Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read the Advanced Readers Edition!

Wow! Just thinking about it makes my heart flutter with joy! Renée Watson is an amazing storyteller, and this book proved once again, how attentive she is to details and emotions. I wish I had this book when I was in high school! I've been plus size for most of my life, and it wasn't until I was in high school where I began to really blossom into my own style. Just like Nala, I love my body and I love my style, but the question became do I love me, for me.

This is a story about Nala, who plans for the summer has changed due to her love interest, Tye. Renée allows us to really see how much and how far we go to change our beings for someone and how much harm it can do once the truth is out. I wish there is more I could say with spoiling, but this book was absolutely beautiful and I've highlighted so much revelation that I can use today, as a young adult! Bravo, Renée!!!!!

I can always count on Renee Watson to write amazing MG and YA titles and Love is a Revolution is no exception. I loved many things about this book and to honor the style of the book I will list them.
1. It has a plus size main character and the fact that she’s plus sized isn’t a problem/issue for anyone. She loves her body & gets a hot boy too (here for it)
2. Nala is still figuring out who she going into her senior year which a lot of kids can relate to. She’s not sure if college is the right track for her and spends the book thinking about her future
3. Nala has an unconventional family life in that she lives with her aunt and uncle and cousin (who is more like a sister) because her mom couldn’t handle raising her
4. Lots of focus on Harlem, woke teens and social justice/activism
5. The message of loving yourself first is the best
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I wanted to read this Renee Watson book because I loved her book Piecing Me Together. I actually loved Love is a Revolution even more.
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When I say the main character Nala lies to impress a boy, and then regrets not being herself from the very beginning, you can not picture a rom com. This book is so much more than a teenage fling. It’s a story of a girl figuring out what’s important to her and learning how to make decisions on her own without trying to please everyone else. The cast of characters is what makes this book special: Grandma, JT, Uncle Randy, Sadie, Aunt Ebony, Imani, but my favorite is TYE. Their romance is so sweet!
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It is everything a young adult book should be: Memorable, real characters, great examples of good decisions and bad decisions without being preachy, addresses current societal issues but doesn’t focus so much on them that it takes over the plot, a great romance, and a plot that pulled me in from page one. I love how Nala’s grandmother was such a huge part of her life and how Nala has so much respect for the other older people in the book.
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As far as mature content, there is no language or sex. This is a five star read that I’ll be recommending to young adults and adults.

Review will be available on my blog, The Reading Fairy, on February 1st, 2021

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion.

TW: Parental separation, divorce (mentioned), murder of Black people (mentioned), lying, micro-aggressions, mention of slavery
Rep: Fat Black (Jamaican) MC, Black LI, Fat & Black prominent character, Black side characters

“And Nala Robertson, you have got t start learning how to love yourself. For you, it will always be easier to love other people, to put them first and cater to them, to adapt to their needs. You want to really be something in this world-learn hw to walk in a room being yourself and staying to who you are. Yes, there’s room for growth, always. But if the change isn’t for you it won’t last.”

I was so excited when I saw the cover for this book! A plus sized Black teen who gets their own romance and learns to love herself? That sounds perfect so much because we need more of these books in general. So when I saw this book available for request on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it-because it sounds so good!

Though, this is now a call out to me because I need to read more of Renee Watson’s books. Books that features Black girls who are often plus-sized, just navigating their every day life is so awesome, and Renee Watson books are.

This book features Nala-a plus sized Black girl who lives with her aunt, and her cousin Imani, who is a teen social activist and volunteers at Harlem Inspired. Nala agrees to go with Imani to Harlem Inspired where she meets Tye, a new guy at the social activist group.

Can I just say I absolutely adore Tye though. He’s so sweet, caring and an activist. I just really loved him, and how he was developed in caring for Nala. I’m swooning over a fictional character, but honestly I want him to be a reality.

For once I actually really liked the romance. It must be because I have been deprived of socialization (thanks pandemic and school), but honestly I loved it. Mostly because it’s still really rare to even connect with romance. I did kinda thought it was a little insta-love, but we are not complaining-because Black teens fall in love and get their own happy ending!

But can we just talking about the grandma and her community. like wow, but I seriously loved JT especially. Basically anyone who likes ice cream especially when it comes to chocolate icecream are my favorite people.

Nala is looking forward to spending her summer hanging with her friends and chilling. When she goes to an Inspire Harlem event she meets Tye and is immediately smitten. She wants to spend more time with him so she tells a little white lie about being a vegetarian. As she spends more time with him, a few more lies are told. If she tells him the truth, will he still like her?
A wonderful story about being true to yourself and finding your voice. Another great book by Renee Watson!

Disclaimer: This is an arc I received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! Nala Robertson grudgingly agrees to go to an open mic where she ends up meeting Tye Brown and she falls in love with him instantly except for one thing: Tye is an activist and she isn't. In order to win Tye's affections, she tells a few white lies. However, as they get to know each other, it becomes harder for her to continue them. This is perfect for fans of There's Something about Sweetie and Yes No Maybe So.

First of all, I think this is a genius premise. Lately there have been a lot of great YA books about teen activists (including Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson!)--and I think those are so important because there are so many awesome, admirable teen activists. But this book is about Nala, a teen girl who's annoyed because all of her friends spend all their time doing activism and she just like wants to live her life and watch Netflix and not get yelled at because she doesn't like to carry around heavy reusable water bottles all the dang time.

And honestly I think that's going to resonate with a lot of teens.

It also really stressed me out because when she gets a crush on an activist boy she starts pretending to be more engaged than she really is, and also pretends to be vegetarian when she isn't, and I was like aaaaaa girl aaaa your house of lies is going to collapse any minute now!!!!! So stressful. (But, also, totally the kind of impulsive thing a teen with a crush might do without thinking it through fully.)

Also I love that she's a fat heroine who is not worried that her crush won't like her because of her body, but because she doesn't care enough about the environment.

A really cool, fresh read.

Nala Robinson is looking forward to a summer of binge-watching, trying out all the flavors of ice cream at the local ice cream shop, and hanging out with her cousin-sister-friend Imani. When she agrees to attend an event for a group that Imani belongs to, Nala does not expect to find herself attracted to Tye Brown, an activist, who plans on spending his summer putting on events that will help the community. Nala makes the rash decision to say and do things that she thinks will impress Tye. Nala's lies begin to impact all of her relationships and she starts to realize that she is not only shortchanging her relationship with Tye, as well as other people, but more importantly she is shortchanging herself by not believing in herself.

Nala is a well-written, well-developed character, who you really root for. She reminds us that we all need to figure out who we are and love ourselves, flaws and all before we can love anyone else. The other characters grow and change throughout the book and the role of the adults play an integral part in Nala's story with just the right amount of involvement. Ms. Watson does an excellent job of describing the struggles of teenagers--how they view themselves and others, how they perceive themselves and how they think other people see them. This is an important book to put in the hands of all girls, who believe that they have to become someone else in order to get a book to be interested in them.

Thanks, Net Galley for the DRC! I'm a Renée Watson fan, so it was nice to get an advance copy of her latest book. The central character is Nala, who lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousin-sister-friend Imani in Harlem. Nala's mom is alive and well-ish, but not in the best place to care for a teenager. It's the summer before Nala and Imani's senior year of high school. Imani is deeply involved with Inspire Harlem, a group of community activists that Nala thinks are a little too intense. However, at an event on Imani's birthday, Nala meets a handsome new Inspire Harlem member named Tye and begins to transform herself--for him. Tye hates a liar, and Nala is becoming one. There's also tension with Imani, who is growing distant from her family. For Nala, family is a top priority. She loves spending time with their grandmother at her senior home.

It's possible Nala exaggerates her activities at the senior home, claiming them as a volunteer job. I find lying protagonists tough to take, knowing they're going to get caught, usually just before they were finally going to come clean. The big reveal in Love Is a Revolution goes better than you might expect, but it's still a rough moment.

Like a lot of teen love interests, Tye is on the too perfect side, but he can't help loving Nala, even if she buys disposable water bottles and doesn't recognize quotations by great Black thinkers. Nala is a little ashamed that she's not more cognizant of Black history, but she's also committed to having fun. Tye appreciates that about her. Imani, not so much. Then again, Imani isn't thrilled when Nala is all of a sudden hanging out with her Inspire Harlem friends. Both girls are struggling, in realistic and relatable ways.

It's strangely appealing that Imani is the character that many readers might identify with, or think that they should. I appreciate that Watson emphasizes self in the umbrella of revolution. She cares for all of the characters--and people--in this Harlem-set novel.

All Nala wants from the summer before her senior year is to find a new hairstyle, spend time with her cousin-sister-friend and teen activist Imani, and fall in love. When Nala accompanies Imani to an activism event, she meets Tye, the dreamy socially aware MC, and falls for him. In order to impress him, she tells a few teeny white lies that spiral out of her control. As she falls even deeper for Tye, she comes to terms with the person she wants to be being different from the persona she's created.

'Love is a Revolution' centered fat Black women and is never about them struggling with their bodies. The balance between Nala's self-care and Imani's social justice fight was so relevant and relatable. Even more than the romance, I enjoyed seeing Nala's relationship with her estranged mother, grandmother, and Aunts.

Wow! Since I start reading this ultra delicious, moving, honest, motivating, inspirational book Bob Marley’s song started playing in my head: “ Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights!”

Renee Watson did an incredible job by creating those memorable, truly sweetest, most lovable and natural characters! I’m not only talking about Nala who grows up, wearing big girls pants , learning to be brave to rediscover herself by facing her fears. Or Tye who checks all the boxes to become sweetest pie and best book boyfriend.

I’m also talking about Imani, Sadie, grandmother and ice cream addict JT( best role model as grandfather candidate)!
This book is not only about love, romance, growing pains, challenges of leaving childhood behind to become grown up!
There are so many great political, self awareness, environmental, eco-biological messages. But the best thing I enjoyed about this boom is a unique girl’s pure, genuine heartwarming story who has her own insecurities, thinking little about herself, losing her way, pretending to be another person to be loved and adored. I loved Nala. I loved the paths she followed to find herself. I loved her bravery, resilience, honesty.

And of course I fell in love with every song words written in this book. (Nala listens to imaginary singer Blue and the singer’s inspirational song lyrics have been shared at beginnings of some chapters) After reading those enthusiastic, moving, pure emotional words pouring from the writer’s heart, you feel like you can achieve anything you dream. Only thing holds you back your own fear!

I’m giving a quick summary of storyline to give more details about characters and story’s processing:

Nala Robertson leaves her childhood house at age of 13, after the big argument she’d had with her mother, living with her Aunt Ebony- Uncle Randy and her cousin-sister- friend Imani. She falls in love with Tye Brown at first sight during the open mic night for her cousin’s birthday party.
She also feels like her cousin and she are slowly drifting apart because Imani is a part of Inspire Harlem group, which is an activist organization to improve the social, economic, environmental, political conditions of neighborhood. And Nala has hard time to be part of it.
But as soon as she meets Tye, she blurts out some white lies to pretend she is dealing with social responsibility project for seniors. And as she continues to share more about herself, her lies get out of control.

Could Tye like real her or could she actually find her true self and tell him the truth?

Layered, perfectly crafted characters, lyrical, emotional, provocative, powerful story telling and meaningful messages made me fall in love with this beautiful novel.

I’m giving well deserved, well written, memorable five stars for the soul of beautiful young women who are brave enough to raise up their voices!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books/ Bloomsbury YA for sharing this digital copy of this incredible book in exchange my honest thoughts.

Love is a Revolution was so well written and had a lot of positive messages, but I really struggled with some of the plot lines/character choices. The story starts with Nala being dragged along to an event held by Inspire Harlem, the teen activism group her cousin Imani is a part of. Nala doesn't care about Inspire Harlem, and she feels it is pulling Imani away from her. Then, she meets Tye, the newest members of the group, and is immediately drawn to him. Wanting to impress him, she tells him a series of lies, including that she is vegetarian and volunteers at a senior living home - when in reality, she loves meat and just goes to the home to visit her grandmother.

"The main character lies to impress someone cute and then ends up having to cover and continue lying to keep up their relationship" is one of my absolute least favorite romance tropes. It makes the whole story so stressful and awkward, regardless of what else is happening in the book, and also just makes the main character look like a pretty terrible person. Besides this, I never really bought that Nala actually really liked Tye as a person. Her reasons for liking him essentially boil down to his being cute and wanting to talk to/spend time with her a lot. She hardly likes anything he's into, and his activism really annoys her. But that activism is a core quality of his and he isn't going to get over it. It's all he wants to talk about, and she never wants to talk about it. It was just really unbelievable that she would actually enjoy spending time with him - it seemed like she just liked looking at him/touching him, but the reader is supposed to believe that she genuinely cares for him due to his personality.

I was far more interested in the family plot lines. Nala has deep feelings of not belonging anywhere and not being wanted, due to not living with her mother and the way that Imani has started treating her. Her relationship with her grandmother is really moving, and I could have read a whole book about Nala with her grandmother/her grandmother's friends. There were also some beautiful messages about loving yourself and embracing your preferences for your own body, even if other people/society tell you it's wrong.

On the other hand, the weird focus on reusable water bottles was kind of bizarre to me. I realize it was supposed to be a specific example of something that affected her relationship with Tye, and Nala isn't wrong that a water bottle was a bad gift for him to give her to when she's clearly something he cares about and she doesn't. But her reasoning for not using a reusable bottle is basically that she finds it annoying and she always recycles the plastic ones? Which besides not being "good" (just less bad than throwing them on the street, basically), she also clearly goes to throw one in the trash but only stops because Tye is watching. This seems like an odd thing to focus on because a lot of readers in the target age group probably would think the way Nala goes through disposable bottles is pretty extreme. Nala isn't interested in activism, and that's completely fine - not everyone has to be. But it seems to be taken to the other extreme of "I don't care about the environment so I'm going to do what I want" here which is a really strange choice for a character that teens are supposed to relate to. I just wish a different topic had been focused on here, one that was a little more believable/understandable.

Oh, I love Renee Watson! Everything she writes is so easy to just sink into and finish in one sitting. Her characters are so relatable and real. Her stories are so honest. I'm a white girl, so I just think Renee Watson gets people really well. She writes emotion really well. She's just awesome. This is one of my favorites because I just fell in love with Nala. Nala is a people pleaser and conformer who loves others a bit more than herself and gets into some trouble because of that. Oh, I've been there! This story was fabulous and the subplots were well-done.