A romantic thriller that takes “Be Gay, Do Crime” to heart.
In search of autonomy, two teens take desperate action to get away from their terrible families.
After two years of careful planning, research, and Machiavellian orchestration, Maude is now ready to die—or at least to let everyone think she is dead. Then she’ll finally be free to be the person she is supposed to be. But just before her plan comes to fruition, her wealthy stepcousin, Frankie, figures out her plot. Maude thinks her plan has been destroyed, but to her surprise, Frankie just wants in, equally eager to escape their family. Readjustments of the timeline and finances are required before the two embark on a dangerous journey of blood, tears, and love during a family holiday in Hawaii. This fun, dark, fully queer thriller embraces its premise without pulling any punches. The two main characters thirst for revenge, freedom, and self-affirmation in the face of truly horrible families who alienate and oppress them, and they eventually find love and acceptance in one another—all while committing crimes. The story incorporates the protagonists’ welcome awareness of their privilege as financially comfortable White people while exploring their queerness and the oppression they experience because of it (Maude’s aware of her sexuality but not out as a lesbian yet, and Frankie questions their gender identity).
A romantic thriller that takes “Be Gay, Do Crime” to heart. (Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31041-3
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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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