A bittersweet tale that imaginatively explores themes of grief, loss, and first love.
In Harmon’s paranormal YA romance, a teenage girl navigates love and heartbreak while uncovering family secrets with the help of her ghostly boyfriend.
In the small town of Palm Row, California, high school senior Claire Goodnight is excited that her lifelong crush, Finn Peterson, has finally noticed her. After a magical Saturday night date (including a passionate kiss), she shows up to school on Monday and gets shocking news: Finn died in his sleep of a brain hemorrhage. Her grief turns to shock when, during a schoolwide memorial service, she realizes that she can still see and talk to Finn, who appears to her as a floating, shimmery spirit: “Other than his white-socked feet, he wore a black hoodie and jeans. His brown hair was bed-head messy. My mouth dropped open as our eyes met.” Finn explains to her that, after he died, he followed a “bright light” until an old woman told him that his business on Earth wasn’t quite finished. Because Claire is the only living person who can see him, he concludes that it must be Claire who needs his help. She’s elated by their strange reunion and is determined to adjust to her new life with ghostly Finn by her side. But events quickly spiral out of control as Finn’s mom descends into all-consuming grief; Claire’s alcoholic mother unexpectedly checks in to rehab; Finn’s younger sister, Violet, falls in with a sketchy crowd; and Claire’s longtime friend, Tyler, declares his romantic feelings for her. Claire and Finn, as they attempt to help his distraught loved ones, uncover a connection between their respective families, as well as a shocking secret from Claire’s past that changes everything.
Claire is an immediately likable narrator and protagonist who earnestly, if imperfectly, tries to navigate great difficulties, which also include adult responsibilities, such as paying her family’s bills. Finn, while sweet, seems a bit too perfect at first, while he’s still alive; he becomes far more interesting after he becomes a ghost. The fact that he’s able to witness life without participating in it generates intriguing conflicts; for example, at one point, Finn forcibly (and briefly) possesses Tyler in a fit of jealousy—a violation that rightly infuriates Claire and injects a sense of dread into the situation. When Finn asks Claire to tell Violet about his ghostly nature, the teens have an exchange that paints an interesting picture of what reality looks like after a miracle occurs: “‘How can she move on when she knows you’re still here?’ My words came out harder than I’d intended. Finn reacted as if I’d slapped him.” Although the love story and the twists and turns of Claire’s family secret are the main focus of the narrative, there are quiet moments that raise engaging questions about how different types of people deal with grief and moving on. Throughout, Harmon’s pacing remains brisk without feeling rushed, which allows her to pack a lot of drama into the story; she also ties up all the narrative strands in a neatly satisfactory way.
A bittersweet tale that imaginatively explores themes of grief, loss, and first love.Pub Date: March 24, 2024
ISBN: 9798990052888
Page Count: 251
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2024
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
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
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