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Starred review from April 15, 2025
Two college freshmen face the challenges of dating across many differences in background and identity. Seventeen-year-old Deja Martin wants to explore life beyond small-town North Carolina, and college is the perfect opportunity. Nature lover Deja has a full scholarship to her first-choice school, the University of Maryland; she plans to become a cosmetic chemist. Before fall semester starts, she visits College Park to dispel any lingering fears--and, empowered by her first taste of autonomy, she goes to get a tattoo and meets Raja Sharma. The 18-year-old Nepali American boy's good looks are as mesmerizing as his artistic talents. Their connection is electrifying, but their delicate romance is threatened by external pressures. Raja's parents expect him to become an engineer and marry an upper-caste Nepali girl; courting a Black American Christian would be an act of rebellion. The men in Deja's family have concerns about her being with a city boy who isn't Christian or Black--will he understand what it's like for Black women in America? The pair must decide: When you're from different worlds, is love truly enough? Told in alternating first-person narration, the novel features rich characterization wrapped in vulnerability and the whirlwind magic of young love. Grounding her story in relatability and realism, LaDelle carefully depicts how cultures shape personal identities. The teens' relationship is endearing, and they push each other to become better people. In this sweet romance, a serendipitous moment paves the way for radical growth and transformation.(Romance. 14-18)
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May 1, 2025
Gr 9 Up-An endearing and honest story about the reality of interracial relationships presented in a lighthearted way. LaDelle, a talented writer, uses heart and humor to illustrate the similarities and differences between Black and Nepali cultures, offering readers insight, as well as a helpful example of how to navigate difficulties in a new relationship. The book is written in first-person, with chapters in both main characters Deja's and Raja's points of view. Readers follow Deja's college experience from her first campus visit through the summer to the end of her first fall semester, while she works through her own changes in family dynamics as well as learns about her boyfriend's culture. Raja, meanwhile, is pursuing his dreams against the backdrop of familial expectations. LaDelle's writing is clear and informative, balancing witty humor with an engaging narrative that teaches lessons about acceptance and open-mindedness without feeling didactic. The couple's budding romance is so sweet and genuine. What sets this book apart is its ability to distill discussions about race and sexism into digestible and compelling entries. VERDICT Whether readers personally resonate with Deja's or Raja's experiences or are just interested in YA romance, LaDelle's book provides a beautifully sweet reading experience.-Jenna LaBollita
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