let me tell you a story. i was reading a blog post about anticipated lgbtq+ books coming out in 2024 and then i saw this book. my interest was instantly piqued...i added it to my tbr within seconds of reading the description. after that, i proceeded to go to erin baldwin's website, where i saw the art for the characters, and then to her twitter, where i read a preview of the story. by this time, this book had rocketed to one of my most anticipated stories of 2024. then, one fateful day, i saw that she had tweeted that this book went up on netgalley. when i tell you i RACED to netgalley, logged in, and smashed that request button.

this book is just so great. it follows juliette and priya, two "polite enemies" when they become roommates at juliette's summer camp. the setting was so well-done; the writing made me want to go to fogbridge, and i hate summer camps. the plot was great as well! i loved that there was no third-act conflict(i hate third-act conflict)

juliette is such a great narrator, and i honestly felt that her story resonated with me deeply; her story seemed, in some parts, what i had felt many times before. her voice is so authentic; it feels wholly unique. she's so relatable and messy and real! i love her!

i also loved the cast of characters; priya, lucy, gia. all of them were so real! so unique and so fleshed-out! this story may have had juliette as its main character, but it treated all the other characters with love and care!

i also loved how the romance was done. usually i love enemies to lovers, but a rushed love can ruin the entire book. i felt like the romance in this was built up well, the progression was natural, and the conclusion was so satisfying. i loved the epilogue!!!! i don't like unnecessary sequels but FUCK IT like let's bring them back like we need their college years their wedding like DAMN

i read this book on the fourth of january and already it may become a new ya favorite. this was a fantastic debut by erin baldwin and TRUST if she ever releases more writing i will be there! i would recommend this to anyone who likes ya romance, a funny yet relatable mc, and a well-thought out cast of characters.

thank you to netgalley and viking books for the arc!