Review by Booklist Review
Two cousins' lives and loves twine together with fighting gentrification and racism on New Year's Day. Andy is an aspiring journalist who loves her hometown of Oakrun, Indiana. Dominique, her older cousin, moved to New York City two years before to be an influencer and never came back. On New Year's Day, Andy winds up in a cross-city, snow-filled wild goose chase to hunt down her missing car. Meanwhile, Dominique tries to reconnect with his ex--best friend Tyler, while navigating the potential of signing onto a hotel development deal that would allow him to keep influencing--and change the face of Oakrun. Author superstars Leah Johnson and George M. Johnson brought both of their considerable talents to this cowritten young adult romance that's as sweet and cozy as it is meaningful and justice-minded. Andy shines as the female main character, an ambitious investigative journalist with a love story that is sure to elicit swoons. Dominique's journey coming home and facing what he's been running from is impactful and sweet. Side characters, especially Andy's older sister figure, Alotta Bang Bang, who brings both the laughs and the heart, enliven the small-town setting. Johnson and Johnson have penned a takedown of gentrification that doesn't skimp on the romance or the fun.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Two Black cousins spend New Year's Day on a mission to rectify past wrongs in this winning queer romance by George M. Johnson (Flamboyants) and Leah Johnson (Bree Boyd Is a Legend). Running low on funds and clout, 19-year-old Dominique--a model in New York City--returns to his hometown of Oakrun, Ind., on New Year's Day, hoping a last-minute gig with a local hotel developer can help save his career. Meanwhile, Dom's 17-year-old cousin Andy, whom Dom has been ghosting for months, is recovering from a wild NYE party when she realizes something devastating: she lost the flash drive containing evidence she needs to shut down a rash of gentrification projects threatening everyone in Oakrun, including her family's hardware business. Additionally, the contents of the flash drive--if they fell into the wrong hands--could ruin Dom's career. And when Dom learns of his latest contract's shady business practices, he's forced to consider the lengths he's willing to go to accomplish his goals. Simultaneously, Dom and Andy each struggle to navigate potential romances alongside their own tense dynamic. Organic, voice-driven alternating POV chapters interspersed with social media and blog posts and podcast transcripts weave together complexly rendered relationships complicated by socioeconomic conflicts and divides. Ages 14--up. Agent: (for Leah) Patrice Caldwell, Patrice Caldwell Literary. (Dec.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--A dual point-of-view novel that takes place in 12 hours on New Year's Day. Readers follow cousins Andy (Andrea) and Dominique (Dom) Cole as each has a separate action-filled day that brings new insights about themselves, which will turn their lives upside down. Andy planned to win the heart of a girl she's been crushing on as the old year winds down. Instead, she wakes up in the new year having to search for her stolen car with the rich new girl whose parents are part of the gentrification problem in her neighborhood. Dom returns home after two years of being swept into the influencer world because of a viral video he made. He replaced Oakrun with the catwalks of New York City, leaving behind family and Tyler, the childhood friend who gave him too many feelings to face. Every hour of the day brings the cousins closer to finding each other and to discovering truer versions of themselves that may help them save their neighborhood, too. Throughout, the cousins interact with a full cast of fascinating characters that make up the town. The representation in this novel is noteworthy, but it's not the differences in race, gender, or orientation that create the drama of the story. The characters of Oakrun are who they are meant to be, comfortable in their skins, and the story is enhanced because of the perspectives they bring to the table without having to hide any parts of their identity. VERDICT Librarians would be wise to add this novel to their collection, not only for its representation of people with many beautiful differences but also because it's a fun, angsty, poignant, and fast-paced story that will speak directly to all teens.--Maria Ramusevic
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two formerly close cousins who have drifted apart find themselves on opposing sides of their Indiana hometown's gentrification--with their family business in the crosshairs. After his video went viral, Dominique Cole, 17, left Oakrun behind to pursue life as an influencer in New York City. When Oakrun's mayor reaches out to Dominique with an opportunity that could reinvigorate his struggling career--being the public face of the town's fancy new hotel--he reluctantly returns. Aspiring journalist Andy Cole, also 17, writes for Oakrun High's student paper, reporting on issues like the impact of the mayor's economic policies on local businesses. It's personal--Cole's Hardware, which her family has run for over 70 years, will soon close, to be replaced by the boutique hotel chain Dominique is representing, and she's sure there's something fishy going on. Both cousins are attempting to help their family; their clashing approaches eventually lead them to reconnect and grow. Sweetly, along the way, the teens, who are Black and queer, each find love in unexpected places. The story unfolds hour-by-hour over the course of New Year's Day, swiftly but with enough breathing room to explore the complicated ethical tensions at its heart. The ending is a little too neat, but the story's optimism is its greatest strength, joyfully depicting the power of community care. A well-told holiday tale about family, forgiveness, love, and doing what's right.(Romance. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
