This is such an incredible book, and I am delighted that I was able to read it. A gorgeous look at a coming of age, queer story that grapples with choosing between love of a person and love of a sport, and whether those things can truly coexist and thrive. Marisa Crane’s A Sharp Endless Need is a gut-punch of a novel that captures the raw intensity of first love, grief, and the complexities of growing up in a small town where being different can feel like a crime. Set against the backdrop of rural Pennsylvania in 2004, the story brings an almost tangible nostalgia while also tackling timeless themes of identity, loss, and resilience.

Mack Morris is a brilliantly crafted protagonist—fierce, flawed, and achingly relatable. Her journey begins with two seismic shifts: the devastating loss of her father and the electrifying arrival of Liv Cooper, a transfer student who shakes up both Mack’s basketball game and her heart. The on-court chemistry between Mack and Liv is electric, but it’s their off-court connection—full of longing, vulnerability, and danger—that propels the story forward.

The romance is tender yet charged with a quiet rebellion, as Mack and Liv navigate the precarious line between being true to themselves and surviving in their conservative town. Crane’s ability to evoke the angst and euphoria of young love is unparalleled, and the stakes feel real and urgent, especially as Liv’s controlling mother looms over their lives.

But this isn’t just a love story. It’s a deep dive into grief, identity, and the fear of an unknown future. Mack’s struggles with her father’s death, her relationship with basketball, and her reliance on drugs and sex as coping mechanisms create a layered, emotionally rich narrative. Crane’s writing is lyrical yet razor-sharp, pulling you into Mack’s headspace and keeping you there through every triumph and heartbreak.

The comparisons to Call Me By Your Name and Love & Basketball are well-earned. The novel pulses with the same lush intimacy and emotional stakes, but it also carves out its own space with Crane’s signature voice—raw, unflinching, and beautifully human.

A Sharp Endless Need isn’t just about basketball or small-town life; it’s about fighting for the future you want when everything seems to be pushing you back. It’s a stunning, unforgettable exploration of love, loss, and the resilience it takes to grow up—and grow into yourself.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marisa Crane, and Random House Publishing/The Dial Press for the eARC of this book.