Loveless by Alice Oseman
Scholastic, Inc.
Publication Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 9781338751932
White, British, romcom-loving teen Georgia has always been told that she would eventually find someone she would be attracted to, but Georgia is tired of waiting. For her first year at university, she is determined to find someone that she likes in that way. But after a few revelations, it starts to become clear to Georgia that attraction doesn’t work the same way for her as it seems to for everyone else. Good thing she has some amazing friends to help her figure things out.
There aren’t a ton of YA books that center asexual and/or aromantic characters, so Loveless is a welcome addition to the LGBTQ+ field. Georgia’s journey is introspective, though Oseman manages to maintain a breezy romcom style that keeps the pages turning and provides a few laughs along the way. A diverse cast of secondary characters rounds out this engaging coming-of-age story. Loveless will appeal to a wide spectrum of teens, though readers should be aware that there are depictions of internalized ace/aro-phobia.
Readers who enjoyed the first-year-of-college awkwardness of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell will also find much to love in Loveless. John Allison’s Giant Days series also strikes similar notes with its humorous portrayal of a group of British friends navigating young adulthood in a university setting. Fans of Alice Oseman’s popular Heartstopper series will definitely want to pick this one up.
—Courtney Waters (she/her)
Other Nominated Titles:
- I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (02/02/2022)
- I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (03/05/2022)
- The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh (22/02/2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.