This was delightful. Perfect for this year. The story covers a lot of important topics for teens but also manages to be super cute at the same time. Plus, you'll just fall in love with Marva and Duke. A great read for 2020 and beyond.

What a great timely book that’s needed right now. If only there were more people like Marva in the world. A great way for readers to learn about voting rights, activism, racism and so many other important topics. But, most of all to see Black joy in the world.

Marva and Duke are eighteen-year-olds with very different approaches to Election Day. She has devoted more time to get-out-the-vote efforts than she has to her cat Selma's social media presence. He just wants to cast a ballot and collect his sticker so his mom will lay off him. When he runs into trouble at their polling place, she makes it her mission to get his vote counted. Their day-long saga tackles some heavy topics for such a sweet romance (gun violence, disenfranchisement, and police brutality, to name a few) but still finds time for long walks along the beach and fried bologna sandwiches.

Wow. This book is exactly what I needed to get out of a reading slump. Main characters Duke and Marva were so fun to get to know. Marva, being a huge politico and also what would be called a "goodie goodie" was so interesting because I was the same way when I was able to finally vote. I wasn't as involved or drastic as her but it was fun to see. Duke was more like the rest of the world except that he actually cared to vote and go on this day long adventure to finally get to vote. It was so fun and just the perfect read.

I'm absolutely loving the recent trend of politics in YA, which is due to 2020 being an election year in the US. If you're, like me, interested in these types of books, I would say that The Voting Booth is pretty much required reading.

The Voting Booth reminded me a lot of The Sun Is Also a Star as well, since it also all happens in one day. This makes the book perfect to read in one sitting, and I found it a very fast and engaging read.

I think this book will appeal to a large audience. It handles subjects like racial injustice and gun violence, and the privilege of being able to opt out of activism because things don't have a direct impact on your life. And while all of this feels poignant and relevant, the book still manages to stay light and mostly fluffy, which I think is no small feat.

CWs: gun violence, past death of a sibling, racism

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read & review an E-ARC of this novel!**

This was such a cute read & it surprised me with it's discussions of very vital topics that need to be highlighted & discussed throughout society. It didn't surprise me with the fact that it discussed these topics...& not even with how well the author explores the topics. What surprised me was how well timed this novel is in continuing discussions that need to be had regarding aspects of & people within our communities that deserve & need to be seen/heard/validated/cared for. I enjoyed getting to know these characters & learning from their experiences. Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-Selma!: I loved Melva's cat. I'm a cat Meowm too & I also have a social media account for my furbaby. Crazy Cat Meowms UNITE! :)
-the advocacy: the focuses on the importance of voting/being involved in political discussions, the highlight on organizational issues against underrepresented populations, the calling out of systemic racism...it is all so important & very well done in this novel! I really feel that the author discusses some tough topics in this novel & she does so with grace while noting the imperative nature of these discussions
-how the characters had issues that were very realistic (family members passing away, mental health stigma, pressure regarding their future, family issues, etc.)
-how the characters also had aspects that made them likable & relatable (enjoying hobbies, quirky attitudes, witty comebacks, etc.)

Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-the romance did feel a bit rushed...but I sort of expected this with the story being set in a 24 hour period...it was still very cute
-there was a lot of things happening in this 24 hour period...it felt a bit unrealistic at times

Overall, I gave this novel 3 stars! I think it would be a great read for those interested in politics, rom-coms, YA, empowerment reads, & books set within 24 hours.

Any fan of Brandy Colbert can tell you that her writing is authentic and fully encapsulates what it feels like to be a teenager. Brandy Colbert just gets it and The Voting Booth is another exceptional example. Marva and Duke wake up on election day ready to cast their votes and have no idea what the day has in store for them. This book, that takes place in less than 24 hours, is impossible to put down as we see the main characters get entwined in each other's day. Marva and Duke end up on an adventure to make sure that Duke gets to cast his very first vote. This book encourages teens to take an active role in their communities and the thrill of voting for the first time is the backdrop of the novel. Brandy Colbert shows that caring is cool and making a difference, no matter how big, is important. This book also discusses police violence, racism, and racial discrimination. Marva and Duke have several conversations about growing up Black and how it has shaped their world. This book is timely and will inspire and reflect today's teens.

Oh, how I adore the look-at-everything-that-can-happen-in-one-day books.
This one is fun and snappy. I like Marva and Duke. Their chemistry and struggles and behaviors are real.
Respect, drive, being multifaceted, and finding your person are all wonderfully addressed in yet another great teen read by this author.

This was so good. It was a little all-in-one-day story about the importance of voting. There’s even a little romance too. This book tackled racial micro-aggressions, voter suppression, and white privilege. It was pretty short, so there’s not a ton to say about it, but I know a lot of Gen Z kids are huge into the activism scene and I think this will be a really good story for them leading up to the 2020 election. The voices of both main characters felt authentic. It’s really little things like Duke responding “bet.” as a text that makes them feel genuine but a lot of YA authors still don’t have that same touch.

It’s a little questionable that Marva starts the day with a boyfriend and develops feelings for Duke over the day, but there was no cheating in the book. The romance is a little rushed but it’s acknowledged and seems pretty well justified considering.

It’s a great time to read and support a fluffy Black political book, so I recommend checking this one out when it comes out next month.

I’ll put a content warning here for a missing cat, because it’s a decently sized part of the plot, & brings up really bad memories for me at least, but /////spoiler alert///// she comes home okay by the end.

Brandy Colbert is my favorite voice in young adult fiction. With that said, The Voting Booth caries through the strong characterization and treatment of young adults as peers that I love about her previous books.

Marva is incredibly passionate about finally getting to vote in her first election. Duke? Well, his mom might kill him if he doesn't vote. When he runs into some trouble checking in at the polls (maybe he registered at his old address), Marva overhears and commits to getting him to vote. She agrees to drive him to his actual polling station, but they encounter lots of roadblocks along the way, and the two start to grow closer to one another.

If you're looking for a fun and fairly light-hearted book that emphasizes the value of voting without pushing any political slants or viewpoints, I can't imagine a better book.

Marva is a serious voting enthusiast, and at 18 is getting to pull the lever for the first time. She's pissed at her boyfriend, Alec, who for reasons that never become clear, isn't voting. Enter Luke, a disenfranchised voter, who obviously Marva has to help vote. I forget which state they're in, California, I think, but it's a state that has same-day registration, not to mention school is held on Election Day. Is that really a thing? It's the November election, not a primary, and Marva is so committed that she misses a calculus test to help get Luke to the polling place for his former residence. Luke teases Marva for going to a fancy school and driving a Volvo, which annoys her, but she still thinks he's cute.

As the day progresses, they talk about race (they're both Black), class, and other topics, they get to know each other better. Luke even meets Marva's parents, who immediate like him better than ignorant white Alec.

It's a readable, but not the most satisfying. Also the Eartha Kitty (Instagram cat celeb) plot line was totally wack. If one of my cats was ever missing, I would freak the hell out and wouldn't worry about one dumbass kid with other resources getting his vote on.

Thanks, NetGalley and Disney for the DRC.

My students are always asking for romance books but finding ones that have a good message and the right balance of romance and “drama” is a challenge. This book has both but the drama is about voting and the challenges people face getting to vote in the system we have today. As Duke and Marva race around their city to try to vote they find love and a little more out about themselves. I think he world we live in today it is even more important for marginalized people in this country to have their voices heard and listened to, something the system we have in place makes VERY difficult. As always Brandy Colbert does a great job of weaving an entertaining story with current issues such as voter suppression, race and class disparities in America, police violence and civil disobedience. She is an author I love to read and always look forward to her new books!

I love books that take place in just one day. This story is perfectly timed to this election year, and I think many teens will be interested in the subject matter. I am all in for this trend. Voter fraud is something that young people need to be more aware of than ever.
In this story, Marva is voting for the first time. She has been prepping for this vote over the last two years and is educated on all the issues. Her friend Duke is voting for the first time also, and when she sees him get turned away from the polls, she steps in and spends the day going through the rigamarole that we call "adulting" in unraveling what he needs to do to cast a vote.
I'd happily add this to any American Government reading list for teens.

Timely and relevant. This is an important read right now, in a season of voting and it brings up many real issues in society. I loved that it took place during one day and the way it alternated. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Definitely a book for the political moment a la Yes No Maybe So, though also for those who enjoyed the condensed emotion of The Sun Is Also a Star/They Both Die at the End/Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. I appreciated the swiftness of the pacing, not drawing the time out unrealistically or taking on too much, along with the use of short background inserts to fill in information, and simultaneously felt that I never quite settled into the world or the characters because of the almost short-story seeming brevity. I liked both the MCs, both of whom had clear characterization and POVs, though I didn't necessarily feel strong romantic chemistry from them. Definitely recommend to young people with an activist bent, those feeling dispirited by the US political situation, or someone just looking for a quick YA contemp read.

I love how this is a political YA book. Many of my teens are activists, so they will LOVE this book when it is published.

Marva has dreamed of being able to vote for as long as she could remember. She was so excited, that she planned and tirelessly advocated for voting for 2 years. The day that she had been waiting and planning for finally arrived, and she did what she dreamed of... she voted. However, she quickly made a friend whose ability to vote what hindered. The situation triggered a day of adventures as they raced the clock, overcame many obstacles, and even took a trip to the beach... all for Duke to get the chance to vote. As a black woman educator, this book is definitely going to make its way into my classroom. It highlights several things that Black/African American men and women experience in the country, even when they are biracial or grow up in middle-class suburban neighborhoods. Young adults need to learn about the importance of voting, and this book does a phenomenal job of emphasizing that. I'd rate this book ten stars if I could.

Marva is a young voting rights activist, excited to be able to vote for the first time. When she runs into Duke being stopped at the polls, she stops at nothing to ensure that he will be able to cast his vote. I loved the premise of this book. A lot of people think that teenagers are apathetic, but so many are passionate about the world around them. I’ve read other books by Brandy Colbert, and I always love how she fleshes out her characters. Super relatable. 4 1/2 ⭐️.

The Voting Booth is a story of how two teens are thrown together for a day and do a world of good. Marva is a driven young woman who wants change and wants to help others realize their power in voting. She does all she can to help her community be more engaged in their civic duties.
Duke knows the value of voting and when he goes to vote, he realizes that he is at the wrong location. So begins an epic day filled with ups and downs, while creating a lasting bond between two new friends. And maybe some chemistry is brewing as well!
This is a wonderful young adult book that will do a LOT of good in the world. I believe this would be a fantastic read for a young adult book club or in a classroom. I see this inspiring a lot of civic engagement in our community.

This book was so good! The whole book takes place over the course of one day and is super fast-paced; I finished the whole thing in one sitting. The main characters are super likable and I was pulled into their stories right from the start. This book is perfect for fans of The Hate U Give as it has a similar storyline - young, black girl who is interested in social justice reform attends prestigious majority white school, where she dates a sort of "woke" white boy who just doesn't quite get it.