In Needy Little Things Sariyah has a gift. She knows what other people need, and if she doesn't give it to them, it causes headaches. But while her power was a part of this story, it wasn't it's focus. Which is the thing I loved most about this story. Her power just leant a little bit of a mystical edge to an otherwise realistic mirror image of our world, where if a black girl goes missing- no one really cares if she's found.

We pick up 5 years after her childhood friend Tessa has disappeared, in a world that's gone on (as the world does) without her. Sariyah has more friends, and another one of them goes missing. This time it happens practically right in front of her eyes, in the middle of a music festival. The rest of the story plays out well, with enough red herrings to keep you interested, and lands on a genuinely surprising end. I'm typically a "guess the murderer" kind of girl when i read a mystery and I genuinely didn't catch on to the true story till it was revealed.

Overall I found this to be a fun fast read, that kept me on my toes, i just wish we'd gotten to know OFFICIALLY what happened to Tessa.

This is truly an original story!

I was fascinated immediately by the main character’s abilities and personality. She “hears” what people need before they even know they need it, and her need is to give them what they need. So fun!

I love that it’s a mystery, but also a great friendship story. It has a little bit of romance and family drama as well.

I thought the character building was great!

I’m not a huge fan of YA, but the author did a pretty good job of not making the characters feel young and immature.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a captivating young adult fantasy novel that immediately drew me in.

3.5 stars.

Needy Little Things is definitely a solid debut novel that shines light on a very important and timely topic. I really appreciated the focus on how the cases of missing girls are handled by the police and public/media and the difference in case recognition and resources for missing girls when they're white vs. Black --- this is an incredibly important topic of discussion and there are huge differences in how cases are handled based on a person's skin color and I think it's very important that we continue to shine a light on that until things actually change.

Sariyah was definitely an interesting main character to follow and I thought the concept of her being able to hear people's needs and help fulfill them with her Santa Bag as much as she could was really interesting. The exploration of the fear, guilt and anxiety surrounding that was also really interesting.

The grief and pain that Sariyah and Malcom feel over Tess' disappearance 5 years later is palpable through the page and my heart really broke for them. I enjoyed the way the mystery around Deja's disappearance unfolded and I will say that the twist really did surprise me. I liked the focus on Sariyah's family and the discussion around her mother's depression and her depressive episodes. While I can't speak to how the situation was handled as I don't have first hand experience, to me, it felt like these things were handled truthfully and with respect to the complexity of the situation.

Truthfully, I couldn't done without the side romance, I don't really think it added anything to the plot. While there was a lot that I enjoyed about this book, it failed to **really** grip me. I cared about these characters, felt for them and wanted them to find justice, and while I felt from the characters, I felt a little disconnected from them However, I acknowledge that as I am not a Black woman, I can't connect to what they were experiencing beyond feeling outraged at the injustice of our current societal and political climate. I think that Channelle Desamours has a very strong and clear voice, and I looking forward to reading more from her!

Also, the ending? That got me and I immediately went to check if this was a series. It doesn't say that it is, but Channelle...I would absolutely read a sequel, just throwing that out there!

Sariyah hears what people need. It takes over everything in her head and doesn't let go until she gives them whatever tangible thing they need. It's making school hard and jeopardizing her future, but her closest friends understand and support her. Until a tragedy happens and one of those friends disappears, mirroring the disappearance of her best friend 5 years ago and spiraling into chaos.

Sariyah's emotions practically bleed off the page. You get dragged into her mind and heart in a way that makes it impossible to escape because you need to know that everything works out for her. I spent a big part of the book wanting to hug her and her friends. Even after I figured out what was really going on, I felt like what those kids needed the most was a hug and someone to listen to them.

And even the big twist, most of which I'd already figured out, turned out to not entirely be what I was expecting. There are some pulse-pounding moments towards the end that make an excellent balance to the slow unraveling that precedes them.

Be warned that the many difficult topics the story touches on may be difficult for some readers. It's a very socially conscious story that does not pull punches.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the moving read!

I loved everything about this book

The fleshy and diverse cast of characters.
The well-paced, twisty and grippy plot.
The whole-chest social commentary.
The needs and gnats fabulism.
Even the cover is stunning.

The only thing I’m pissy about, is this author’s lack of back catalogue.

Can’t wait to get this book into my patrons’ hands…and for book two.

Needy Little Things is a YA debut thriller that focuses on the life of Sariyah Lee Bryant, a Black teen who has the ability to sense what items the people around her need. This inherent gift, one her grandmother also possessed, feels more like a responsibility and weight that she must carry instead. Often overwhelmed by all the needs around her, she makes it a habit to carry around a “Santa bag” of trinkets and finds ways to discreetly give people the items that she senses. But when one item inadvertently causes a tragedy, Sariyah begins to doubt herself. At what point do her gifts become catalysts for something else? As she battles these thoughts and tries to quiet her mind, she also faces situations at home regarding her brother’s health and her mother’s sudden loss of a job. And when one of her best friends disappears, Sariyah and her friends must decide whether they should take matters into their own hands and investigate, before another Black girl is lost and forgotten. Should she use her gift, even when she worries that it could cause more trouble?

This YA debut brings to the forefront the societal issue of missing Black girls and how their disappearances are often underrepresented in the media and quickly forgotten, a stark difference compared to the media coverage of their white counterparts. It also highlights complex family dynamics, as Sariyah often must step in as a caretaker for her younger brother, who has sickle cell disease, and help to provide for her family when her mother loses her job. The magical realism of Sariyah’s ability blends well into the storyline, along with the thoughts she has regarding that ability. Her friendships and thoughts about her future after high school are relatable to the reader, as well as the discussions regarding mental health.

This was a quick-paced YA thriller, and does throw a few twists in towards the end. The conclusion wraps up nicely, with a few minor details left to the reader’s imagination. I definitely recommend this book for teens and adults.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this eARC, in exchange for my honest review.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a beautifully written novel that dives into the complexities of human relationships. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with the author skillfully exploring their psychological and emotional depths. The themes of love, loneliness, and self-discovery are central to the story, making it a thought-provoking read.

The author also delves into heavy topics, such as the differences in how law enforcement handles cases based on race and financial backgrounds, adding depth and relevance to the narrative.

The protagonist, Sariyah, has a unique talent for hearing people’s tangible needs and providing them. When her friend goes missing, the story takes a turn, focusing on how Sariyah's abilities can help her find her friend. The narrative explores what she could have done differently along the way, with the help of her abilities and friends, while handling difficult life challenges.

Overall, Needy Little Things is a captivating and introspective novel that resonates with readers on a profound level. It's a testament to Channelle Desamours' talent and a worthwhile read for those who enjoy character-driven narratives. Thank you to NetGalley and Channelle’s publication for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publishers, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest and genuine review.

Wow, what a fantastic story! This read kept me up well into the early hours of the morning! It had me on the edge of my seat, whether I was at the chair or in bed while reading! I love a good thriller, and this book exceeded all my expectations! The main character, Sariyah, is someone everyone should have on their side. She's resilient, funny, witty, and strong!

This is an impressive debut novel! I'm excited to see more from this author!

This was a thought provoking, engaging story that tackled so many relatable issues in a thrilling way. I truly understand how Sariyah can view her gift as a curse. Loved seeing her navigate the use of her gift and the many twists and turns that came with doing that. This had such a satisfying ending! thank you for the ARC!

I saw the cover of this book and had to read it and I am glad I did! Needy Little Things discusses sensitive topics like sickle cell, depression and the lack of awareness when it comes to Black girls missing.

This thriller will have you guessing everyone Sariyah comes in contact with! The twist a the end had my jaw dropping!


Thank you netgalley for my ebook arc!

This is a debut novel I picked up because it is about a girl with a unique ability I found intriguing. It's a YA novel and the author is a high school science teacher.

Description:
Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear what people need—tangible things, like a pencil, a hair tie, a phone charger—an ability only her family and her best friend, Malcolm, know the truth about. But when she fulfills a need for her friend Deja who vanishes shortly after, Sariyah is left wondering if her ability is more curse than gift. This isn’t the first time one of her friends has landed on the missing persons list, and she’s determined not to let her become yet another forgotten Black girl.

Not trusting the police and media to do enough on their own, Sariyah and her friends work together to figure out what led to Deja’s disappearance. But when Sariyah’s mother loses her job and her little brother faces complications with his sickle cell disease, managing her time, money, and emotions seems impossible. Desperate, Sariyah decides to hustle her need-sensing ability for cash—a choice that may not only lead her to Deja, but put her in the same danger Deja found herself in.

My Thoughts:
I liked the character Sariyah, but her ability would drive me nuts if I had it. It certainly would be a tremendous distraction to focusing on anything. It was fun following the friends' investigation of what happened to their friend. The book drove home the point that police treat missing teens differently depending on the color of their skin and their family's status. The read was both engaging and thought-provoking. A really good debut Channelle Desamours!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.

A YA novel about a girl and her fluke power to know what people need which both helps, and hurts, in solving her best friends’ disappearance. A creatively written plot, full of details and hints to guide you along, Makes this is a great read for fans of YA novels.

What do you do when life is hard every way you look? You try to do something to make it better, but does it? And what about those secrets that people are keeping from you?
Sariyah is working so hard to keep everything together with her friends, her family, her schoolwork, etc. Sometimes she is a little short sighted and a little self absorbed, but so are those around her. The portrayal of teens trying to grapple with big difficult traumatic issues while also trying to be teenagers is good. I also really liked that the parents were there are flawed. They learn things alongside the kids. I think that makes the book feel more realistic.
Sariyah's special abilities with knowing what people need is well done. We see it affecting so many parts of her life, but it doesn't take over the book. So this is a good mystery/thriller with just a bit of magical realism.
I enjoyed the characters and the investigation and the resolution.

The story focuses on Sariyah and topics that include missing kids, mental health, drug abuse, and racial equality. Sariyah has an interesting gift of knowing what people need and tends to fill the quests as best as possible. Throughout the story, it starts to take a toll on her when the things she's providing for people turn out to be the thing that harms others. One of those items became the cannon event towards her missing friend who disappeared at a music festival.

I appreciate how the author introduced each topic without forcing the issue. Desamours blended everything she wanted to make light of and made it sound natural. While the story did become slow at times, the climax and ending were all worth it.

Needy Little Things is a teen mystery with elements of fantasy. Sariyah Lee Bryant has a unique ability to know what people need. Packing her “Santa Bag”, Sariyah hands out simple items that seem to help people in someway. But sometimes things happen that seem bad after Sariyah fulfills a need like her friend disappearing from a festival. This isn’t the first of her friends that disappear, leaving Sariyah and her friends to wonder if skin color affects the coverage. Dealing with family issues, Sariyah must decide what her gift means to her and others as she tries to find her missing friend. Sariyah is a neat character and her abilities build her up to someone the reader can empathize with and want to know. The mystery threw in the little twists that keep things interesting for a storyline I would gladly revisit if it becomes a series. This is a solid and enjoyable debut novel from a new author I would read more from. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a really compelling, fast-paced, timely tale. I liked the characters and the twists kept me guessing. I didn't figure out exactly where it was going until it got there. Some of the red herrings felt unnecessary, but I enjoyed the story as a whole. The ending felt like a punch to the gut - in a good way.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I loved this genre-bending debut YA! It is so well-constructed and the writing style is so good that I would never have guessed this was a debut novel. Part magical realism, part mystery, part suspense, part thriller, with a sprinkling of sweet romance, Needy Little Things is one of the best YAs I've read in the last year. I will absolutely be recommending it to my friends and followers, and look forward to following this new author's career and reading her future novels.

Needy Little Things is the story of Sariyah Lee Bryant, a senior in high school who has an inherited premonition-like sixth sense. She hears voices from every person within a certain proximity of her physical location. The voices repeat over and over a physical item the person is going to need in the future. The items are small, seemingly innocuous, things that you would often find in someone's pocket or purse, like paper clips, band aids, hair ties, chapstick, kleenex. The only thing that Sariyah doesn't know is when the item will be used or why the person will need it.

Warned by her family that her supernatural gift can be dangerous and that she shouldn't speak of it or use it, Sariyah is unable to resist the desperation of the voices in her head that are nearly torturous when she is around other people. Because the voices do not quiet until she gifts the items needed, her gift giving becomes a compulsion, and it is getting worse as she gets older. Now she is struggling to maintain her grades, relationships with her family and friends, and her own sanity.

When one of her best friends disappears without a trace from a music festival in Atlanta, Sariyah is determined to solve the mystery before it's too late, and another Black girl is lost to time and community consciousness.

This novel contemplates and explores the butterfly effect in a truly unique way and through a number of character's eyes. It also explores a number of themes including the true meaning of family, desire for independence, the power of community, and racial and social inequity.

To begin, I would like to thank St. Martin's Press|Wednesday Books and Channelle Desamours for allowing me to read this book, Needy Little Things, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

This Young Adult Mystery kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last, and I absolutely gobbled it up in just a few hours.

The story follows seventeen-year-old Sariyah, who has a unique gift: she can physically hear people's needs, sometimes even before the need arrives. If she doesn't fulfill the need, it gets louder until she gets a migraine. That's just one person's needs, though, and depending on where she is, she can hear up to dozens all at once. This makes all relationships she engages in on a daily basis difficult to maintain and attend to fully, but, ironically, she can't hear the needs of those she is closest with: her family and her best friend, Malcolm. She can, though, hear her closest female friend, Deja's, needs.

Before Malcolm became her number one, his twin sister, Tessa, was Sariyah's very best friend. They were inseparable until she disappeared five years prior. When the same thing happens to Deja in the present, Sariyah is unsure if her ability is a blessing or a curse. Since she and Malcolm know all too well what happens when girls of color go missing, though, she's determined to use whatever she can to find Deja before it's too late.

I easily gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The author finds a way to make Sariyah's uniqueness make her shine while also shedding light on a very real problem in American culture: People of Color who go missing are not as likely to be find as affluent, white people. When this book arrives on shelves on February 04, make sure not to pass it up.

#brenbreathesbooks #brenreviewsbooks #youngadult #mystery #netgalleyreviewer #ARC #readerlife #realworldproblems #channelledesamours #5starreads #bookish #bookworm #foodforthought

4.5/5 ⭐️

“…needy little things can’t be choosers.”

This was such a unique mystery, with the magical realism perfectly blended in to heighten the story.

Sariyah can hear people’s needs, which is not the blessing most think it is. Her gift didn’t work the way I expected and caused her a lot of hardship, which made it interesting to read about. And the ways it’s used to provide clues for the mystery were so clever.

The mystery itself was just complex enough, with multiple threads to pull on to keep me guessing about what was going on. I didn’t figure it out!

This book also makes important statements about how POC are at a huge disadvantage when bad things happen to them, both from the legal/police side and just getting people to care. This is a really important thing for everyone to be aware of, especially now, and we all need to keep evaluating our internal biases.

The one thing with respect to the above that I thought was missing was some discussion of the sort of “tragedy overload” that the internet can cause. We’re all exposed to terrible things happening to people all over the world and it’s impossible to care about them all. Again I know it’s important with that that we’re just evaluating our internal biases, but it’s something I would’ve been interested to see how the characters would address it.

Overall this is a fantastic mystery with a great touch of magical realism, POC characters who are really complex, and important social commentary to make.

Thanks to the publisher for the early copy.