4.5 stars rounded up.
I absolutely loved this book. I was invested from the beginning, and it was a pretty quick read for me.
I would describe it as magical realism and it has lots of other elements that I like. YA, sort of coming of age, the lightest sprinkle of romance and reads like a thriller. With all of this being said, it didn't feel like a "kitchen sink" situation, everything was balanced.
It would have been an easy 5 star for me, but the end felt slightly rushed.

This was a thrilling and an exciting read. there was legit never a dull or boring moment. this is gripping ya thriller that i just couldn't put down. i devoured every bit of it. wow... i just can't stop thinking about this book. my mind has officially been blown

If it’s one thing this book has taught me, it’s that people will go to extreme measures to make points. This book was a bit slow and confusing for me at first. It took a while for things to pick up and become more concise. But once it did, it kept my interest the entire time. I had to remind myself to pace myself so I didn’t miss anything or skim past important details. Black women, men, and children go missing ever too often and fall under the radar. Studies show that they are mentioned unless they are menaces to society. Their stories and voices matter just as much as anyone else’s. No matter what.

Needy Little Things uses the perfect YA formula: Suspense, powers, and a twist!

The premise is creative, but the best thing about this book is that the mystery is paced well. It keeps the reader guessing, and I felt compelled to figure it out right along with Sariyah.

The only case left to be cracked is will there be a sequel?!

ARC provided by NetGalley! :)

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a thrilling YA novel that hooks you from the first page. The story of Sariyah's unique gift and the disappearance of her friend Deja will keep you on the edge of your seat. Desamours weaves a tale full of unexpected twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end. Beyond the suspense, the book also sheds light on important social issues, particularly the disparities in media coverage of missing Black girls. While the novel covers a lot of ground in just 320 pages, a few more chapters could have delved deeper into its themes. Overall, a gripping read that I won't hesitate to recommend to others.

I really enjoyed this book, I like the twist on her powers and how they affected her body. I was not expecting the polt twist at the end with her friends it gives off the you truly don't know who you are friends with. But the biggest message I got was clear and I think so many people especually young kids need to read this. Thank I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you for this ARC! I definitely enjoyed and knew I would from the beginning because it pulled me in from the start. Definitely a great YA novel and I know so many will enjoy it as well . I did find myself asking why towards the end and the wrap up of it all wasn’t my fav but the entire book was a good time nonetheless all the way through.

Thank You NetGalley for the arc. Needy Little Things was an enjoyable YA Thriller. I enjoyed the friend group of the main characters.
The book was very slow to start bur the 2nd half was at a better pace.
Not bad overall

Fantastic read beginning to end. Very emotional. The writing is great! I cried several times. Fear, sadness, happiness, anger. It’s eye-opening and a reality check of the racial disparities in our country about who gets national attention when it comes to missing people.. Great character development, great plot, I did have to take breaks from reading because of the different situations that had me on an emotional roller coaster but I loved that! It’s nice to glimpse the life of teen and see they go through things and should be able to speaks to their truths without not be judged. 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Great read for teens and adults.

Desamours's NEEDY LITTLE THINGS is such a wonderful speculative thriller—the plot is nonstop, the characters dynamic and deeply sympathetic, and the message relevant and timely. A debut to watch!

In this gripping YA mystery, Sariyah has the power to sense what people need, but when her friend Deja goes missing after she helps her, Sariyah starts to question if her gift is more of a curse. Determined to find Deja and not let her be another forgotten Black girl, Sariyah teams up with friends to solve the mystery, even if it means putting herself in danger. Needy Little Things is a powerful story full of twists, emotions, and unforgettable characters.

Cover is to die for , i connected to the characters and fell for them. the evolution of the story was great and I'd read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books for this ARC! *Needy Little Things* by Channeled Desamours is a captivating exploration of human desire and the complexities of relationships. The narrative is deeply introspective, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the vulnerabilities that drive people to seek comfort in the wrong places. Desamours’ writing is both lyrical and poignant, capturing the emotional turmoil of the characters with authenticity. The story’s intensity is balanced with moments of quiet reflection, making it a thought-provoking read. Overall, *Needy Little Things* is a powerful, evocative novel that lingers in the mind long after the last page is turned.

Needy little things is about a girl who has the power to sense people’s needs. Gum, pepper spray, you name it. When her friend disappears, it’s a race against time to solve the mystery before she finds herself in danger.

First of all: thank you for letting me read this book NetGalley. It was “wow, omg, what?, ohhhh, OMG”

The message in this book was so impactful and a bit sad because sometimes it’s our reality but it was a really good book with amazing suspense and characters. I laughed and I might’ve teared up so this book deserves all the stars from me.

More on Goodreads.

In Channelle Desamours’ YA thriller, Needy Little Things, Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear people’s needs and feels compelled to fulfill them. However, two recent fulfillments lead to unexpected events, including someone getting stabbed and her best friend going missing. This is particularly concerning as it is the second friend she has lost in five years.

One major theme is media bias and the disparity in reporting and sharing information about missing persons of color. The story also explores mental illness and how Sariyah, burdened by her need to satisfy others, struggles to understand what she wants and how to care for herself.

I enjoyed the book overall, though my only criticism is that the subplot involving Deja’s mother wasn’t developed enough to be truly significant. The story featured believable teenage characters with nuanced personalities—none were perfect. The twists kept me engaged, and even though I anticipated some plot developments, Desamours concluded with another twist, leaving me hopeful for answers in a potential sequel.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesdays Books for an advanced reader copy.

#NeedyLittleThings #NetGalley

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a truly incredible read. This story has a little bit of everything, but it is written in a way that big impacts are felt. The abilities, the mystery, the injustice, and the romance all work beautifully together to create a powerful story.

*Needy Little Things* by Channelle Desamours is a captivating YA thriller with a unique premise and engaging storytelling. The protagonist, Sariyah Lee Bryant, a Black teen with the ability to sense people's needs, is thrust into a suspenseful quest when her friend Deja goes missing. This ability, initially a gift and a curse, becomes central to uncovering the truth behind Deja's disappearance.

The book starts off a bit slow, but the suspense and unexpected twists in the latter half transform it into an unputdownable page-turner. Desamours weaves in social commentary on racial injustice and the media's neglect of missing Black girls, adding depth to Sariyah’s journey.

The story's climax is intense and satisfying, with the plot’s various elements coming together effectively. Though some side characters and plot points felt underdeveloped, Sariyah’s journey and the book’s heartfelt storytelling make it a standout read.

A solid 4-star recommendation for fans of mystery, suspense, and compelling YA narratives. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Stars Thank You NetGalley for the arc. Needy Little Things was an enjoyable YA Thriller. I enjoyed the friend group of the main characters. I also like the Sickle Cell Disease representation and how it was more than a mention on the page. It took some time to flesh out the main plot and even though I figured out the twist, it was still a good book.

The beginning of this book was very slow but once you get to the second half, it becomes fast paced. I thought this book was well rounded and had a great twist. The main character has a very interesting ability that found to be original and unique from other books I have read.

Book:
NEEDY LITTLE THINGS by Channelle Desamours
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc (Feb 4, 2025)

Review:
4⭐
NEEDY LITTLE THINGS follow Sariyah, who is able to sense what people need. After sensing something her friend needs, she's worried. When her friend disappears, she does everything she can to bring her friend home.
I was super intrigued by the premise of this story: a girl who can sense what people need. That was very unique, and I loved how the author wove that with the missing person aspect to really round this story out.
NEEDY LITTLE THINGS started slow, but the pace really picked up in the second half. When I tell you that I binged the second half of the book in a few hours---everything started happening, the craziness picked up, and then the big reveal. I did call it, but I was hoping I'd be wrong because that was so twisted. And that ending. I'm gonna need a sequel or something to clear that up.