From the beginning, this had a great narrative voice that hooked me. Music also plays a subtle recurring theme as when the character's music tastes. I think the characters sounded like teenagers, and not “how do you do, fellow kids.”

I’ll be honest I skimmed through the biology talk/terms. Both Naima and her lab partner Kamron excel at biology (science). I’m sure all the lab experiments they do might make spark the itch to do it yourself.

Naima is also very frank about being autistic. She knows what she needs to feel comfortable but often finds herself making missteps with other people. Curbing her tongue when she wants to express herself due to past experiences. Even worse, her autism diagnosis was revealed, prior to the story, without her consent.

There are a lot conversations here: Mississippi: why some leave vs stay, Black autistic girls and societal expectations, losing a parent during the height of Covid, and how Black excellence shifts when you’re not neurotypical, and, ultimately, wanting to belong. 

While fictional books don’t have to be educational, I was introduced to more through Naima’s perspective. I had never considered how menstrual bleeding could be overstimulation for some before. All of the above topics weren’t heavy-handed or info-dumpy. Covid becomes a major plot point midway through too.

The miscommunication between Naima and her mother is very emotional and will be very tender for some readers. As a negative, I found Sam a little too good to be true (not that I want a jerkish character, but the average teenage boy is not this well-adjusted). I thought the story was heading in a certain direction with him (and maybe it still could be with book 2), but it felt a little unresolved.

At first, Naima comes off blunt and rude to Kamron and distrustful, but as they grow closer they become friends. One of the most heartwarming moments is when a character acknowledges why he puts less weight on first impressions; we can all extend a little more grace to everyone.

I enjoyed Naima (and Kamron’s) story , and their eventual first love. The cover is also pretty!  But a good reading experience overall. 

Lusky's artwork is beautiful, and I have followed her work for a while.

It was a necessary reminder for me to create artwork for myself, forgetting who acknowledges it or what gets traction on social media. Draw like kids again without any expectation besides being happy with what you made.

Also, continue to use references and challenge myself with using new mediums. I need to start playing with watercolors again.

 

Weird. This takes a major genre shift from the contemporary to pure surrealism. 

The premise is very interesting of a dead-undead floating skeleton head possessed by a ghostly starving octopus, and his misadventure helping others close to death or grieving.

But this is too wordy in the worst way. I don’t think this comic relies enough on its artwork to tell the story.

 This is such a cutie-patootie book! 

Be aware that the beginning is full of cringe and secondhand embarrassment. I’m so glad I waded through that to get to one of my favorite books so far in 2025. 

But as Whitney, the main character, dials down the too-muchness, I really connected with her admiration of Josephine Baker. She's so creative and confident but still has doubts of her place in the world.

Thierry was also a fun male lead. I'm glad he wasn't a butthole. Yeah, he was blunt and serious, but he wasn't unreasonable. It's rewarding when a stoic character begins to melt or be vulnerable. As we see Thierry defrost, it felt earned. I also like that the book didn't exotify him if that makes sense. He's more than the "French lover."

There are so many scenes that I couldn't stop smiling at. And Black American history, Parisian facts, and a little conversation about being Black in France 🇫🇷 expertly weaved in.

If you love sunshine x grumpy pairings, you will love this. One of the most absolutely adorable moments is when Whitney goes to the chocolate shop. Worth the price of admission *wink* This little book will make you swoon.

Please someone adapt this into a YA movie. I’d love for Black girls to have a sweet, lighthearted movie. Completely feel-good!