Big shoutout to NetGalley and Zakiya N. Jamal for the ARC! All tea, no lies—these thoughts are all mine.

At first? Rochelle had me rolling my eyes hard—girl was insufferable. But plot twist: that’s exactly the point. Her glow-up? Chef’s kiss. One of the best YA arcs I’ve read in a minute.

This one’s giving cozy summer YA vibes with a splash of mystery, but let’s be real—it’s heavy on the sapphic romance, and I was so here for it. The Black-owned movie theater setting? Obsessed. Can I get this same story but from Amira’s POV next? That girl? Diabolical in the best “get the girl” way.

The side characters were fab and had me lowkey craving more of their stories—everyone felt real, and I love when a cast brings it like that.

Queer rep? On point. Every flavor under the rainbow shows up and shows out. The way the book handles identity, corrections, and accountability? Chef’s second kiss.

If you’re into butterflies, happy sighs, and that “omg they’re so cute” feeling, this book’s for you. “SAT word”? Yeah, that line alone had me swooning. Rochelle + Amira’s slow-burn magic kept me hooked.

Tropes we love: close proximity, soft enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, sapphic cuteness, semi-slow burn, and a childhood friends reunion moment.

This one's going straight to my reread shelf. Can’t wait to cop the physical when it drops!