Love Radio
by Ebony LaDelle
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Imprint: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release date: May 31, 2022
ISBN: 9781665908153
Prince is a romantic at heart, but he has not got time for love unless it’s helping the callers on his radio show, Love Radio. Dani is focused on her plan to receive a scholarship to study in New York and become a famous author. She doesn’t have time for love. Then Dani and Prince meet. Prince has had a crush on Dani since middle school and wants to prove he’s worth her time. He gets Dani to promise him three dates, and if after that she’s not in love with him he’ll leave her alone. Dani agrees, and as the dates go on she finds herself falling for the sweet, sincere romantic. But a trauma in Dani’s past just might get in the way of these two finding true love.
The combination of a sweet “first love” story, healing from trauma and finding who you are make this a compelling and engrossing read. Reluctant readers will fall for both Dani and Prince because they’re written so realistically. All their flaws and strengths work to create two characters who readers root for, keeping teens engaged until the satisfying conclusion. There are also lots of references to music, music history and the city of Detroit making this a fun read for young people who enjoy music.
Romance readers who enjoy a deeper connection to the characters will enjoy this heartfelt story as will readers who like music, music history or books that dive into a community or city. Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney, Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant, and Syed Masood’s More Than Just a Pretty Face, as well as Nicola Yoon books are excellent read-nexts for readers who loved this title.
— Rachel Adams
Other Nominated Titles
- Well, That Was Unexpected by Jesse Q. Sutanto (September 27, 2022)
- Happily Ever Island by Crystal Cestari (June 7, 2022)
- Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch (April 12, 2022)
- Dead End Girls by Wendy Heard (May 10, 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.
