well-balanced drama with plenty of heart.
In Tipper’s YA novel, a 14-year-old American girl on a trip to Greece is determined to make her big-time plans a reality—even if her mom and grandmother don’t approve.
After moving into a new, smaller house in New Canaan, Connecticut, with her family, Kat Baker has plans to train with her high school’s cross-country track team, become its star runner, and make the captain of the boys’ team, Mike Doherty, fall head over heels for her. But before her plans can come together, Kat’s mother whisks her and her younger brother to Greece to visit their grandmother, Yiayiá Sofia, with plans to stay for the whole summer. Kat’s arrival in the sleepy town of Paralia doesn’t bode well; the heat is oppressive, for one thing, and she can barely communicate with her Greek relatives, as she doesn’t speak their language. Kat decides on her first jet-lagged night awake to continue her cross-country training on local mountain roads, among other places. She runs along the Greek coast in the wee hours of the morning and discovers that the area has many facets; she encounters busy fishing harbors, men with misconceptions about American girls, and a single, attractive Greek teenager with his own dreams. Gradually, Kat comes to terms with her Greek American identity and learns to march proudly to the beat of her own drum. Tipper’s debut novel is imbued with classic and appealing coming-of-age story elements. As a protagonist, Kat is shown to be headstrong, sharp, and brave: “By the time she got back to New Canaan, she’d have trained harder than anyone on the team. Because by the end of the summer, she was going to be able to run to the top of this mountain.” Her life in Greece quickly becomes intriguingly messy; her interactions with family members who don’t quite understand her are fraught, and her encounters with certain strangers in the novel are palpably tense. But Kat’s adventures also include pleasant encounters, including a sweet friendship with her 12-year-old cousin, Yeorgia,and a finely calibrated first romance with young fisherman and aspiring artist, Theofilus.
A well-balanced drama with plenty of heart.Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781684633067
Page Count: 248
Publisher: SparkPress
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
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
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization.
Ellis Mitchell has her whole life planned out.
Heading into senior year, Ellis plans to study hard and crush it at the journalism internship her media executive dad got her, paving the way for her acceptance to Columbia University. But then Ellis’ parents announce they’re separating—and that Ellis and her mom will be heading to Bramble Falls to stay with her aunt and cousin. Furious that her careful plans have been upended, Ellis struggles to settle into the small, charming Connecticut town even as everyone around her gears up for the annual Falling Leaves Festival. Ellis runs into Cooper Barnett—her long-ago summer friend from visits to Aunt Naomi and cousin Sloane—who’s grown up to be very handsome. But Cooper isn’t pleased to see Ellis; he’s cold and curt, and she has no idea why. Wilson’s YA debut is chock-full of charm. Readers will swoon at Cooper’s and Ellis’ developing feelings following their frosty reunion and sympathize with Ellis’ difficulties even as Bramble Falls grows on her. She must choose between small-town community ties and big-city ambitions—between what her dad wants for her and what she really wants. Ellis’ relationships with her mom, aunt, and cousin are lovely and aspirational. The depiction of Bramble Falls is evocative, and the book contains enough seasonal delights to satisfy even the most devoted pumpkin spice latte lover. Main characters are cued white.
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization. (Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781665975209
Page Count: 352
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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