Romantic Fiction

Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers (#QP2024) Feature Review: Chaos Theory by Nic Stone

Chaos Theory
by Nic Stone
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Imprint: Crown Books for Young Readers
Release date: February 28, 2023
ISBN: 9780593307700

Andy Criddle is at a party and drunkenly texts his ex-girlfriend: or so he thought. Instead, he mistakenly texts Shelbi Augustine, a quiet classmate from school. Andy gets behind the wheel, receives a DUI, and must serve community service as a result. Andy and Shelbi’s paths cross again when they meet at the soup kitchen where Andy decides to volunteer. As time goes on their relationship deepens, but Shelbi is determined to stay in “just friends” territory only. Stone addresses self-harm, substance abuse, and mental illness in this novel.

Andy and Shelbi have been through “stuff”, as many teen readers have. Teen readers will find several things that they can relate to as they are reading this novel. Text messages are included through the novel, making it easy to navigate because large blocks of text are broken up by the text message conversations. Stone addresses the reader at the beginning and end of the novel, furthering the conversation around mental illness and the stigma that is often involved.

Teens who cope with mental illness and/or support someone they care for who is struggling will appreciate this title. Readers should also look at Little and Lion by Brandy Colbert, Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

– Katie Guzan

Other Nominated Titles

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.

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2024) Featured Review: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

The Do-Over
by Lynn Painter
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: November 15, 2022
ISBN: 781534478862

Emilie Hornby really looked forward to Valentine’s Day. She planned the perfect day with the perfect boyfriend. But then everything went terribly, horribly wrong. Not only does Emilie witness her boyfriend cheat on her, one of many dreadful incidents that day, she gets stuck in a time loop and must relive the nightmarish day over and over again. The one constant she can’t escape, the grumpy and elusive Nick, who may just be the answer to her problem.

The Do-Over is a delightfully fun romantic comedy that executed the Groundhog Day trope with flair. Emilie is a planning perfectionist who grows throughout the novel by learning how to speak up for herself and figuring out what makes her happy. Emilie’s parents are divorced and remarried, providing readers an example of the ups and downs of a realistic, complex family relationship. The banter-filled interactions between Emilie and Nick are funny and snarky, two things romance fans will appreciate.

Teens who can’t get enough fun romance romps will enjoy The Do-Over and its loveable characters. After reading The Do-Over, fans of See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon and Kasie West’s sweet romances will have a new YA romance author to follow.

-Alison Riggs

Other Nominated Titles

HighlySupciousAndUnfairlyCutebyTaliaHibbert — Release Date: January 3, 2023

The Best Fiction for Young Adults Committee appreciates teen feedback as members evaluate the nominated titles. Teen librarians are encouraged to share the List of Potential Nominees under consideration with their patrons and solicit feedback using the link: https://bit.ly/BFYA24TeenFB

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2024) Featured Review: Whiteout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon

Whiteout
by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jacson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
Narrated by Nic Stone, Danielle Shemaiah, Shayna Small, Bahnie Turpin, Alaska Jackson, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Kevin R. Free, James Fouhey, and Korey Jackson
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc./Quill Tree Books
Publication Date: November 8, 2022
ISBN: 9780063088177

It’s winter holiday time and science-minded Stevie made a mistake. A huge mistake. She must find a way to apologize to her girlfriend, romance-loving Sola, or lose her forever. An amazing group of friends pitch in and help her attempt the apology of a lifetime, while also navigating their own love stories. The only problem is, Atlanta is experiencing a once-in-a-decade snowstorm.

The same authors who brought us 2021’s Blackout, are back at it, this time in Atlanta. Twelve young friends work together to help save a relationship at risk. Stevie enlists her friends to help, and all are on board, but when Sola issues a time-sensitive ultimatum, the rush is on. Stevie’s friends adapt, but there’s a bigger problem: Atlanta is experiencing a snowstorm. Flights are delayed or canceled, roads are dangerous, and time is running out. During the course of the book, six couples will face second-chances, friends-to-lovers, and the realization that friendship and love are the most important part of the holiday season.

Multiple narrators expertly represent the diverse cast of characters, each narrator reading one of the stories. The pacing and intonation of each narrator lifts each couple off the page making their stories come alive. This fun, fast-paced, romance has something for everyone.

For fans of Blackout by the same group of authors. Readers who enjoyed audiobooks like Slay! by Brittney Morris, Ibi Zoboi’s Pride, narrated by Elizabeth Acevdeo, or reruns of the 80s sitcom A Different World will enjoy this story of Black love and friendship.

-Jen Haas

Other Nominated Titles

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2024) Featured Review: Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell

Scattered Showers
By Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin’s Publishing Group
Imprint: Wednesday Books
Release Date: November 8, 2022
ISBN: 9781250855411

This novel consists of nine standalone short stories that get to the crux of what makes romance “romantic”: it is the careful details each partner puts into one another. While entering a romantic encounter is daunting, Rowell provides hope for the weary. A dual narration audiobook adds to the coziness of the stories.

This title is a good candidate for QPRR because there is a story for every reader’s interests: a New Year’s Eve “meet cute”; the sacredness of a midnight premiere; the distinct kindness of creating a playlist for someone else; the longing when a stranger you only know from routine suddenly disappears. The nine romance stories are fairy tales, fantasy adjacent, contemporary realism, queer, and nerdy. Some of the stories even return readers to old friends from Rowell’s Fangirl, Carry On, and Attachments. Additionally, the large font may be good for readers with visual disorders.

The teen reader who would most appreciate this title is someone who feels overwhelmed by an entire book. The short stories are unrelated, so a reader could read one, read some, or read them all. For readers who may have also enjoyed Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick (2014); Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan (2011); Again, Again by E Lockhart (2020).

– Emma K. McNamara

Other Nominated Titles

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2024) Featured Review: Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
by Talia Hibbert
Publisher: Joy Revolution
Release Date: January 3, 2023
ISBN: 9780593482339

Celine Bangura and Bradley Graeme were best friends as children–until Brad ditched Celine and her “weird” obsession with conspiracy theories for the popular crowd. At least, that’s how Celine tells it. Since then, Brad has become a popular footballer at school and Celine has grown her unique interests into a thriving social media following. If it wasn’t for their inability to be in the same room without insulting each other, they probably wouldn’t ever speak. When Celine signs up for a leadership-based survival course in the woods with a scholarship as the grand prize, she’s shocked when Brad signs up too, and–horror of horrors–they’re forced to work together if they don’t want to fail.

In her debut novel for teens, successful adult romance author, Talia Hibbert, brings her signature witty banter, lovably quirky characters, and emotional nuance to this delightful enemies-to-lovers romance. Celine and Brad narrate in distinct voices as they unpack the childhood betrayal that both remember differently and slowly regain each other’s trust. Brad’s OCD is thoughtfully portrayed as a part of his character. The confidence he has developed in managing it is a product of his maturity along with the help of supportive family and friends. Celine struggles with anger over her father’s abandonment of her family and, with help, begins to see how she’s let that anger define her. The outdoor survival camp, with its skills-based challenges, is entertaining and sets up humorous situations, while providing many opportunities for Brad and Celine to transform their relationship slowly and authentically. Side characters (friends and family) are the perfect amusing chorus through which to witness the growing romance. This romantic comedy is lighthearted and funny, but still realistically portrays teens’ messy emotional lives.

Teens who love feel-good romantic comedies that have characters with substance will want to pick this up immediately. Give this to readers who liked When You Get the Chance by Emma Lord, She Drives Me Crazy by Kelly Quindlan, and Love and Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura.

-Krista Hutley