A gritty, graphic glimpse of the physical and mental realities of anxiety with a streak of romance.
An Atlanta teen struggling with her mental health learns to regain control and garners strength through boxing.
Three years ago, Rose Berman, 17, lost her mother, who had anxiety and derealization disorders, to suicide. Afterward, she experienced a blackout-inducing panic attack in front of her class, earning the nickname Psycho. When the star quarterback assaults her at a party, Rose is afraid she’ll lose “whatever fragment of sanity” she has left. Her therapist suggests she join a boxing club, and she hopes the physical exertion will help. At the ring, Rose gets close to Elliot King, a cool kid with his cigarettes, tattoos, and mysterious bruises—and the person who intervened to help her at the party. Even though they’ve been neighbors since childhood, their lives didn’t intersect much, but now he’s becoming a true friend. When Rose discovers the underground fight club that’s the cause of Elliot’s injuries, she becomes embroiled in a violent world she’ll have to fight her way out of. While navigating intense issues, including sexual assault, mental health, and domestic violence, the novel doesn’t lose sight of the intriguing, accessible sports storyline and romance at its heart. The well-drawn and likable characters invite empathy, and the subject matter will intrigue readers who are drawn to edgier works. Rose is Jewish and bisexual; Elliot reads white.
A gritty, graphic glimpse of the physical and mental realities of anxiety with a streak of romance. (discussion questions, author interview) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2023
ISBN: 9781956378146
Page Count: 290
Publisher: Little Press Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
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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