Lena and Campbell go to the same large Georgia high school, but they don’t really know each other. Lena has an established life with a social circle of her own and big dreams to boot, while Campbell is the new girl struggling to acclimate thanks to her absentee parents.

Both attend the Friday night high school football game for reasons other than school spirit– Lena is watching a friend perform at halftime and Campbell is stuck volunteering at the concession stand. As a racial slur turns into a fight and a fight turns into a mob, Lena and Campbell end up stuck in the concession stand (more of a shack, really) together. The two girls aren’t friends by any means, but it soon becomes clear that they’ll need each other to get through the riot that’s consuming their city.

The story takes place in a few settings, but the main two are the football field, where the massive fight begins, and the city’s main street, where a peaceful protest against the growing bigotry in the community turns into a full-scale riot. While trying to find safety and loved ones, Lena and Campbell find themselves in both locations. In the midst of it all, authors Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal do a great job showing how quickly a situation can escalate when fueled by rage and violence. This is particularly true in the latter section of the book, in which a peaceful protest grows into something destructive thanks to a small population of agitators, including white supremacists and opportunists, who seep in around the people with a message. It also explores the role that police officers play when they attempt to control a situation by damning everyone caught in the fold, including those who don’t want to be there. The authors mention in the acknowledgements that they spoke to real-life riot survivors and it shows in the authenticity you feel on the page.

The conversation around race in I’m Not Dying With You Tonight is central to the plot. First off, the events that Lena and Campbell are caught up in are a direct result of growing racial tensions following other community and political incidents. But in a more up-close sense, Lena is black and Campbell is white. As their journey unfolds through alternating POV chapters, you see their assumptions and biases, the ways they stereotype and misconstrue one another. Still, it’s not as much of a focal point between the two as you might imagine. They do have a brief argument over an ignorant assumption made by Campbell at one point, but they’re quickly distracted by another conundrum. Perhaps the authors were trying to show that race doesn’t really matter when we ban together to face trauma, but I actually found myself wishing these characters would call each other out more, even on non-race-related topics like Lena’s selfish boyfriend or Campbell’s self-pity. Still, the novel kept the balance between the two leads on point and showed how victories and defeats over the course of the night for one affected the other, ultimately building a unique connection between them.

To call this novel “intense” would be an understatement. Thanks to everything that’s happening to and around these characters, it’s pretty much unputdownable. Even in pockets where the girls are not necessarily threatened, there are emotions to unpack. Jones and Segal really make you care about what happens to these characters and the people they interact with other the course of the night, but ultimately, that also leads to my one major qualm with the book.

Plainly put, I’m Not Dying With You Tonight ends pretty abruptly. There’s a big dramatic moment, an end to that moment, and a few pages later, the story is done. We see the trauma as things happen to Lena, Campbell, and the people they know, but we don’t see any aftermath. An epilogue that looked at the fallout in Lena and Campbell’s lives would have been really welcomed. I suppose readers can fill in a lot of blanks through coverage of real riots in the media, but I would have liked to see a close-up look at the characters and how they were changed, if at all.

A stark contemporary that deals in hard-hitting issues and realistic drama, I’m Not Dying With You Tonight takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the eyes of two narrators with different but equally worthy perspectives. We definitely recommend this novel to anyone who loves The Hate U Give, Dear Martin, or Long Way Down.

Wow. This book grabbed me at the outset and did not let go until the last page. I literally burned dinner because I could not put it down and was so intent on reading I didn't hear the timer going off. The characters are fierce young women, each fighting battles internally and against their circumstances. The story progresses in alternating voices, twisting along to the end at a pace that leaves you breathless.

This young adult novel takes place over the course of just one day, but it is a day that will forever change how tenth graders Lena and Campbell see themselves, each other, and the world they live in.

Both girls attend their high school's football game; Campbell to work the concession stand (in a vague attempt to make friends at her new school), and Lena to see her friends rock the half-time show. But before the game is over, a fight breaks out, forcing Lena and Campbell together. As the violence spreads and a race riot breaks out in their city, the two must rely on each other to make it safely through the night.

I loved the alternating first person perspectives, the fact that the book takes place all in one night, and how the authors took a very real, complex issue and presented it in a way that will get young adults thinking and talking about it.

I'm Not Dying With You Tonight comes out on August 6th. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m Not Dying With You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones is a book that I’ll gladly add to my shelf right next to The Hate U Give and I’m Not Your Typical Mexican Daughter. It’s a good addition to YA books that address race relations and the struggle of fitting in. I enjoyed being able to read this story from two completely different perspectives, a black girl and a white girl, and seeing how differently they reacted to the same situation. The book does seem a little rushed but I also think that adds to the stress of the situation so I don’t have any issues with that. I’m not entirely convinced that this book does any favors to teenage girls though because both of them seem to lack a healthy dose of common sense in a very dangerous situation. Overall, I do think this is an interesting book with many possible discussion points with your teenagers.

I read this one all in one sitting, and I'm glad I did. It was a very quick read, less than 300 pages, although I wonder if the background and setting would have benefited from more development throughout. This book was all plot, all action, with a relentless pace that had the alternating POV chapters picking up exactly where the last one left off. I personally had some trouble picturing the events and catching all the details, but I don't know if that was just me reading too fast. What I do know, though, is that those few hours of reading will stick with me for a long time. This book thoughtfully addresses issues of racial tension and racism from the individual all the way to the systemic level, and any minor details and plot questions are far less important than the overall impact of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.

A YA novel that follows two high school students- Lena and Campbell, over the course of one night where a high school football game sets off chaos all over their community. It reminded me of The Hate U Give in terms of characterization and discussion of relevant topics, but its ending lacked a bit of finality. I felt more of an interest in Lena's story, but struggled for the first little bit to get into the groove with Campbell. Lots of action and the chapters are short and storyline fast paced, and I enjoyed two authors tackling diverse topics. I do believe that this is going to catch the attention of my students.


Goodreads Review 24/07/19
Expected Publication 06/08/19

This story was tough to digest because it lacked believability in so many areas.

While I understand how easily a race-infused confrontation can escalate into riotous violence, the very origin of the chaos was not only avoidable but controllable. Everything seemed--and I say "seemed" because the events it set off felt outside the range of plausible given its idiocy--to hinge on a tense exchange between two teenage boys.

Said exchange happens in view of both Lena and Campbell--which is how they come together--with, apparently, no reasonable adults, or even school security, present.

By the time the school resource officers do arrive, there's a riot...then sirens ...then a gunshot ...then all hell breaks loose?

Everywhere.

In what universe does this happen without additional context?

Even if I could get beyond all of that nonsense, I could not get beyond the idiocy of Lena or the cluelessness of Campbell.

Lena continually tossed common sense and safety to the side in favor of hooking up with a boy. It didn't appear to matter that said boy was fine ditching, dismissing, and dissing her at every turn. She continued to have faith he would come through ...and I just ...no. I couldn't handle such willful stupidity in a girl who obviously had more than a little common sense.

Then there's Campbell.

Lena's desire to chase behind a boyfriend who, seemingly, didn't care about her, or her safety, for the better part of the story, was annoying; time and again she opted to call him instead of using any one of the options she had available to get out of a dangerous situation.

Then there was Campbell.

I know she's supposed to come across unversed in the ways of Black/white relations--and that's fine--but you'd have thought the girl never stepped out her front door, turned on a television, or read a news headline. She was always confused, or scared, or timid.

The one time she shows any backbone was during a situation where her safety was definitely at-risk and sitting the heck down/shutting the heck up would've not only been prudent but wise.

And yet ...whew.

It's not a stretch to say Lena and Campbell would've avoided this situation altogether had either been smart enough to dial a responsible adult or reliable emergency contact.

It had potential but the whole situation was too far-fetched to take seriously.

Thank you to Edelweiss+ and Sourcebooks Fire for the Advanced eGalley of this work. Opinion is my own and was not influenced by its receipt.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this title for review. All opinions are my own.

I came to know about I'm Not Dying with You Tonight after reading a blurb from Angie Thomas about the book. When I realized that it told a story from two different points of view (one white, one Black), I wanted to know more. Overall, this is a great book and a strong addition to the building canon of contemporary literature dealing with race relations and tensions within our society. My one critique: there was no real sense of resolution at the end of the novel. Due to the natures of the storyline (the entire book covers the events of one evening starting at a local football game where a fight breaks out and traveling downtown across streets embroiled in a peaceful protest and the following riot) there CAN'T be a complete resolution. There is no sense of a "happily ever after." There is no sense that the reader can even accurately predict what will happen in the days after the plot's storyline has ended. BUT, that still feels authentic and real. Like I said, this is a strong addition and one that I would consider a first purchase for large collections and a second purchase for collections that are smaller.

Lena and Campbell are not friends. They barely even know each other. But when the fight breaks out at the local high school football game they are thrown together for an evening where things quickly spin out of control and danger is around every corner. Told in alternating viewpoints, the reader follows these girls as they struggle to get home in the midst of turmoil. It is truly these alternating voices that allows this book to shine.

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of I’M NOT DYING WITH YOU TONIGHT by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal in exchange for my honest review.***

Co-authors Jones and Segal explore race relations through the alternating points of view of Campbell, a white teen and Lena, her African-American classmate. Although Campbell and Lena don't know each other, they must learn to depend on one another for survival as racial tensions at their high school football game soon escalate to riots. The pacing of the novel help readers experience their fear, and readers get to see how much these young women actually have in common. Each character's voice is unique, serving not only to define them but also to allow readers to experience the fears and experiences of someone from another race. This was an interesting read that I found difficult to put down. It would be great for literature circles or book clubs.

This would probably be the next major YA book, really out there to catch up on those great The Hate U Give and On the Come Up books. The book is great!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

I’m so high and to let this one settle in. There’s a lot going on, and it’s pretty heavy and I like it ended up being this relatively undefined. I do hope at some point the author writes another book so we can find out what happens to the girls and the outcome of their situations, But I’m really impressed that it ended where and how it did. Solid four

this was the book that made me think i might be over YA, because I think me of a few years ago would have LOVED this book

This was a fast paced read where two girls who don't really know each other banned together to make it out of a riot. I think that both girls had distinct voices however the author uses stereotypical bad grammar for the black girl, which I think made the character seem cheap and uneducated. It was not an aspect that was needed. Although this book was good it did have its issues. Such as when Campbell's fathers store gets broken into and she almost dies, that part of the story just didn't seem very well tied up. The other issue was the ending. It just kinds of ends, I am not one of those readers that enjoys open endings. I don't need everything tied up in a bow but I expect plot points to be fully ended and a solid round up to be done and this title just doesn't have that.

Overall, I did enjoy this title but I would have liked to see things a little more fleshed out, less holes, and more of a wrap up at the end. I mean these two girls almost died and spent a night where they were scared etc. That just isn't something you forget about.

I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones is no doubt a pager turner.

This story centers on two girls that grew up on different sides of the track. Lena (black) and Campbell (white) are at their high school football game. New girl Campbell is working the concession while head strong Lena is watching a friend perform during halftime. As the story unfolds a massive fight breaks out near the concession and Campbell and Lena (an unlikely pair) must join forces to seek safety.

As the girls escape the cautious of the field they end up on the main street, where a peaceful protest on racial inequality turns into a full-blown riot!

This novel provides two interesting POV filled with biases and stereotypes from both sides. Much of the book I felt was underdeveloped and with all the cautious right in your face you would think it was Armageddon. I love the concept, but something was missing or too much, I’m not sure yet. My daughter is in the age group that would enjoy this.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, it was a quick & easy read and you get a few laugh out loud moments. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the copy in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 round up to 4 of 5.

One of the best YAs I've read in years! I'M NOT DYING WITH YOU TONIGHT is the story of two strong women who are polar opposites joining together to survive a night of racially-fueled chaos. It's so well written and perfectly-rounded. It sucks you in from the first page and leaves you wondering what's next when you finish. This was a joy to read.

This was a quick, but gripping read. I really liked the dual first person narratives! They were both extremely well-written and didn't take me out of the moment the way first person sometimes can. This book also made me realize how much I really enjoy stories that encompass one moment in the characters' lives. In this case, it was one long night for the two main characters, who like the summary says didn't really know one another before the night started. I'm almost sorry it ended before we could really see where they go from there! And I'm really pleased I was able to get my hands on this!

It’s hard to believe school actually starts back in less than a month. If you’re heading on vacation or just looking to get some reading done before then, use my affiliate links to check out these new and upcoming releases:


Madam, May I by Niobia Bryant

In the business of high-end, no-limits desire, Desdemona Dean is the best there is. This gorgeous madam can provide any sensual fantasy, ignite any insatiable hunger. She fiercely protects the women who work for her and helps them attain the lives they deserve—especially when it comes to her beautiful, troubled new protégé, Portia. But for Desi, having it all is no longer enough. She wants everything her shattered childhood denied her. And as she pursues an education and a normal life, she’s falling hard for her handsome tutor—and can’t resist schooling him in ways that are turning into more than just passion…

But as Portia spirals out of control, she’s exposing any number of dangerous secrets. And as Desi desperately tries to save her and manage the damage, she’s putting everything she’s worked to build at risk. Now with her empire in peril, Desi must discover if she can survive . . . and truly be free.



What the Heart Wants and Sealed with a Kiss by Donna Hill and Nicki Night

What The Heart Wants
Genius surgeon Franklin Grant needs only three things—work, work and more work. But when a family anniversary party leads to a date with Dr. Dina Hamilton, Franklin knows he’s in trouble. Dina is gorgeous, brilliant…and Franklin is her supervisor at the hospital. An affair could damage his reputation. But when their relationship is exposed, could Dina be the one behind the sabotage?

Sealed With A Kiss
Actress Kendall Chandler is determined to succeed on her own terms. But sexy producer Tyson Blackwell sends her “no on-set romance” rule up in flames. An affair with the CEO of Blackwell Communications Group could destroy her career. Experience has taught Tyson to protect his heart, even as Kendall breaks down his walls. Can these lovers find their own Hollywood ending?



The Safe House by Kiki Swinson

It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition—and get payback by any means necessary…

Play for time
Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends. When he kidnaps a relative and demands her in exchange, she and a desperate DEA agent work a bold switch to nail him. But the fallout is disastrous—and
deadly…

Do anything to survive
Now the local police are closing in on her as the prime suspect in her abusive boyfriend’s disappearance. She’s got no choice but to ditch the feds and take down her merciless pursuer on her own. But with no options, no help, and the clock running down, this not-so-innocent victim’s only shot may be the one risk that takes her out for good…

I’m Not Dying with you Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones
Lena and Campbell aren’t friends.

Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan. She knows she’s going to make it big. Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school.

When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together.

They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is phenomenal. I don’t know that I can put into words how powerful it was to read. It was a quick read and impossible to put down.

This story has been told many a times from the perspective of the news and to hear it from the perspective of two young girls made it seem more real. And horrifying. Great work to the authors for getting this story out there.

I live in Atlanta and was happy to see some friendly places in the acknowledgments such as Little Shop of Stories where I have frequented with my young family many a time. Also, of note, there is no Stein Mart at Northlake so to other ATL Readers- don’t get your hopes up.

I hope everyone reads this book!

There are just no words for this book. It reminds me of books like Speak and 13 Reasons Why. Important books. Books that everyone should read. Books that make a difference in opinions and really teach people to see things from a different perspective. That's what this book did for me. I cannot even begin to explain how Lena's words and feelings and explanations of things changes my own. Frankly, I'm Campbell. White girl who has lived a pretty sheltered life, at least in this one regard. I have never been able to understand what the big deal about race is. I still don't see a difference between me, my Native American daughter in law, my black sister in law, my mixed race niece. But this book has made me see that maybe things aren't quite as simple as that in the wide world. No matter that they should be. Maybe we really do still have a long way to go.

This was a fast read and better than I originally anticipated. Like, I read it in a couple of hours and definitely wanted to see how it ended. I enjoyed the development of the relationship between the girls and between each of them with secondary characters, even though most of that happened through the telling of the story rather than through interactions between them. It was an interesting method. I also really liked the fact that the entire story took place in one night. That was cool.