Reviews by Category: Romance

Teen Review
Frankly in Love by David Yoon

Frankly in Love

By Yoon, David

Rated by
Kaitlin G. from BV YA Lit Council
Jul 24, 2020

Frank Li lives with his Korean-immigrant parents in California, growing up with American culture and feeling like his parents don't understand. As he starts to fall for Brit Means, a white girl his parents would never approve of him dating, Frank pretends to date Joy Song, a family friend who is in the same situation. But everything Frank knows about his life is much more complicated than it seems, especially high school dating. 

Teen Review
The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper

The Gravity of Us

By Phil Stamper

Rated by
Madelyn A from MO YA Lit Council
Feb 4, 2020

If you like romance, space, and getting back at greedy T.V. companies while saving NASA- this story is for you. The protagonist is witty, sarcastic, and likable, the side characters complex, and the plot is compelling. What more could you want? Stamper creates a story that revolves around very human experiences: the compulsion to fix what you love (even if it’s not your job), the rush of young love, sticking up for yourself and others in the face of opposition, and a love of space travel. Hard to imagine a better book.

Teen Review
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me by Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up With Me

By Mariko Tamaki

Rated by
Andrew G.
Aug 29, 2019

Freddy is a young teen who is struggling with her friends, her job, and most importantly her relationship. The book makes you feel a connection with these characters very quickly so from the start you’re rooting for your favorite character. I was not disappointed by anything. The art was outstanding and the story was impeccable. I was extremely satisfied by the ending. Hard to imagine a better book.

Teen Review
The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

The Last True Poets of the Sea

By Julia Drake

Rated by
Hadley K. from Blue Valley YA Lit Council
Jul 24, 2019

I think that the cover is beautiful. I like that the illustrations of the plants and things in the background give the cover the feel of the ocean since the book is called Last True Poets of the Sea. The most compelling aspect of this book was that the main character was hunting for a lost shipwreck that one of her ancestors survived. I thought that the plot of the story was really interesting. The only thing I was disappointed with in this book is that it seemed to take a while to get the story going, the beginning was a little slow.

Teen Review
The Beholder by Anna Bright

The Beholder

By Anna Bright

Rated by
Bryn D.
Jul 24, 2019

This book details a young girl's journey that every teenager goes on at some point- one of family responsibilities and new friends and loves, all mixed with self discovery and coming out of a childhood persona. Bright writes in a way that completely encapsulates the reader in her world, leaving them surprised and disappointed when it comes to an end. I liked this cover because the imagery of the carved and gilded ship is indicative of the adventure Selah goes on, and the somewhat tarnished appearance shows that her world isn't perfect, and being royalty doesn't mean everything is easy.

Teen Review

Nick and June Were Here

By Shalanda Stanley

Rated by
Emma B from MO YA Lit Council
May 13, 2019

Nick and June Were Here is about two young lovers that both have very different back stories. Nick has a history of stealing cars and getting arrested, and June is just your normal girl who stays out of trouble. But then these crazy things start happening to June causing her to go to a hospital, and she is diagnosed with schizophrenia: she hears and sees things other people don't.

Teen Review
Izzy Plus Tristan by Shannon Dunlap

Izzy + Tristan

By Shannon Dunlap

Rated by
Janie R from BV YAAC
Apr 1, 2019

This modern take on a centuries-old story is a delightful mixture of light-heartedness and surprisingly insightful commentary that leaves an unexpected mark on the reader. There is both humor and sweet romance that electrifies the fast-paced plot. The witty personalities of Izzy and Tristan against the Brooklyn setting provide interesting insight on the difficulties of teenage years, especially when love is involved. The addition of third narrator, Brianna, brought a refreshing outsider's view to the love story that sets this novel apart from its genre.

Teen Review
You Asked for Perfect by Laura Silverman

You Asked for Perfect

By Laura Silverman

Rated by
Ashley H From Leawood YAAC
Apr 1, 2019

Ariel Stone is the epitome of a perfect student: he takes AP classes, volunteers, and plays first chair in the school orchestra. However, when his classes start to push him past his breaking point, he finds that sacrificing his health and relationships isn't giving him the same satisfaction and results it once did.

Teen Review
Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable and Ellen T. Crenshaw

Kiss Number 8

By Ellen T. Crenshaw

Rated by
Halie S. from Blue Valley YAAC
Mar 12, 2019

Kiss Number 8 tells us about all of the kisses that Mads (the main character) has had so far in her life. The book leads up to her kiss number eight. After that, the book continues to tell us how her life dramatically changed after kiss number eight. The most compelling aspect was how after she kissed one of her good friends that was a girl, and all her friends suddenly stopped hanging around her. I was never disappointed, and I thought this book was very good at connecting with teens.

Teen Review
Awake in the World by Jason Gurley

Awake in the World

By Jason Gurley

Rated by
Erin L
Feb 12, 2019

Zach Mays is notorious for having the worst luck in Orilly, a small oil town. His father has died and left him and his older brother to care for the family. Zach is lost trying to put his bleak life together until Vanessa, a confident, radiant girl who's planned her whole future, comes into his world.

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