I have so many YA Contemporaries to review that I’ve decided to make this a series. In the summer I read so many and I got so behind so enjoy! There’s a huge variety in these stories and I think that’s why I just got into this mood! Keep reading for mini reviews of Things I’ll Never Say, Those Pink Mountain Nights, The Name Drop, Love & Resistance, and When It All Syncs Up.
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Things I’ll Never Say by Cassandra Newbould 6/6
Ten years ago, the Scar Squad promised each other nothing would tear them apart. They stuck together through thick and thin, late-night surf sessions and after school spodies. Even when Casey Jones Caruso lost her twin brother Sammy to an overdose, and their foursome became a threesome, the squad picked each other up. But when Casey’s feeling for the remaining members—Francesca and Benjamin—develop into romantic attraction, she worries the truth will dissolve them and vows to ignore her heart.
Then Ben kisses Casey at a summer party, and Frankie kisses another girl. Now Casey must confront all the complicated feelings she’s buried—for her friends and for her brother who she’s totally pissed at for dying. Since Sammy’s death, Casey has spilled all the things she can no longer say to him in journals, and now more than ever, she wishes he were here to help her decide whether she should guard her heart or bet it on love, before someone else makes the decision for her.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Things I’ll Never Say is a book about grief, addiction, friendship, and love. It’s about all the things we wish we could have said to someone who isn’t in our life anymore. Those feelings of anger, resentment, and guilt all wrapped into one. It’s deeply emotional. With incredibly strong side characters, Things I’ll Never Say has strong internal monologues and the character of Casey is so vivid, detailed, and authentic. She feels, in all her messiness and mistakes, relatable.
Throughout Things I’ll Never Say, Casey goes on a journey of sexuality, friendship and love, and self-discovery. About figuring out these pieces of ourselves, asking for what we want, and being honest with the ones who love and support us. I felt every possible emotion during the course of this book and it’s one of those books which will sweep you away. Find Things I’ll Never Say on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
When It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw
Ballet is Aisha’s life. So when she’s denied yet another lead at her elite academy because she doesn’t “look” the part, she knows something has to change–the constant discrimination is harming her mental health. Switching to her best friend Neil’s art school seems like the perfect plan at first. But she soon discovers racism and bullying are entrenched in the ballet program here, too, and there’s a new, troubling distance between her and Neil. And as past traumas surface, pressure from friends and family, a new romance, and questions about her dance career threaten to overwhelm her. There’s no choreography to follow–for high school or for healing. Aisha will have to find the strength within herself–and place her trust in others–to make her next move.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
When It All Syncs Up is a story which begins with ballet. With the racism within the dance community and the pressures of success. The costs, secrets, and the disordered eating in the community. It’s also a story focused on friendship and control. When It All Syncs Up showcases the secrets we keep from the ones we love, the support we have around us – and struggle to accept – and finding our place. It’s an emotional story which also examines our own vulnerability and fears.
Ameyaw explores dance, expression, and insecurities all at once. When It All Syncs Up is one of those stories which feels multi-layered in its intricacies. All the ways we need to learn when to say we need help, to give help, and to accept help. Find When It All Syncs Up on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Love & Resistance by Kara H.L. Chen
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Chang is at her fourth school in seven years. Her self-imposed solitude is lonely, but safe. At Plainstown High, however, Olivia’s usual plan of anonymity fails when the infamous Mitzi Clarke (influencer, queen bee, bully) makes a pointed racist comment in class. Olivia knows what she must do: let it go. But Olivia is tired of ignoring things just so she can survive. This time, she defends herself.
That is the end of her invisible life.
Soon, Olivia discovers, and joins forces with, the Nerd Net: a secret society who has been thwarting Mitzi’s reign of terror for months. Together, they plan to unite the masses and create true change at Plainstown High.
But in order to succeed, Olivia must do something even more terrifying than lead a movement: trust other people. She might even make true friends along the way . . . if Mitzi doesn’t destroy her first.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
In school Olivia is just trying to stay under the radar but when an incident catapults her into the spotlight, she realizes that she just might have to step into the bright beams. Love & Resistance is a book that balances the actions that have rippling side effects as well as friendship. It’s about rebellion, about speaking out when we have to protect ourselves, and these pieces of ourselves we hide. We can try to compartmentalize, to try to not make a move, but that approach rarely works long term.
Love & Resistance ends up being about how one good choice doesn’t cut it, how sometimes rebellion has to take the plant out by the roots. It focuses on how beautiful it would be to open our lives and heart up, to let friendship and pieces of ourselves open to others. We can think we have to slice pieces of ourselves off to survive, but what if there was a world we could fight for to live intact? To have people around us to know all of us? Love & Resistance is enraging, swoony, and hopeful all at once. Find it on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Those Pink Mountain Nights by Jen Ferguson
Over-achievement isn’t a bad word—for Berlin, it’s the goal. She’s securing excellent grades, planning her future, and working a part-time job at Pink Mountain Pizza, a legendary local business. Who says she needs a best friend by her side?
Dropping out of high school wasn’t smart—but it was necessary for Cameron. Since his cousin Kiki’s disappearance, it’s hard enough to find the funny side of life, especially when the whole town has forgotten Kiki. To them, she’s just another missing Native girl.
People at school label Jessie a tease, a rich girl—and honestly, she’s both. But Jessie knows she contains multitudes. Maybe her new job crafting pizzas will give her the high-energy outlet she desperately wants.
When the weekend at Pink Mountain Pizza takes unexpected turns, all three teens will have to acknowledge the various ways they’ve been hurt—and how much they need each other to hold it all together.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I absolutely adored The Summer of Bitter and Sweet so I had the highest hopes for Those Pink Mountain Nights – and they were spot on. This sophomore novel from Ferguson retains what I loved about the first – these tender character developments and portrayals – all while telling a story that has equal parts of mystery and friendship. With a sense of history before page one, Those Pink Mountain Nights drops us into the midst of a story which feels big – this kind of sinister mystery of where Kiki is – and this daily life story about pizzas and new friends.
Those Pink Mountain Nights is a book that builds in front of your eyes. How there are shades of everyone good, bad, and in between. Of new friends which end up becoming a piece of us and old friends which are hiding secrets that sting. If you are searching for a complex YA contemporary story which explores mental health, racism within our schools, and the lines people cross all grounded in a story about friendship and a safe space, this is for you. Find Those Pink Mountains on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
The Name Drop by Susan Lee 9/12
When Elijah Ri arrives in New York City for an internship at his father’s massive tech company, Haneul Corporation, he expects the royal treatment that comes with being the future CEO—even if that’s the last thing he wants. But instead, he finds himself shuffled into a group of overworked, unpaid interns, all sharing a shoebox apartment for the summer.
When Jessica Lee arrives in New York City, she’s eager to make the most of her internship at Haneul Corporation, even if she’s at the bottom of the corporate ladder. But she’s shocked to be introduced as the new executive-in-training intern with a gorgeous brownstone all to herself.
It doesn’t take long for Elijah and Jessica to discover the source of the they share the same Korean name. But they decide to stay switched—so Elijah can have a relaxing summer away from his controlling dad while Jessica can make the connections she desperately needs for college recommendations.
As Elijah and Jessica work together to keep up the charade, a spark develops between them. Can they avoid discovery—and total disaster—with their feelings and futures on the line?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Name Drop is this dual POV mistaken identity story which will bring you all the way to the streets of New York City. It’s my first Susan Lee book and I already know it won’t be my last. Opposites attract in this story which delivers comedy and laughs as well as character development. Can they truly find common ground? Both Elijah and Jessica are both examining the world and how it can force us to make decisions about our life at such a young age. It’s a book with heart on every page.
The Name Drop also explores sexism within corporate culture and the role we have to play, and speak out, in these settings. If you’ve loved the idea of “what’s in a name” and two characters who grow and stretch into new spaces of their own, then you have to read The Name Drop. Find The Name Drop on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.