Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a gripping blend of mystery, supernatural ability, and social commentary. Sariyah Lee Bryant has always used her unique gift—sensing people’s tangible needs—to help those around her. But when her friend Deja vanishes after Sariyah fulfills a request, she’s forced to question whether her power is more of a curse. Determined not to let Deja become another forgotten Black girl, Sariyah takes the investigation into her own hands. But as family struggles mount, she begins hustling her gift for cash—a decision that might lead her to Deja or straight into danger herself.

Desamours masterfully weaves suspense with real-world issues, making this more than just a mystery—it’s a powerful reflection on community, resilience, and the systemic neglect of missing Black girls. The pacing is solid, the stakes are high, and Sariyah’s voice is raw and compelling. While the supernatural element sometimes takes a backseat to the real-life struggles, the novel’s emotional depth and urgency make it a must-read. Fans of Monday’s Not Coming and Allegedly will find a lot to love here.

Thank You @Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my review copies.

The story did start off painful slow and I wasn't sure if I was going to continue with the book, but I'm glad I did but the last half of the book was wild and I didn't see that one twist at ALL! Stunned I tell ya!! The narrator Alaska Jackson did a great job with the story as well.

Story 3.5 stars
Narration 4 stars

4/5⭐️ A debut author…this was an interesting read following a young woman Sariyah and her gift of being able tell what a person needs. And when her friend goes missing now she must find her and secrets are revealed! This book explores not only the magic but racism, injustice and mental health issues within families and how that can affect other members in the family but the person who’s actually going through it themselves. It definitely all came together in the end and that’s what I like! Give me a beginning, middle and end story and that’s it! Well done!

I don’t really read much YA these days, and the ones I do read, I’m pretty picky about. (Zero shade to anyone who loves it!) I am a sucker for magical realism though, and the premise of this book had me hooked!

Our protagonist has what could be considered a gift or a curse, depending on the day. She can sense what little things other people need and spends her days fulfilling those needs, not really knowing a lot of the time how she’s impacting the people around her. But when the whole world seems to be collapsing around her, she’s uses that gift in a variety of ways she never saw coming.

Some things I enjoyed about the book:

🎧 There is a huge focus on missing people, and the disparity in resources and focus when it comes to trying to find them, particularly regarding race.

💼 There are a variety of social, medical, and mental health issues addressed in the book. We see how these impact families in their everyday lives. Some of these include chronic illness, depression, drug/alcohol impacts, complicated family dynamics, the cost of health care, and long term grief.

🎧 The characters had depth and layers to them, which I definitely always appreciate. They often made dumb decisions, but those dumb decisions felt realistic to the age and experience they each have had.

💼 The magical realism element of the main character’s fulfillment of needs was unique and intriguing. And it was also interesting to see how she acted as a carer both with her gifts and just generally in her life. She constantly put others above her own self, and I think that’s why the very last page was as shocking as it was. Normally I don’t love an abrupt ending, but this one felt fitting!


If you enjoy YA, magical realism, and mysteries, this is the book for you!

Read If You Like:
🎧 Young Adult Mysteries
🎧 Disability and Black Character Identities
🎧 Supernatural/ Magical Realism Vibes
🎧 Social Narratives
🎧 Racial Injustice and Media Bias Discussions
🎧 Missing Persons Cases

In her debut novel, *Needy Little Things*, Channelle Desamours absolutely crushed it! This story centers around Sariyah, a high school senior endowed with a unique ability: she can sense the tangible needs whether they are aware of the need or not of those around her. This gift, is something she tried to hide and to not act on, but if she doesn’t the needs start to overwhelm her forcing her to comply.

Early in the book we learn about her best friend Malcom’s twin sister who went missing years prior and was never found, and now it appears history is repeating itself when her friend Deja disappears shortly after Sariyah fulfills a need for her of pepper spray at a music festival they attend together at the start of the story.

Determined not to let Deja become another overlooked missing Black girl, Sariyah, along with her friends, embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and to try to use sosical media to help bring awareness.

The story delves deep into pressing societal issues, notably the disparity in media attention between missing persons cases involving white individuals versus those involving people of color. Which is so timely in today’s world with the continued progress towards disbanding DEI efforts in America.

Needy Little Things is a truly well done debut that offers a a lot of important social commentary with the mix of supernatural alongside the mystery.

Thank you so much to Wednesday books for my ARC and my finished copy and to Macmillan audio for my gifted ALC!

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. I was once again playing detective trying to fit the pieces together to find out what happened to Deja I suspected everyone and their mama and I was wrong! I’m still in shock after finishing this book and that just lets me know that this mystery/ thriller was done right!

This book was wild. I can’t wait for the sequel. The concept of hearing what people think sounds cliche but I appreciate how this is reimagined. It feels fresh and untold. Also, focusing on missing Black girls seems so timely. The twists the story took were exciting and had you think one thing was happening but it wasn’t but then maybe it was, partially. I’ve never read anything like this before and I loved it.

This captivating and thought-provoking novel will undoubtedly appeal to young adult readers who are drawn to mystery and speculative fiction, especially those who enjoy stories that feature resilient and determined Black protagonists. These characters navigate a myriad of challenges, including intricate social issues, family conflicts, and the unwavering strength of female friendships when confronted with adversity.

The book delves into the complexities of societal expectations and the courage it takes to challenge them. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where the protagonist's determination and resilience shine through, inspiring them to confront their own obstacles and celebrate the power of friendship. The speculative elements woven into the narrative add an extra layer of intrigue, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the mysteries that lie within the story.

This was such a powerful read. Sariyah is a high school student who can hear the needs of others. To celebrate Malcom’s 18th birthday, they all go to a festival and one of their friends, Deja, goes missing.

This book covers so many topics- mental health, disability, the uneven balance of time and resources for a white victim vs a black victim, and friendship.
I absolutely adored this book and felt so many emotions while reading it.
This debut novel was published earlier this week and I definitely recommend picking up a copy.

Sariyah has a very unique power - she hears what people need whether it’s gum or a knife and she feels compelled to provide it. While at a music concert, she hears her friend Deja’s need for pepper spray. Shortly after, while Sariyah is looking away, Deja disappears. The police assume she’s just another run away but, given her need, Sariyah is not so sure and is determined to find her.

Needy Little Things is a very compelling and nigh unputdownable novel by Channelle Desamours which combines a well-plotted mystery with paranormal elements and social commentary and she blends them all seamlessly. It starts out at a fairly even pace as we meet Sariyah and her friends and family and we learn their backstories but the pace quickly picks up and never lets go until the end. It’s aimed at a YA audience but, as someone way outside this demographic, I can confidently say that it can also be enjoyed by adults. I would add, though, that parts of it may be too violent for young children. A definite high recommendation from me and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.

This is such a fun, fast paced YA thriller. I was so eager to learn how it was all going to end. It was hard to put down and I really loved the story and characters.

There's nothing quite like the running thrill of red herrings and piecing together clues to finally unmask the culprit—or culprits. I was so convinced that I knew what was going on, and then that twist hit, just completely blew my expectations. I did not see it coming, and that is precisely what makes a mystery great.

This is a very suspenseful novel, yet it felt like a realistic portrayal of teenage life: extreme highs and lows with friends, family dynamics, the battle of balancing school with an invisible disability. Here, of course, the layer added by the protagonist's ability to hear unspoken needs only made the story more interesting. And honestly, sometimes headphones really are the best way to block out the noise, both inside and out.

I loved the characters, the book, and can't wait to read more by this author.

I loved this book! I am pleased to say this book was beautifully written. If you are a Tiffany D. Jackson fan you will absolutley love this one. This YA book brought me back to my young years, Chef's kiss.

Mystery • Intuition • Neurodivergence • YA
Published • 4 February 2025

‧₊˚🎧⊹ Thank you @macmillan.audio and @wednesdaybooks for the ALC and digital book!

Sariyah is a “needs-hustler”. This means when she is near someone, she can sense the object they will need most next. It’s an odd superpower - a blessing and a curse.

Sariyah cannot be in crowded areas, even a school gymnasium, without sensory overload from various people’s needs overstimulating her brain. I appreciated how this sixth sense manifests similarly to neurodivergence.

The book’s central plot is a mystery about a missing black teen. Deja’s disappearance isn’t getting nearly as much press coverage as the white girl who went missing earlier, but Sariyah isn’t going to let her best friend become another statistic.

In the backdrop, Sariyah is really going through it, juggling school, a part-time job, and a budding romance. Her mother is suffering from mental health issues, while her dad lives hours away.

She’s also caretaking for her younger brother who has sickle-cell, a disease that does not get a lot of attention. One of my childhood best friends lived with sickle cell without most people ever knowing.

This book really gives a lot to think about in many dimensions, not the least of which is friendship. One thing that made me uncomfortable that I haven’t reconciled yet is the somewhat casual use of drugs.

·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ Final thought: I would have loved to have had had books with this kind of representation when I was a young adult. Even now solidly in middle age, I still appreciated this book’s perspectives!

Excellent debut from Channelle Desamours.
‧₊˚🎧⊹ Narration of the audiobook by Alaska Jackson was well done capturing the teen lingo and slang.

TW: Drug Use, Kidnapping, Assault

Wow!!! This was such a ride and I was buckled in TIGHT. I loved this book. I loved the way Sariyah uses her gift and grapples with the consequences of her actions. I loved seeing her interactions with her family and friends. Honestly my only complaint is that this book wasn’t long enough. I am on the edge of my seat to learn more about these characters. Especially with that ending! I loved the way the book didn’t shy away from tackling such huge themes in a way that was easily obtainable and necessary in this current political climate. The way the characters spoke was so familiar and realistic. I loved the humor sprinkled in. I can’t stop raving but you need to read this book!

Needy Little Things is a debut novel that does not disappoint. This YA mystery follows a black teen who has premonition-like powers and ends up having to solve her friend's disapperance before she ends up in danger. I was captivated from the first page. The author did a great job writing this and I was turning pages until the end. All of the characters in this were so good and I liked the premonition like powers in this. I highly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend this to any young adults or readers who like mysteries. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours.

“ My mind is an endless loop of the immediate or future needs of the people around me. Tangible, everyday items... usually. Intrusive thoughts that pester me relentlessly until (a) I fulfill the needs, (b) they meld into a crippling migraine, or (c) the person with the need moves out of range of the anomaly that is my brain-a range that I have determined to be twenty-one feet, three inches”.

Sariyah is not your average high school senior. She has great friends and an ok part time job, but unlike everyone else, she can sense the needs of those around her and is bound to fulfill their needs. When news of yet another missing girl breaks, it shatters Sariyah because this time, the missing girl is her best friend. Will Sariyah’s unique ability be enough to save her friend or will it get in her own way?

Chantelle Desamours authored a creative and compelling story line. The composition of premonition powers and a push for social justice reform makes for the perfect YA novel that captures the reader and allows for them to reflect on society and its inequalities.

I just finished Needy little things by Channelle Desamours and here is my review.

Imagine having the power of premonition.. Now understand that it comes in a way where the thing a person needs but they don’t know it yet, fills your mind all day like an itch on your brain….

This is what happens to Sariyah… When one of her friends disappears while at a music festival, she cannot leave the police to try and find her because black girls don’t get the coverage white girls do. She doesn’t want to use her gift to make money but that's where she finds herself. Her home life is a mess but finding her friend, after another friend went missing years ago without a trace, weighs heavily on her but will it lead her into the same danger her friend is now in?

One of the best debut novels I have ever read. YEEHAWW I was sucked right into this magical realism book and it spat me out the other end satisfied. I listened to and read the book as well. The narration is BRILLIANT!!!

I was drawn right into the mystery of what happened to her friend and I had so many questions about her gift!!! Did she get it because her grandma died before she was born or was she always gonna have the gift? Magical realism books often answer these kinds of questions but I can’t help thinking them haha

I loved Sariyah! Her whole persona was epic! Her parents are together but living apart because her little brother is sick and needs to be by the hospital but her dad makes more money further away and her mama is depressed so badly she is often left to mother her little bro. It’s a big mess but she has a tight knit friend group and when one goes missing, it is devastating.

The book highlights the point that POC tend to not get the same resources used on them and they are not wrong. I’ve seen it first hand here in Canada with indigenous girls. The reason why she goes missing was brilliant to be honest but the twist at the end was worth it.. Bit of a weird ending to be honest but it sure was different. It was a unique read for sure.

I will definitely be on the lookout for the author's next book. Highly recommend the audiobook!

4.5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy and @macmillanaudio for my ALC

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I was so excited to read Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours.
A compelling YA mystery debut.
This is everything I had hoped for and more. I loved this book from beginning to end. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to everyone.