It was a year on fire. They fell in love. Someone was bound to get burned. The Spark: Just days before the start of junior year for twins Arch and Immie and their best friend, Paige, a spontaneous kiss shakes the very foundation of their friendship. But some ties run too deep to be broken by accidental betrayal. The Fuel: Enter Rohan, new to Wood Valley High by way of London, who walks into school on the first day completely overwhelmed by his sudden move halfway around the world. When Paige calls dibs on him—he’s too cute to ignore—Immie is in no position to argue, certainly not after taking the fall for the disloyal kiss. Too bad for Immie that Ro feels like the best kind of familiar. The Kindling: Former lab partners Arch and Jackson, Paige’s ex-boyfriend, have never considered themselves more than friends. But sometimes feelings can grow like wildfire. The Flames: When the girls’ bathroom at Wood Valley is set ablaze, no one doubts it’s arson. But in this bastion of privilege, who’d be angry enough to want to burn down the school? Answer: pretty much everyone. Year on Fire explores the blinding power of the lies we tell others and those we tell ourselves, the tight grip of family secrets, the magic of first love, and the grounding beauty of friendship. What secrets will people keep—or reveal—to protect those they love? This novel, set against the frightening backdrop of an encroaching fire season, sparks reflection about friendship, the allure of romantic love, and loyalty to family. Can a single kiss change everything?
Publication Year: 2022
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this coming-of-age book about friendship, new love and loyalty. It explores the lives of three different lives and family dynamics through the eyes of four different highschool juniors.
The multiple POVs allow the reader to see both an inside and outside view of the struggles and new experiences these teenagers are involved in both from their own perspectives and what their friends see. What may seem like a perfect life isn’t always true. The expectation to be perfect, or effortlessly cool can hit home differently for each character.
Who they like, what they like, or what's going on with their parents the relationships around them in general is the focal point of this book and I think it was written beautifully. It felt realistic & relatable, even in the setting of LA and its flashy lights & flashy people.
Being a teenager is a rollercoaster in itself, so adding in new love interests, tensions at home, and homesickness for a place thousands of miles away can create a mess of a time, or just might create the perfect recipe to discovering who you really are.