Shut up I love this series so much😭

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

There are few things that will get me to pick up a romance faster than hearing it has Ted Lasso vibes. As someone who absolutely loves the series, Brittany Kelley's latest novel immediately caught my attention—and thankfully, it delivered on that promise with an optimistic, wholesome story that was difficult to put down. From the very beginning, the novel embraces the same warmth and emotional sincerity that made Ted Lasso such a beloved show. At its core, this is a story about kindness, healing, and finding people who make you feel like you belong. That sense of community is actually what I found myself wanting more of.

Michelle's journey toward building a new support system is introduced early on, and I found those moments just as compelling as the romance itself. While the relationship between Michelle and Tristan is undeniably sweet, I wish the first half of the novel had spent more time developing Michelle's friendships and her place within the community. Those platonic relationships felt equally important to her growth, and I wanted to see them receive the same care and attention.

That said, it's clear Kelley is laying the groundwork for an expanded universe, and I'm hopeful future books will continue to develop those supporting characters and relationships. The foundation is there, and it's one of the aspects I'm most excited to revisit.

Michelle and Tristan's relationship feels refreshingly healthy, built on trust, honesty, and communication. Their ability to actually talk through problems is something I wish more romance novels embraced. Even better, Kelley skips the all-too-common third-act breakup, allowing the emotional stakes to come from genuine character growth instead of manufactured conflict.

Fans of the "he fell first, she fell harder" trope will also have plenty to love here. Kelley executes it beautifully, making Tristan's affection feel sincere and supportive rather than obsessive. Their relationship develops naturally, resulting in a romance that's both heartwarming and believable.

Despite my wish for a stronger emphasis on Michelle's friendships and community, those criticisms never overshadowed my enjoyment of the novel. This was one of those books that stayed on my mind whenever I wasn't reading it, constantly pulling me back for "just one more chapter."

If you're looking for a comforting romance filled with healthy communication, genuine emotional growth, and the kind of optimism that made Ted Lasso such a phenomenon, Brittany Kelley's latest is well worth adding to your reading list.

There's something especially fun about reading a mystery that constantly convinces you you've solved it—only to prove you wrong a chapter later. Emma Simmerman's debut novel does exactly that, weaving together fake dating, buried secrets, and murder into a suspenseful college thriller that kept me turning pages well into the night.

As someone who spent years at Kent State University, one of the novel's biggest strengths was its setting. While the story primarily takes place in Massachusetts, Simmerman peppers the novel with references to Kent, Ohio, and they never feel like they're included simply for authenticity. Instead, they're woven naturally into the narrative. If you've ever walked the streets of Kent, you'll probably have a few Leonardo DiCaprio pointing-at-the-TV moments as familiar landmarks and local culture make an appearance.

The college atmosphere also feels genuine. From the friendships to the campus dynamics, Simmerman captures both the excitement and the chaos of young adulthood. In a past life, my college radio show was called Bar Buddies, so seeing that phrase pop up in the novel made me laugh. It felt like Simmerman had reached directly into my own college memories.

Of course, this wouldn't be much of a thriller without the mystery.

The novel wastes little time establishing that Sloane has secrets—and plenty of people who could have a reason to hate her. Between a hidden summer fling with Wes, an affair with a professor, and mistakes from her past that slowly come to light, every revelation expands the suspect list instead of narrowing it. As I read, my theories changed constantly.

Was the fake dating relationship between Asher and Sloane more than it seemed? Could it have been an elaborate alibi? Had Wes's girlfriend uncovered the affair? Was someone connected to Sloane's DUI seeking revenge? Every chapter introduced another possibility, and just when I thought I'd identified the obvious suspect, the story shifted again.

Then the bodies started piling up.

By the final act, I had completely given up trying to outsmart the novel. I wasn't interested in proving myself right anymore—I just needed answers.

The reveal is one of the book's strongest moments. Without spoiling the details, Simmerman delivers a finale that feels reminiscent of Scream: shocking enough to make you question everything that came before, yet carefully constructed enough that the clues were there all along.

It's the kind of ending that immediately makes you reconsider earlier conversations and seemingly insignificant moments throughout the novel.

If I have one criticism, it's the ending itself. Simmerman leaves readers with a deliberately open conclusion that feels designed to spark discussion—or perhaps set up another story. While some readers will appreciate the ambiguity, I found myself wanting just a bit more closure after such an intense finale.

Still, for a debut novel, this is an impressive showing. Simmerman successfully balances romance and suspense, crafts a mystery that's difficult to predict, and gives readers familiar with Northeast Ohio an extra layer of enjoyment through authentic Kent references.

If you're looking for a thriller that blends fake dating, college drama, and a murder mystery packed with twists, this one is well worth adding to your reading list. Just don't expect to guess the ending—or to put the book down once the final act begins.

I’m crying I love queer media so much 😭🏳️‍🌈

There are books you enjoy, and then there are books that quietly settle into your heart because they remind you of a version of yourself you haven't thought about in years. Smash or Pass, Birdie Schae's stunning debut novel, is one of those books.

From the very first chapter, I found myself getting emotional. Ellie's journey of self-discovery brought me back to my own high school years, when I was trying to understand who I was without having all the language to describe it. Like Ellie, I'm queer, and so many of the questions she wrestles with—wondering if it's okay to be herself, trying to untangle complicated feelings, and slowly finding the courage to embrace every part of her identity—felt incredibly familiar.

While our stories aren't identical, there were moments where it felt like I was looking back at pieces of my own adolescence.

That connection became even stronger because of the novel's neurodivergent representation. I didn't discover I was neurodivergent until adulthood, so growing up, I often felt like I was navigating the world with a rulebook everyone else had somehow been given except me. Reading Ellie's experiences through that lens made me realize how much stories like this could have meant to me when I was younger. That's why books like Smash or Pass matter.

Young adult literature has come a long way in embracing queer stories, but there's still room for more novels that allow queer teens to simply exist, fall in love, make mistakes, and discover who they are. Not every LGBTQ+ story needs to center trauma or heartbreak. Sometimes, it's enough to tell a story about two people learning to trust each other and finding happiness together.

Honestly, we deserve more queer stories like this in YA.

At its heart, Smash or Pass delivers everything I love about a great romance. There's plenty of yearning, mutual pining, stolen glances, awkward moments, and all the delicious emotional tension that makes you desperate for two characters to finally admit how they feel. Schae understands that the anticipation is often just as satisfying as the payoff, allowing Ellie and Sierra's relationship to unfold naturally instead of rushing toward the finish line.

When that long-awaited kiss finally arrives, it feels earned.

The emotional core of the novel, though, isn't just the romance—it's Ellie's growth. By the end of the story, she's transformed into someone who feels more confident, more self-assured, and more willing to show the world who she truly is. Watching her slowly peel back the layers of uncertainty and self-doubt was just as rewarding as watching her relationship with Sierra blossom.

Ellie and Sierra's relationship is the heartbeat of the novel. They don't simply fall in love; they learn how to be vulnerable with one another. Their conversations, shared moments, and willingness to work through difficult emotions create a relationship built on honesty instead of perfection. It captures something that's easy to forget about first love: it's messy, exciting, terrifying, and beautiful all at the same time.

Even one of my least favorite romance tropes—the dreaded miscommunication—is handled thoughtfully and with care. Rather than relying on characters making irrational decisions for the sake of drama, the conflict grows naturally from who Ellie and Sierra are as people. Their fears, insecurities, and inexperience make their misunderstandings believable, and the resolution feels authentic because they've both grown by the time they reach it.

For a debut novel, Smash or Pass feels remarkably confident. Schae balances romance, identity, humor, and vulnerability with a warmth that makes every page inviting. The novel understands that coming of age isn't about becoming someone entirely new—it's about finally allowing yourself to become the person you've always been.

As someone who saw pieces of herself reflected in Ellie's story, I finished this book feeling equal parts nostalgic and hopeful. It's the kind of novel I wish I'd had when I was in high school, trying to figure myself out. I'm grateful today's readers do.

If Smash or Pass is any indication of what's to come from Birdie Schae, I'll happily read whatever she writes next.