*I received a copy from TBR Beyond Book Tour via Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers. All reviews are my own.*
I'm back with another Camryn Garrett book, Friday I'm In Love. I was hesitant to pick up this book because her last effort, Off the Record, dealt with heavier topics of sexual abuse and was inspired by the #MeToo movement. I don't know about ya'll, but I'm at my limit of serious topic books. But I also remembered how easy flowing her writing style was and how much I got lost in her storytelling world. I had a feeling that her newest offer would be surrounded by unfiltered love, and lightness books are missing right now. And I was right.
"Mahalia Harris wants.
She wants a big Sweet Sixteen like her best friend Naomi.
She wants the super cute new girl Siobhan to like her back.
She wants a break from worrying--about money, snide remarks from white classmates, pitying looks from church ladies . . . all of it.
Then inspiration strikes: It's too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if she had a Coming Out Party? A singing, dancing, rainbow-cake-eating celebration of queerness on her own terms.
The idea lights a fire in her, and soon Mahalia is scrimping and saving, taking on extra hours at her afterschool job, trying on dresses, and awkwardly flirting with Siobhan, all in preparation for the Coming Out of her dreams. But it's not long before she's buried in a mountain of bills, unfinished schoolwork, and enough drama to make her English Lit teacher blush. With all the responsibility on her shoulders, will Mahalia's party be over before it's even begun?
A novel about finding yourself, falling in love, and celebrating what makes you you."
First and foremost, let's gush over this artwork! I am a fan of Erick Davila and all of his masterpieces. So when I saw his cover reveal a few months back, I knew he would tag himself in something spectacular in the book world, and he doesn't miss. Ok, now about the story.
Garrett clearly based her novel on the song "Friday I'm In Love" by The Cure. There's something special about appreciating a piece enough to want to manifest it into something else, like a movie, play, or book. FIIL is an adorable story about a 16-year-old who wishes to have a Coming Out party instead of a Sweet 16. A genius idea when you think about it. She doesn't come from money, but she works and hustles her ass off to make this day a dream come true. Life came at her fast, and now she's juggling bills, a new crush, parental drama, all the phobias you can think of, college pressure, etc.
I found myself relating to this book more than I thought I would, especially when it came to the pressures of college and battling teachers about their one-sided lesson plans. Garrett captured teenagers' burdens while trying to multitask for the rest of their lives. It's messy, a pain in the ass, and overwhelming. I appreciate Garrett writing this narrative because it hits so close to home for many people around.
Overall I rated the book four stars. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I am definitely creating a playlist of all the old soul songs the main character vibed to, and you will see it on my Instagram page later!
Friday I'm In Love is available now!
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