Thank you to NetGalley, Roaring Brook Press, MacMillian Audio and the author.

This was a super important story - given how many teens have been severely injured or worse from hazing by sororities and fraternities. How much of one's self do you have to give away to become accepted by an exclusive club? And what about the hazing involved?

Many teens entering college struggle with alcohol and Blake is no different, feeling more at ease in her body once submerged in a liquid haze. The need to fit in somewhere and belong is strongly at the forefront of many teen and young adults’ minds as they move from high school to college or the workforce. Some of which are willing to do anything to get into an exclusive group or meet a set of new friends.

I loved reading from the point of view of Blake. As a teacher and simply fellow human being, I feel like it's important to educate myself on different perspectives to understand both my students and community more. As a person of color and gay, Blake taught me a lot.

As for the narration I thought Alicia Jackson did a great job. Her voice fit our main character of Blake so well and she was easy to listen to, but not so melodic that she lulls you to sleep. Her narration felt very genuine.

This book was poignant. A great book to recommend to older high school students as they exit the public school cocoon.

Thirsty: A Novel by Jas Hammonds is a poignant coming-of-age story that masterfully delves into themes of identity, family, and environmental justice. Set in a small town grappling with water shortages, the novel follows the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery while uncovering generational secrets. Hammonds’ prose is lyrical, and the vivid descriptions make the setting come alive. While the pacing can be uneven at times, with certain plot points feeling rushed, the emotional depth and timely subject matter make Thirsty a compelling read that resonates long after the final page.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a great, very important read. I love that YA books are touching more on important topics, would recommend highly

I enjoyed this, it really broached some hard topics, especially teen drinking (addiction), and toxic relationships. I think this would be a great book to read with high school students as it broached these hard subjects really well, it was treated with care and didn't feel judgemental. It does have a lot of potential triggers but what book about a tough subject doesn't? The characters and story felt very real and relatable. Definitely one to read this year!

Beware of the alcoholic and teen drinking aspect of this book. I consider myself thick skined but as a mother, daughter, and fellow female sorority member and this book really affected me. Alcohol is at the center of this read. Everything these characters seem to do revolves around it, but the message is powerful. The events are believable, and if you can make it through the otherwise this read is certainly impactful.

In "Thirsty" by Jas Hammonds, Blake Brenner's journey through the pressures of college and the quest for acceptance paints a raw and unflinching portrait of youth, identity, and the allure of belonging. Blake, a complex character grappling with insecurities and a desire to fit in, finds solace in alcohol, which transforms her into someone she's not, yet someone the elite Serena Society adores. The Serena Society is a mysterious and exclusive sorority promising status and connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella, Blake's girlfriend and daughter of a Serena alum, seems destined for acceptance, while Blake, from a working-class background, must prove herself.

As Blake navigates the intoxicating world of privilege and power, her struggles with self-worth and authenticity come to a head. Hammonds skillfully delves into themes of teen drinking, damaging relationships, and the complexities of race and class differences. Blake's narrative is at once harsh and hopeful, showing the destructive paths one can tread in search of acceptance, yet also the resilience to rise above it all. Blake's evolution from a troubled outsider to a young woman reclaiming her identity is both poignant and empowering.

The audiobook version of "Thirsty," narrated by Alaska Jackson, was an exceptional experience. Jackson's portrayal brought each character to life with distinct voices and emotionally resonant acting. This was the first book I've listened to narrated by Alaska Jackson, and it certainly won't be my last.

"Thirsty" is an important read for teens navigating their own paths, shedding light on the pressures to conform, the pitfalls of self-destructive behaviors, and the ultimate power of self-acceptance. It challenges readers to question societal norms and find beauty in their individuality. Adults, too, can glean valuable insights from Blake's journey, reflecting on the impact of expectations and the importance of embracing differences.

Blake's story serves as a reminder that true belonging starts from within, encouraging us all to respect each other's choices and see the beauty in our diversity. "Thirsty" urges readers to find strength in their differences rather than succumb to the pressures to fit in. Hammonds' narrative is a call to authenticity, a testament to the resilience of youth, and a compelling exploration of what it means to carve out one's own path.

Alaska Jackson read the eight-hour narration, embodying the characters in this book. Hammonds and her team sure know how to pick a good storyteller!

Let's set the record straight: Thirsty is not We Deserve Monuments, and it's not supposed to be. Thirsty is not just a book; it's a journey. It's a journey for those who have spiraled and found a way to get help. It's a journey for those who unknowingly attach themselves to others to fill the void of what's missing. It's a journey for the kids who are trying to grow up and find themselves. Thirsty is about figuring it out, and this journey of self-discovery is what makes it so inspiring.

It was a cool book to read, falling down the rabbit hole of Blake's Helter Skelter life. I'd say this book's portrayal of teenage alcoholism is one of the better and most closely related to actual teens who do have an addiction I've seen in a while.

A moving coming of age Sapphic YA story featuring a Black teen and her girlfriend who are both trying to get into an exclusive sorority their first year of college. Tackling heavy family issues, mental health, the pressure to succeed and alcoholism, this was great on audio yet not quite as good (for me) as their last book). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Jas Hammonds's 'Thirsty: A Novel', narrated by Alaska Jackson, offers a compelling exploration of alcoholism and the journey towards sobriety in young adult fiction. Through characters like Annetta, Blake, and Nattie, Hammonds delves into themes of friendship, self-discovery, and racial identity with depth and sensitivity. Jackson's narration enhances the experience, deftly navigating between characters with subtle changes in tone, ensuring an immersive journey for listeners.

From the magnetic opening chapter to its hopeful conclusion, 'Thirsty' captivates with its raw honesty and poignant storytelling. Blake's struggle with addiction, Nattie's unwavering support, and the complexities of Blake's relationship with Ella create a narrative tapestry that lingers long after the final chapter. Anchored by Jackson's skillful narration, 'Thirsty' is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of self-acceptance.

I did not think I was going to like this book as much as I ended up liking it! The message in the book is strong and well-written. No one covers addiction from one’s point of view. Usually, it’s everyone else’s point of view. Even though you see the struggle Blake goes through trying to accept her faults, you get the feeling how who she is while she does. She was fighting a lot of her demons and others who were close to her. Blake was so blinded by love that she didn’t even realize she was in a toxic relationship! This book was well written and relatable for someone who is either in that position or has needed to be strong for someone in that position. Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read the book and give my honest opinion. Thank you, Jas Hammonds, for writing such a touching book that will help others. Your development of the book was handled with care and you can tell!!

Idk if y’all know this, but the first book by Hammonds made me cry into my chicken strips at lunch one day. And because of that one day, I KNEW I was going to read everything that they wrote. So when I saw that they had this one coming out and I was going to have the chance to meet them in person, I KNEW I had to get my hands on this book. And let me tell you, even though I LOVED their first book, I think I liked this one just as much.

So there’s no secrets and grandmas in this one, but there are some things that would usually five me pause. As some of y’all may know, one of my triggers is addiction. Not because I suffered from it, but because I was one of those left behind by it. Because I was there for when it hurt some of the people I love most. I thought that maybe I wouldn’t be able to read this one, but since it was about her having the addiction and in a toxic relationship, it only showed a small part of the family members she hurt. Or that’s what I unpacked from being able to read it. So if you’re ok with that, maybe you can read it also.

Now that that’s out the way, I want to talk about the writing style. I don’t know what it is about Jas’ writing, but they always suck me in. And the way they wrote certain scenes, like when Blake blacked out and when the raw emotion I felt in her character. I was so enveloped into this story. Everything was just so real and raw and realistic. Jas is definitely a new fave!

Another thing I really liked about this book was the sorority aspect. As someone in one of the D9, I have a very unique connection to this book. And I don’t want to say anything, but some of these things hit very close to home. I gotta say, I had to put the book down for a minute because I found myself like reliving some things. I joined in 2008. I don’t think I’ve thought about that part of it since then lmao So this was a bit hard to read. But only because I related to it so well. This part of the story was also very realistic and very raw.

The romance in this was pretty toxic. And I gotta say, I was yelling at Blake from the beginning until the end. I HATED her girlfriend. And I knew from the beginning how it was going to end. They were either going to kill each other or they would break up and they would heal, but they wouldn’t be together. I’ll let you guess which one it is. I’ll just say, even though there’s no grandmas in this one, I still cried. The entire book was traumatizing, but also very healing. And I love that it felt like that because in the author’s note Jas also said it was healing for her to write about. They definitely conveyed that message through their writing.

This is the second book by Jas and the second book of theirs that I gave 5 stars to. I don’t really know how I’m going to make myself wait another year. But I will be waiting. I hate reading books early for this reason lol Why did I do this to myself?

Sadly, I was approved for this 12 hours before it was archived and didn't get a chance to download it. So my review is for the platform, not the book.
Sorry.

Thank you Macmillan Young Listeners for the free audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. I love Jas' writing and once again they did not disappoint. They do a great job at taking complex circumstances and writing them for young people.

An intense story of high school, drinking, the pressure to belong and the desire to follow your own path. Dealing with topics or racism, drinking, lots of heavy stuff

I was only a few chapters into Thirsty when I realized that this book would likely become one of my favorite reads of 2024, and that feeling stuck with me for the remainder of the book. Jas Hammonds is such a talented writer, and one whose work I've been meaning to read for a long time. This book was truly unputdownable, and I devoured it, which was particularly surprising given the heavy nature of the content and themes (including alcoholism, peer pressure, transphobia, classism, and racism).

What I loved:
- The writing style: Jas Hammonds writes in a way that is both beautifully lyrical and also so, so readable. There was a slow-building tension throughout the first three-quarters of the book that made me feel like I couldn't put the book down for even a minute. I absolutely needed to find out where Blake, Ella, and Annetta's stories would take them.
- The relationships: It's so challenging to have such a large cast of characters who all have different, complicated relationships with each other, but this was one of my favorite parts of Thirsty. I especially enjoyed the depiction of Blake's evolving relationships outside of her romantic partnership with Ella.
- The resolution: There were so many directions Jas Hammonds could have taken the story, and (without giving away any spoilers) I appreciated the ending that we were given. It may not have been neat and tidy, but it provided the believable closure I needed.
- The setting: There's just something about a "summer story", and as a former lifeguard who spent whole summers poolside, I was immediately sucked into the story.
- The audiobook narration: This is the first book I've listened to narrated by Alaska Jackson, but certainly won't be my last. The narration was EXCELLENT. Each character had a distinct voice, and the acting was emotionally resonant.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced listener copy!

Only listened to the first three chapters before this was archived, but immediately purchased the audiobook upon release. Love the writing and performance by the narrator.

A gripping and emotional journey of a queer teen, Blake, who is risking it all to join the exclusive Serena Society before college. Blake's struggle to balance her dreams with the pressures of pledging and drinking is portrayed with raw intensity. The narrator, Alaska Jackson, brings each character to life with remarkable authenticity. The story's suspense and emotional depth kept me captivated from start to finish. Loved how the aftermath was handled.

Wow. This was phenomenal. I honestly had no doubts that I was going to love this because I adored We Deserve Monuments and this book is so different yet just as amazing.

It follows a biracial lesbian main character, her girlfriend, and her best friend as they try and get into this elite sorority group for black women.

Blake is an alcoholic but that's not acknowledged until almost the end of this book and a big hunk of this book is her partying and drinking and abusing alcohol to the point where it starts to ruin her relationships and her friendships. She is peer pressured into drinking constantly during this pledging process and her girlfriend is super problematic. There is a wealth difference between Blake and her girlfriend and that is discussed pretty in-depth. I really loved Blake's relationship with her best friend and overall this book is incredibly important. It's engaging and you're going to get sucked in and it's gonna end up as a favorite for you too.

Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

Thank you to @netgalley, @macmillan.audio, and @jashammonds for the opportunity to read this #advancedlistenercopy in exchange for #honestbookreview! Thirsty is now available for purchase.

This was a tough, messy, and worthwhile read! I’ve never read another book quite like this that was fiction but felt and read like a memoir. Hammonds perfectly encapsulated what it’s like to be trapped in your teenage years with mistakes running aplenty and not a single clue what is right and what your boundaries are. This main character stumbles through her teenage years whilst reconciling the biases towards her as a biracial and lesbian woman. This is heartbreaking but so entertaining and worth the read!

TWs: r*cism, infidelity, involuntarily being outed, alc*holism, bull*ing, more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

When I first started this book I wasn't sure if it was going to be the right fit for me. It's not really what I've been reading as of late and honestly, it started a bit slow for me. However, once I got into I was so glad I took a chance on the book. I think Jas Hammonds does a great job of exploring the pressure of fitting in and what it can cost you. While how Blake is trying to fit in and the struggles she has isn't something directly I've had happen I still could see myself in her. Remembering more about the pressure I went through and how heavy it all felt. I found the book emotional in the best way. While for me it moves a little slow at times it's still a fast enjoyable read.