An entertaining mix of endearing characters, strong feelings, and pulse-pounding adventure.
American teen movie star Zander Rune has an image problem, and it’s endangering his career.
Zander’s agent has a plan: Zander will go on a wilderness survival reality show with one lucky fan. Charlie Hart, who’s from a small Australian town, is facing her own struggles over a personal tragedy, her best friend Ember’s leukemia, and uncertainty about her future now she’s finished high school. Ember wins the contest, but her doctor advises her against going on the show. So Charlie—whose crush on Zander ended the day he was charged with a DUI—reluctantly agrees to go in Ember’s place: Her participation will give an infatuated Ember the chance to meet Zander before they embark. As the four-day trek through Australia’s Blue Mountains begins, Charlie’s animosity toward Zander is clear—although she won’t explain why, leaving him resigned to just getting through the challenge. But when the pair is thrust into increasingly dangerous situations, their feelings shift. White-presenting Zander and Charlie skydive, rappel, hike—and deal with lots of emotions. The juxtaposition of the wilderness challenges against the internal turmoil they’re each working through will keep readers engaged. The dual narration allows access to both leads’ perspectives and emotional journeys, supporting deeper storytelling. Readers will enjoy watching the duo learn and yearn as they navigate the mountains, forests, and streams.
An entertaining mix of endearing characters, strong feelings, and pulse-pounding adventure. (content note, author’s note) (Romance. 12-17)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 979887481172
Page Count: 318
Publisher: Blackstone
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice.
A fall romance with a New England backdrop.
Autumn leaves aren’t the only stunning thing to hit the town of Briar Glen—so has good-looking new boy Jack Harper, and Lucy Kane is enamored with both. Her new crush is the perfect thing to take her mind off the fact that Java Junction, part of a global chain, is opening across the street from Cup o’ Jo, Lucy’s mother’s coffee shop, where they take pride in baking everything from scratch and avoiding artificial ingredients. But there’s more than coincidence in the timing of the arrivals of both Jack and Java Junction: The Harper family moved to Briar Glen specifically to open this franchise location, which will bring competition that threatens Cup o’ Jo. This scenario has the makings of a perfect autumnal adversaries-to-lovers romance, but the writing lacks charm and chemistry. Jack seems to be completely enamored with Lucy, but her character isn’t sufficiently developed to warrant his attention. Lucy’s friends are continually supportive of her but have few distinguishing characteristics, and the story is weakened by confusing timelines and repetitive elements. The resolution relies upon successes that come too easily and do not feel earned. Major characters are cued white.
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice. (Romance. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781339030753
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
