Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Two Black high school seniors in Lansing, Mich., embrace the magic of the holiday season to further their own goals in this tender romance by Lockington (Forever Is Now). Influencer Lyric Watkins posts sponsored beauty and style content online and saves the money she earns to attend cosmetology school one day. Meanwhile, Lyric's classmate, Juniper Jones, yearns to take a gap year and immerse herself in nature, traveling cross-country in an RV. While struggling to make content at a holiday event, Lyric encounters Juniper, who helps her capture the perfect festive photo. When the picture of the two girls goes viral as #couplegoals, Lyric and Juniper decide to fake-date, hoping the resultant paid sponsorships will help fund their respective dreams. As the pair become further embroiled in their ruse, the line between online performance and real-life love starts to blur. Simultaneously, both girls contend with personal challenges stemming from turbulent home lives. Via Juniper and Lyric's alternating POVs--respectively rendered in poetic verse and intimate prose--Lockington crafts a heartwarming love story enriched by the characters' well-rounded emotional depth. Jovial Juniper's genuine enthusiasm for the season juxtaposed with hardworking Lyric's more pragmatic approach to all things holly-jolly imbues the narrative with classic Hallmark movie vibes. Ages 12--up. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--For some, the holidays are all about joy, traditions, and quality time with family. But for Lyric, a high school senior and beauty content creator, the season looks a little different. Focused on growing her online presence to help support herself and her beloved grandmother Viv--the only family she has--Lyric is determined to make the most of her latest brand collaboration. While filming near the town's brightly lit Christmas tree, she tries to make her ex-boyfriend jealous by impulsively grabbing the first person she sees: Juniper. New to town from Chicago, Juniper gets swept up in the moment. Their spontaneous photo goes viral, and soon the internet dubs them #relationshipgoals. As brand deals begin to pour in, Lyric sees an opportunity--not just for herself, but for both of them--to lean into the fake dating narrative and make some serious money to fund their post--high school dreams. Lockington delivers a cozy winter romance that's both heartwarming and emotionally layered. Told in dual perspectives--Lyric's in prose and Juniper's in verse--the story explores trust, abandonment, and the impact of past trauma. The characters are messy, flawed, and frustrating at times. While working through their emotions, they discover that sometimes anger can be a form of healing. VERDICT A great sapphic romance for readers who enjoy a good will-they-won't-they with depth and festive charm.--Alicia Kalan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
In Lansing, Michigan, two high school seniors have clear goals--but they need money to make them a reality. Following a traumatic incident with her mother, who suffered a breakdown, 8-year-old Lyric Watkins was placed into foster care; Grammy Viv gained custody two years later. Grateful for the stability, Lyric works as an online beauty influencer to help with bills and save up for a local cosmetology program that will allow her to stay close to home. Lyric's classmate Juniper Jones longs to take a gap year and "do something wild and wonderful," traveling the country and being in nature, where she's happiest. However, after reuniting following a separation, her moms are on shaky ground, and Juniper is afraid her plans will fall apart along with her family. When Lyric, seeking content for her BeautyStarz social media account, runs into Juniper by the Capitol Christmas tree and asks her to pose for a photo, she doesn't expect it to go viral. The two Black girls decide to make the most of its success by fake dating to earn enough to fund their respective dreams. Their calculated plan quickly spirals into something far more complicated as the line between pretend and reality blurs. Alternating between Lyric's prose chapters and Juniper's verse ones, the story moves at a steady, slow-burn pace that effectively keeps the pages turning. Lockington carefully and sensitively explores themes of dealing with anger, grief, and fear of abandonment. An emotional, engaging story of love and growth.(Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
