I did NOT know what to expect what I started this book. But OMG was it amazing. I honestly what never had guessed the outcome of it at all. This was an amazing debut. The mystery. The topic of missing Black girls and the coverage the news gives it.

I enjoyed so much of it. Sariyah’s mama going through what she went through. How imperfect and realistic it was. My heart broke for Malcolm but he pissed me off so bad!! You really read this book and trust NO ONE.

Book: Needy Little Things
Author: Channelle Desamours
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. I know this one hasn’t come out for a few more months, but I don’t get why more people are not talking about it. This is a great YA thriller/mystery. I have seen this compared to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and this is a fair comparison.

Sariyah Lee Bryant, a Black teenager with an uncanny ability to sense what people need—like a hair tie or phone charger—must use her gift to uncover the truth behind her friend Deja’s sudden disappearance. For Sariyah, it feels like history repeating itself; she’s already lost another friend to the void of missing persons, and she refuses to let Deja become another overlooked Black girl. With little faith in the police or media to take the case seriously, Sariyah teams up with her friends to piece together what happened. Life doesn’t pause for tragedy—her mother’s job loss and her little brother’s sickle cell complications weigh heavily on her, stretching her emotionally and financially. To keep everything afloat, Sariyah begins monetizing her unique ability, a risky move that might just bring her closer to finding Deja—or land her in the same peril her friend faced.

This book has a lot of suspense and it is well done. Not only does it have a great mystery element, but it also brings to light social justice issues. Deja is a Black girl, who has gone missing. Yet, her case does not get the same attention and amount of time in the spotlight as it would had had she been white. The author does this to bring light to how this happens in real life. If you stop and think about it, this happens in our real-world lives. How many times do you see a pretty white girl who has gone missing on the nightly news and the exhaustive efforts to find her? A lot, but you never see the same thing if that person is not pretty or white. Having this issue brought up in a young adult book will hopefully get more teens and people talking about this. That is the power of books. It makes people aware of issues that they may not be aware of or things that slip under the radar.

The suspense is there. Everything on the premises happens very early in the book. It’s spring break and a group of friends go to a music concert, then Deja disappears. While we are given a little bit of time to get to know our characters before all of this happens, it happens pretty quickly. I will say that the first half of the book is slower than the second half, but that is okay. It uses this time to build up the suspense and build the situation up. I think this was a great move. It allows us to become fully invested in the case before everything is revealed.

What I liked about the characters in this book is how much of an emphasis there was put on both friendship and family. We get to follow the characters through their day-to-day lives and see the role that family plays in their actions. We see how little details that did not mean much before all this unfolded are brought to life and how when something bad happens it shifts peoples’ views of one another. We see mental health, family issues, and people who are just trying to survive in this world. We also see how judgment can impact people. We see the loyalty come to life too.

Sariyah will stop at nothing to make sure that Deja comes home. She refuses to believe the worst. She does everything in her power to see her best friend come home. She turns to social media, takes the streets, and does her digging. She believes that people are not doing enough to see that her friend comes home. This loyalty is just not limited to Deja. Her family also gets this same treatment. Her little brother has sickle cell and Sariyah does everything and anything for him. Her mother has depression and it leaves her greatly hindered. Sariyah is a teen dealing with adult problems. However, she feels that she has to keep it together or it will all fall apart. She is the soul of her family and the caregiver. I liked seeing this. This is something that many teens are growing up with and this allows them to be seen. So many times in YA books, everything is great when it comes to home life. To see a different side makes this book all that much more realistic.

This was a great YA book. While not a five-star for me, I did enjoy it a lot. Fans of Holly Jackson and Karen M. McManus will devour this one.

This book comes out on February 4, 2025.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/uKJFUe5pBYw

I enjoyed this book way more than I expected. Initially picked it up because of this gorgeous cover and the story did not disappoint. I'm not a big fantasy reader yet the novel's added element of MC Sariyah having a gift of hearing people's needs made it so much more compelling. Honestly, I think the name of the book is also very clever and catchy.

The writing is gripping and kept me turning the pages. I'll admit that the first half was slow, but I genuinely could not put down my phone with the increased drama and pace of the second half. The characters and fleshed out very well and that makes for interesting relationships and banter that I enjoyed. As a POC, I could relate to many heavy conversations in the book, particularly because they were written in such a mature way that still makes sense from a teenager's perspective. The conclusion was not what I had seen coming so I loved it and I'm hopeful that there's more books to come in this series, fingers crossed. Needless to say, I will be reading anything written by this author.

A captivating YA mystery with a dash of fantasy and surprising twists! I loved this book for many reasons, especially how it shows the lengths people will go to prove their point. The ending was a real surprise and I appreciated that.

Channelle Desamours’ Needy Little Things is a bold and emotionally raw exploration of desire, vulnerability, and the complexities of human relationships. Desamours’ writing is sharp, compelling, and unflinchingly honest, capturing the messy, beautiful aspects of love and longing. With its gripping storyline and complex characters, this novel will leave you reflecting long after the final page. A must-read for fans of deep, provocative fiction.

I’m interested to see if there will be a follow-up to this novel based on the slight cliffhanger ending. At the same time I thought there was a previous novel that explained some of Sabriyah’s background. There were some references such as “gnats” and the Irvine brothers that I felt like I needed better reference to. Plus the side references that ended up being important seemed tacked on. I think the concept of a thriller with a missing girl whose disappearance doesn’t get the news it deserves due to her being a black girl was an important theme, and the idea that Sabriyah is kind of a medium but only for minor things seemed interesting. Overall I think it was a good story but could have been spread over two novels in a series as there was a lot of information covered.

I love love loved this book so much! I loved how Sariyah's power had realistic drawbacks (ADHD, her being a chronic people pleaser) because it fleshed out her character so much more and made her so relatable. I like how the side characters like Jude, Malcom, and even Deja all had their own "dark" pasts/desires. it's very rare when I can read a book and say that all the side characters have so much depth to them.

I also love how Sariyah was finally able to see the good in her gift by the end of the novel. Words can't even describe how incredible this book was, and how much it meant to me! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers for granting me with this ARC!

This book was so well done and had me hooked right from the start. I loved the premise of it and was so excited to see how this one worked out. It ended up being such an enjoyable read, and I had so much fun with it. Sariyah was such a great character. Her curse, or gift depending on who you ask, was well laid out and easily believable. Her struggles as a character were easily relatable, not only is she working through her gift, but she is a college student as well. As the story goes on she deals with so many tough things, and she does it remarkably well. She truly is a well thought out and developed young adult character. The pacing of the book is one that slowly builds as the book goes on. It doesn’t start slow slow, but it is on the more leisurely side, then as we move along, the pacing picks up and really gets going towards a nice ending. I was in disbelief with how this ended, it was just so good! I couldn’t believe it. It was well done and fit the story nicely.

If you’re looking for a YA Thriller featuring young adults, with a wonderful ending, then you need to check this one out.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Marten’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this story was unique. Sariyah is a girl who has been gifted (or cursed) with the ability to know what people’s needs are. Whether it’s a breath mint or a weapon, she knows and will develop headaches without those needs being fulfilled. Sariyah is also a girl whose best friend went missing a few years ago and when it seems like history is repeating itself she’s very determined to find another missing girl. There are a few character flaws and plot holes that had me second guessing my rating but I’m at odds with if it’s because I found it interesting or if I am lacking the empathy for these characters. When you read this book and get to that twist you’ll understand. There were more characters than I thought necessary and I didn’t LOVE that twist but overall I enjoyed this book.

Great novel! I love anything fast pace, so yes, I finished this book within a day in a half. lol I connected with the characters alot, the plot was moving, plus Ms. Desamours writing style is what I want more off!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Psssst. Channelle, come here. I won’t tell if you tell me, but is there another book? I neeeeeed to know Tessa’s story! Okay, thank you.

Now to the review. This was incredible! I couldn’t get enough. Sariyah’s gift is so unique and I love how much we got to see a flawed FMC, but also one so resilient. I absolutely loved her. I love their friendship dynamic between Deja, Malcom, Sariyah and Jude. This was so engrossing. From the very beginning, I fell in love with this story.

I think the way Channelle was able to create such whole characters was really beneficial. They were interesting and flawed, but you could see the growth as the story went on.

I think the twist was great! This is an immersive mystery with a magical realistic twist and you will not be able to put it down!

At my age, YA can sometimes feel a bit off-putting. While the protagonist sometimes gave me "middle schooler" vibes, the complexity of her life was anything but simple. In Needy Little Things, we meet Sariyah, and all I want to do is scream at her: "Trust no one!" Her life is a tangled mess of family drama, chronic migraines, and the aching absence of friends she deeply cares. The slow burn of twists and turns unfolds with each chapter, yet Sariyah remains no closer to uncovering the truth. Her best friend went missing at age 13, and five years later, another close friend suffers the same fate. Are they Black? Yes. Does this speak volumes about the lack of attention and action from the police? Absolutely.

Without spoiling too much, I will say the ending became predictable for me as I paid attention to the smaller details, even though Sariyah herself struggles to accept what’s right in front of her. How can she when she's juggling a gift she can't control, a sick brother, a depressed mother, a best friend who’s grieving for his twin sister, and a love interest?

In the end, I couldn’t help but feel empathy for Sariyah. People act without considering how their actions affect others, and that’s a recurring theme in the book. There’s change on the horizon, but at what cost? I wasn’t fond of the twist at the end. While I understand Malcolm’s pain, it just didn’t resonate with me the way he went about things but awareness for people color is so underdone.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!

Needy Little Things had A LOT of things going on and honestly I felt like it did the majority of them extremely well. The characters were complex, the emotions were coming through and the story had me on the edge of my seat from the minute it started. I absolutely loved the look at mental health, grief, family dynamics and the focus that missing white girls get as opposed to girls of color. Sariyah is a character that will stay with me for a long time. I did wish there was a little more exploration of the big reveal for the mystery. It was certainly a surprise and the red herrings peppered throughout the story were done SO WELL, but I just needed maybe a page or two more to really flesh it out. That ending though! My goodness, it was abrupt which I normally dislike, but the way it was done here, i physically GASPED at the last line. I highly recommend this book for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson’s novels and a little magical realism in your YA thrillers.
CW: confinement, grief, illness, mental illness, death, kidnapping

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

In her debut speculative YA mystery, Channelle Desamours introduces readers to Sariyah Lee Bryant, a Black teen with a unique gift—or a curse. Sariyah can sense what people need—small, tangible things like a pencil or phone charger. But when fulfilling a need for her friend Deja coincides with Deja’s sudden disappearance, Sariyah is thrust into a heart-pounding race to uncover the truth.

This isn’t the first time someone close to her has gone missing, and Sariyah is determined not to let Deja become another forgotten Black girl. With the police and media falling short, Sariyah and her friends take matters into their own hands. But as her mother’s job loss and her little brother’s health challenges pile on the pressure, Sariyah makes the risky decision to use her ability for cash—an act that could lead her to Deja but also put her in grave danger.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Atlanta, Needy Little Things excels in delivering both mystery and heartfelt emotion. As someone who lived in Atlanta for eight years, I adored the shoutouts to the city’s landmarks and culture, which brought the story to life and gave it an authentic, rooted feel.

Desamours has crafted a gripping narrative that skillfully blends suspense, social commentary, and speculative elements. Sariyah is a fiercely relatable protagonist, navigating the complexities of family, friendship, and systemic injustice, all while grappling with her own identity and powers.

If you’re looking for a book with high stakes, sharp twists, and a heartfelt exploration of resilience and community, Needy Little Things is a must-read. I can’t wait to see what Channelle Desamours writes next!

I orginal wanted to read this based on the gorgeous cover but wow this book was amazing I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
4.75 stars
Needy Little Things is a fun, magical, and thrilling read. Sariyah may seem like an everyday teen juggling school, friends, and responsibilities, but she's not. Sariyah has the gift of premonition - she knows what people need before they need it. However, her ability does not work on close family and friends, leaving her perplexed when it comes to understanding Deja's needs one final time. When the same friend Deja goes missing, Sariyah will do anything to find her even if it means putting her own life in jeopardy.
I really enjoyed this book. I found Sariyah to be a fascinating character- a typical teen navigating her place in the world while also grappling with how her gift fits into it. I loved the mystery aspect of the novel and how it sheds light on what it means to be Black and missing in America.

Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. So interesting! Sariyah has a talent to be able to hear what people need. Little things like gum or pepper spray. She has difficulty sensing her friends needs though. So she’s surprised when she senses Deja’s need. Then Deja disappears. Refusing to let Deja become another missing black girl statistic she is determined to find out what happened to her. But with her mother’s worsening depression and her brothers sickle cell she’ll have trouble balancing everything. Can she figure out what happened to Deja? Or will she end up putting herself in danger? I loved the mystery and how I didn’t see things coming! I loved all of the characters, they were all really likeable! An important read that highlights the lack of resources, awareness, and racism when it comes to missing black girls. Absolutely one to add to your TBR’s! Excited to read more from Channelle Desamours!

This book has a little bit of everything, and I loved it!

Sariyah has the ability to sense people's needs (except those she's closest to). So when she and her friends head to a music festival and Sariyah hears Deja's need for pepper spray, she's a little worried. Then Deja disappears, like Malcolm's sister did five years prior. Sariyah juggles her need fulfillment compulsion, her brother's sickle cell, her mother's depression, her best friend feeling some type of way because of Deja's disappearance, and a possible budding romance all on top of searching for clues to what happened to Deja.

Although there are a LOT of elements going on here, they're all balanced pretty well. The mystery part was twisty without being obvious. Ri was an incredibly relatable character, and I really liked the way the author handled how depression was portrayed. Most importantly, this book highlights the disparity in the way white missing kids are treated versus BIPOC kids. This is definitely going to be one of my go-to recommendations for YA thrillers, and I hope Desamours writes more!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I believe it has a slow start but I love that it touched on subjects such as the way black/browns missing children are treated. It’s something that needs to be spoken on more and fixed. It was definitely a plot twist I was not expecting and a great ending. Love that Tessa was able to give Sariyah a way to find her and give Malcolm and his family peace!

Needy Little Things is an engaging and relevant YA read about seventeen year old Sariyah who possesses a special "gift." The book deals with a variety of themes that makes it applicable to any reader. While this book is considered a thriller, I like that it also tackles social issues. I would recommend this book to any age.

Thank you Negalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.