Thanks, Net Galley for the DRC! I'm a Renée Watson fan, so it was nice to get an advance copy of her latest book. The central character is Nala, who lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousin-sister-friend Imani in Harlem. Nala's mom is alive and well-ish, but not in the best place to care for a teenager. It's the summer before Nala and Imani's senior year of high school. Imani is deeply involved with Inspire Harlem, a group of community activists that Nala thinks are a little too intense. However, at an event on Imani's birthday, Nala meets a handsome new Inspire Harlem member named Tye and begins to transform herself--for him. Tye hates a liar, and Nala is becoming one. There's also tension with Imani, who is growing distant from her family. For Nala, family is a top priority. She loves spending time with their grandmother at her senior home.

It's possible Nala exaggerates her activities at the senior home, claiming them as a volunteer job. I find lying protagonists tough to take, knowing they're going to get caught, usually just before they were finally going to come clean. The big reveal in Love Is a Revolution lands better than you might expect, but it's still a rough moment.

Like a lot of teen love interests, Tye is on the too perfect side, but he can't help loving Nala, even if she buys disposable water bottles and doesn't recognize quotations by great Black thinkers. Nala is a little ashamed that she's not more cognizant of Black history, but she's also committed to having fun. Tye appreciates that about her. Imani, not so much. Then again, Imani isn't thrilled when Nala is all of a sudden hanging out with her Inspire Harlem friends. Both girls are struggling, in realistic and relatable ways.

It's strangely appealing that Imani is the character that many readers might identify with, or think that they should. I appreciate that Watson emphasizes self in the umbrella of revolution. She cares for all of the characters--and people--in this Harlem-set novel.