Unnecessary Drama
by Nina Kenwood*Unnecessary Drama* by Nina Kenwood is a sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant coming-of-age novel that explores the complexities of friendship, family, and self-discovery. The story centers around Tash, a young woman navigating the aftermath of a breakup and the messy, awkward transition from high school to adulthood. Kenwood’s writing is filled with humor and heart, capturing the confusion and vulnerability that come with growing up. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, with realistic relationships that evolve over time. *Unnecessary Drama* is a charming, poignant read for fans of contemporary fiction, offering a thoughtful look at navigating life's messy moments.

Nina Kenwood’s Unnecessary Drama is a book that is just okay. It follows Brooke, a new college freshman who has to manage living with roommates for the first time, one of which is her high school nemesis, a guy named Jesse. Brooke is also grappling with childhood trauma and is adjusting to a life where she now only has to worry about herself and not her entire family. As she learns to stand on her own two feet, she also finds her feelings warming toward Jesse, much to her surprise.

The standout point of this book is main character Brooke’s neuroses, which will be relatable to anyone who was raised in a codependent or alcoholic household. Brooke has a need to plan all aspects of her life, even the unexpected, in an effort to control her world and keep it safe. Feeling like you need to live on guard and always be the responsible one will resonate with many readers, especially eldest daughters, who are often found picking up the pieces of a dysfunctional family.

As for the romance in this novel, frankly it was lukewarm. I never felt the connection or chemistry between Jesse and Brooke, and honestly was bored to tears by their interactions. This novel would have been better served as a coming-of-age literary novel about Brooke than as an awkwardly delivered rom-com.

In all, Unnecessary Drama is mediocre - not bad, but not great either. As far as rom-coms go, it is pretty generic and not unlike others on the market, making it unfortunately forgettable.

kenwood does "self aware about irrational anxiety" so well.

i received an arc, but never read it. when i finally read this book, it was a copy from my library. regardless, thank you to nina kenwood, flatiron books, and netgalley for the arc <3 i am very grateful for the advance copy.

This was a really well-written story, and was very satisfying. I really enjoyed the pace, the chapters were short and the themes in this book just kept me reading and it was honestly unputdownable and very well-written.

This is an upper YA/new adult read set at a Melbourne, Australia university.

Brooke is very relatable - her anxiety brain is something I felt very attune to. The romance is a slow burn (even though there are some definite hurdles).

Despite being new adult, there is no spice so it read as regular YA, but it’s higher level classes vs high school.

Overall a solid read.

Goodness me does Nina Kenwood know how to flawlessly describe the anxious chronically insecure avoidant female psyche. And in a charming romcom, no less!

The author's portrayal of college life is both authentic and relatable, capturing the essence of the challenges and surprises that come with this transitional period. "Unnecessary Drama" goes beyond the conventional romantic comedy, delving into the themes of personal growth, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of life's twists and turns.

Maybe I'm too old to remember this stage of life, but I struggled to engage with Brooke's personality. Between her dramatic need for structure and the drawn-out inner dialogue, I couldn't get myself to root for her. I'm sure there is character development and a backstory to aspects of her behavior, but this was a DNF for me, so I didn't get that far. I'm willing to bet that there are lots of people who will resonate with this story more than me.

I loved the concept of this book however, the writing style and characters weren't for me as a reader. I felt there was too much back and forth in the MC's head that led me to skim most paragraphs. Still, I can see how others may enjoy it.

this was such a cute and funny read! i loved brooke, and brooke and jesse were so cute. i love a good enemies to lovers and this did not disappoint!

How I wish I had this book when I was leaving for college. Such a real take on early adulthood. Nina Kenwood you are a star!

It was difficult for me to get in to. The premise itself is hard to suspend my belief for- it's an off campus apartment, while having a place to stay is incredibly important it feels like the demand for "unnecessary drama" is far-fetched. The main character was also hard to root for. It just isn't for me.

Unnecessary drama is a sweet YA rom-com that explores “leaving home for the first time, dealing with the unexpected complications of life, and somehow finding exactly what you need.”

This book was super cute, but also extremely relatable🤍 I saw so much of myself in Brooke and it allowed me to feel really emotionally connected to the story. Jesse was so sweet and I thought the romance in this story was so well done. I love any type of book that has a lot of layers to it, and this one definitely did! It’s a book I found myself not only loving, but actually laughing over and I was unable to put it down. I’ve said before that I love any book that takes place in Australia, so that was really fun for me haha🤪 Unnecessary drama is the perfect read for anyone looking for a quick light read or if you’re someone still trying to figure out how to navigate life and you want to feel like you’re not the only one🫶

Read this book if you’re looking for:
🤍childhood friends to enemies to friends to lovers (a lot haha but I love it)
🤍 anxiety and mental health rep
🤍a funny, feel-good story
🤍cute YA romance

This book comes out today and I’d recommend it to anyone and everyone, but especially the YA girlies!🩷

I enjoyed this new adult rom com. The anxiety level of the MC was maybe a bit relatable! Slow burn, enemies to lovers. I enjoyed the Australian setting as a change from so much that I read that is always set in America.

The sweetest, cutest YA coming-of-age romance. Absorbing from the start and a great balance of light/serious topics without being too cheesy or heavy. Love!

The Facts: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, anxiety rep, romcom, second chance vibes, opposites attract.

Brooke is living in a house with housemates for college, and her roommate turns out to be Jesse, someone she definitely does NOT want to room with. Too bad the house rule is no drama.

Firstly, I love the cover. It's so cute, and the colors are such a vibe.

Secondly, the anxiety rep was hardcore. It was so hardcore, it made me go "holy shit, maybe I don't have anxiety" despite being a ball of anxiety in every day that ends in a y. But the anxiety thing was so well done. I felt like I was Brooke at times because the anxiety was just so realistic.

This was such a cute and light read. I really like Jesse and Brooke together, and Jesse turned out to be a really nice guy, despite the unfortunate incident. There was a LOT of secondhand embarrassment, but honestly, it was just Brooke's luck LOL.

Overall, I really enjoyed this!

I both listened to and read some of this novel. The audiobook reader has an Australian accent which adds authenticity and character to the narration. Brooke's character is endearing with her nervous habits and idiosyncrasies. The story is about enemies turning to lovers - a trope which occurs frequently but never stops to be one of my favorites. This novel is just what you want in an entertaining and romantic read. I found it comforting and cozy! Perfect for fans of Emily Henry or Beth O'Leary.

Her first year of university, Brooke moves into a house of strangers, only to find out that one of her roommates is her childhood best friend/crush turned enemy.

I read Nina Kenwood’s “It Sounded Better in My Head” last year and it felt like a diary entry. I knew I’d enjoy “Unnecessary Drama”, I just didn’t realize it would hit even closer to home. Calling Brooke a “relatable protagonist” doesn’t begin to cover it. For one, we’re both Virgos who have been to the ER for ovarian cysts–but the similarities don’t end there.

This one is for the anxious girls who take care of everyone except themselves. Who don’t drink at parties because someone has to be responsible, and they have to feel in control (her monologue on why she doesn’t drink is a standout moment and I want it on a t-shirt). Who have complicated relationships with their older sisters. Who are never the first to call someone their friend out of fear that it won’t be reciprocated. Who rewatch their favorite shows in a very specific way and can’t handle comments from anyone else on said process (y’all are going to LOVE the vampire diaries scene). Who want to be loved and are afraid of it at the same time. Who struggle to believe they could be loved without jumping to every worst case scenario. And who watch youtube compilations of couples from shows they’ve never seen.

one quote at the very end hit like a shot to the heart and i feel the need to yell it from the rooftops but i’ll let you experience it for yourself.

TROPES: childhood friends to enemies to roommates to fake dating, chaotic friend group

I recommend for fans of Begin Again by Emma Lord!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! Unnecessary Drama is out today!

Unnecessary Drama by Nina Kenwood has me so excited!
This was such a good read! I was fully sucked into the story right away and I really enjoyed the characters. The journey the author took these characters on was exciting and had me enjoying every minute.
It has been an absolute joy to get lost in this world with these relatable, easy-to-root-for characters.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Flatiron Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Ahhh! This book was a breath of fresh air!
A big thank you to the Publisher and Author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book before its release.


Two former friends turned nemeses, Brooke and Jesse, living in the same house in Melbourne. And things just progress from there. Ever since Jesse moved schools, he and Brooke have been inseparable. She's really good at writing, and he's really good at drawing. They are just the perfect little duo. The night of their first kiss at a party when they were 14 is when the friendship dies. Brooke gets mad and doesn't talk to him at all. Since then everyone knows they hate each other (that wasn't what went down, but sure).
They're both very surprised to see each other after five years and get ready to live together. They agree on Brooke's terms, to be civil and polite when around friends, and act like strangers when it's just them. But, one sleepless night, they bond over watching The Vampire Diaries and that becomes their new get-together activity. They agree to be friends. Their friends, Harper and Penny, have developed a business for dating without dating apps for uni, and Brooke is willing to try it out. Jesse was also brought into this, but the date was interrupted by a mouse in the house.
On one night out at the bar celebrating Harper's birthday, she bumps into her ex, Tristan. He dumped her for his childhood crush Kendra. Her friends get the brilliant idea that she should present a fake boyfriend to her ex, and Jesse volunteers. They kiss ('just to show Tristan and Kendra that she's moved on') and she is left breathless by the kiss. But when Jesse is asked about it, and deflects it like a dickhead like all those years ago, she buries her feelings and doesn't talk to him again.
She doesn't know what she's feeling. But when they both come home and he knocks on her door and comes in, he says that she can trust him. He explains everything from five years ago, and suddenly it makes sense for her.
When they get back, Harper tells her that Jesse has a date with the same girl he once was on one. She is obviously disappointed why Jesse didn't tell her before. She can't wait to spoil her feelings. Just as she's ready to, he leaves for his date that she doesn't want him to go to.
She decides to ruin his date. So she goes over there, lies that his car is demolished and gets to talk to him, She tells him that she's falling in love with him. AHHHHHHH!!! And he tells her that he's SO in love with her. EVEN MORE AHHHHHHH!!! And yeah. They're happy.

I love Brooke's character. The fact that Taylor Swift's folklore AND evermore were implemented in giving life to her voice was a masterpiece. She's smart and witty and calculating and ready and I love her. How could you not?

Jesse, though, did an a-hole move at fourteen, trying to be cool with the cool kids. And breaking poor Brooke's heart. And again, breaking her heart again after kissing her. Why does he have to back out after every time he's kissed her?? But still, we can forgive him, cause he's the ultimate hero here.