I need a stronger word than “perfection” to describe this book. What a true delight this book was! Brimming with sweet and solemn moments that I couldn’t get enough of.

I really enjoyed this YA romance. I think the LGBTQIA+ representation was well-done, especially as it was not a story about coming out or discrimination like many books are. The author paced the story well, so that the enemies to lovers trope was believable, There was a large cast of characters but the author did a great job of making each one unique and believable. My only criticism is that I wanted there to be a twist at the end of the mystery about who was sabotaging the theater.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story, and the plot was fun and easy to engage with. I do wish that the author had leaned more into the enemies to lovers dynamic by showing us some of their academic rivalry.

So they're rivals, but we never really see that on the page. And they're in academic competition for college, but it takes place during the summer. There wasn't really any chemistry between Rochelle and Amira, which unfortunately means there was nothing to save this book from the stupid movie prankster plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins for allowing me to read this book!

I thought this an adorable book! YA romance is a genre I do not have great experience with, particularly contemporary. I at times struggle to feel the connection between characters, or find myself too buried in emotions to contemplate much else other than the angst. However, If We Were A Movie was filled with heart and hope enough that I found myself enjoying very much.

There are, of course, emotional aspects of the book, with Rochelle's deceased father, her reasons for the why of college, her realization about never being a teen again, Rochelle's conversations with her mother, and Rochelle's social struggles. She is incredibly relatable, and any teen with anxiety, romantic or social struggles, ambition, or even just with a job? can understand depth of her feelings.

Funnily enough, I was telling myself how relieved I was that there was no third act troubles, just as they happened. But that is the genre, and I think the way it was handled felt mature enough and true to both characters.

4.5⭐️
This book was such a blast! I adored every character; they were all so charming and fun. Rochelle’s determination really stood out. The relationship between the main characters was absolutely adorable. Jennie might be my favorite—she was hilarious!
The friendships in this book were truly something special.

This was so cute! Great sapphic enemies-to-lovers romance for YA crowd. I thought the characters were really well-developed, and was very invested early on in their friendship & relationship. That cover is so perfect for this book, and really fit the story well.

I liked how much Rochelle overthinks things, and thought the author did a great job with her intensity about school while still keeping her a kid. Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Zakiya N. Jamal for the chance to read and review, my opinions are my own! This one should absolutely be a hit!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book! All opinions stated below are my own and honest thoughts :)

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 - I loved it!!

Rochelle Coleman is an introverted, hard-working student with big plans for her future. Amira Rodriguez is a bit opposite; she's loud, out-going, and quite popular at school. Rochelle and Amira used to be best friends as a by-product of their mothers' friendship, but a falling out freshman year has had them at each other's throats in competition for academic success. Now, it's the summer before senior year and in order to get into her dream school, Rochelle has decided she needs a job to help round out her application. She lands a job at the Black-owned local movie theater, Horizons. The problem? Amira works there too, and she's the assistant manager, effectively making her Rochelle's boss for the summer. When Horizons starts struggling and an unknown prankster starts wreaking havoc on the theater, these two characters have to set aside their differences in order to help save the beloved local business. But they might find more than just an unexpected friendship along the way...

I absolutely loved this YA sapphic romance! "If We Were a Movie" gave me that nostalgic teen, summer-movie feeling (seriously, a production company should reach out to Zakiya N. Jamal ASAP for negotiations here). The setting of the local, Black-owned theater, Horizons, was so quaint and cozy - it made me want to attend a movie showing there! The details in the scene and character descriptions were thorough and made visualizing every aspect of this book so easy. Each of the characters were unique and quirky and I loved every single one of them. I felt like there was great character development by the main character, Rochelle, both internally and in her relationships with other characters.

The only thing I wish was a little different, is that I would love to see more of Rochelle and Amira's rivalry prior to working together. I feel like their competitiveness/animosity is just touched on as background information and I think I would have liked to see more of it actually on-page. But I do understand that the main driver of the plot is the mystery surrounding the theater prankster, so I get why the book was written the way it is - this is just a personal preference I have.

If you are a fan of friends-to-enemies/rivals-to-lovers romance, YA romance, or books featuring LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC characters, I would HIGHLY recommending checking out this book. It's sweet, cute, and a fast-paced, easy read. I'm looking forward to reading more works by Zakiya N. Jamal in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc!!!

Although I really enjoyed the writing of this author, I didn't think the romantic aspect of the story really flowed as nicely as it could have.

The protagonists are supposed to be academic rivals, but the book was set in the summer, therefore adding no academic aspect to the plot. If they were "enemies" in any other way, I believe it would have made for a better plot.

Frankly, I didn't really feel the chemistry between Rochelle and Amira. They were both great characters, but their romance could have been developed more and slower.

Another thing, is that I found the conflict between them, a little over halfway through the book, quite unreasonable. There would be more intriguing drama, had the conflict been something bigger.

Lastly, the "mystery" aspect could have also done with more suspense, although I understand the obviousness of it was on purpose.

However, I absolutely loved all the characters and the bond they created throughout their summer working together. Their dynamic and their mutual love for Horizon was so refreshing and it made me feel like I was part of their group.

Overall, a fast-paced, sweet read!

Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!

I honestly don’t have too much to say about this book—overall, it was a really cute sapphic romance that I ate up in a day. The characters felt real, and I loved them working at a movie theater (a throw back to my own first high school job). There were definitely a few moments where the pop culture references were outdated (I’m thinking Among Us and Jojo Siwa specifically) but these were the only moments I felt taken out of the novel.

Amira and Rochelle are just two gals trying to make it through the end of highschool and rekindle their connection along the way. Nothing more I could have asked for!

'If We Were a Movie' is divine! Genuinely, it felt like I was reading a love letter to black culture and community. The writing is engaging and timelessly modern. The characters are all so well developed and interesting to the point that I was sad when the book ended, because I wanted more time with them. Rochelle and Amira's relationship arc feels authentic and made my heart so happy. This book really dives into the hard balance of being someone who's immensely ambitious while also trying to live like all other teenagers do, portraying the anxiety that teens feel in that situation really well. As an avid film/tv watcher myself, the way that their workplace, Horizon Cinemas, brings together a diverse and inclusive community, providing them with a space where they can see themselves be the main characters onscreen, is everything to me. If this were my universe, I'd be there every week. While I do wish that the mystery prankster storyline was a bit more extensive, I really enjoyed the blend of teen angst, mystery, and budding sapphic romance so much.

I enjoyed this book - typically, there isn't that many LGBT Young Adult romance novels out there so I appreciate the author taking the step in having representation for all. I loved the enemies to lovers trope and I think this was extremely adorable.

I'm definitely going to encourage others to give this book a try - it was an absolutely heartwarming sapphic love story.

WOW !!

i genuinely loved this book! i am so invested in the characters and the success of Horizons movie theatre. i don’t often read young adult romances but Zakiya Jamal’s writing created a movie in my brain that had me excited to read the entire time! i had to give this book 5 stars ♥️

Overall: 4.5/5
Tropes: Rivals to lovers

This was a new to me author and I really loved this sapphic YA story! It was full of fun and heart and culture. The friends to rivals to lovers vibe between Rochelle and Amira!

By the end, there was sso much friendship and camaraderie between Rochelle and her coworkers after they found out who was pranking the theater. The story was also really diverse, which I loved!

I absolutely adored Zakiya Jamal's IF WE WERE A MOVIE!! While I'm not usually picking up YA books, reading IF WE WERE A MOVIE made me a bit emotional because I know younger me would've enjoyed reading this. In fact, younger me probably needed this. This heartfelt story about two Black queer girls falling for each other in an enemies to lovers manner was a quick read. I loved the inclusivity, especially because it didn't feel forced. My favorite character was Amira-- Rochelle's rival and love interest. All the characters were quite dynamic though, making this such a fun YA read. Also-- the cover is STUNNING!

I was so excited to receive an ARC of If We Were a Movie and it did not disappoint!! I loved everything about this book, from the characters to the setting to the plot. It included a lot of my favorite tropes, including enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and found family. This is definitely a new favorite YA romance for me!

If We Were a Movie is a super cute sapphic rom-com with my all time favorite tropes, enemies to lovers and found family. All of the characters were so beautifully written and had their own distinct personalities. I especially loved how Rochelle actually felt like a real teenager who is ambitious and determined to get into her dream college, yet wonderfully imperfect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a cozy YA romance with amazing representation.

Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal is the kind of book that sweeps you off your feet from the very first page. It’s an utterly charming rivals-to-lovers romance set in the quirky and nostalgic backdrop of a historic Black-owned movie theater, and it had me grinning, swooning, and sometimes wanting to give the main character a good talking-to. But that’s exactly what made it such a compelling and fun read. Jamal has crafted a story that feels fresh, vibrant, and perfectly at home in the YA romance genre. I couldn't help but fall in love with the dynamic between the two leads and the heartwarming, queer-normative world they live in. This one easily earned its 5 stars.

The relationship between Rochelle and Amira is, without a doubt, the heart of this story. Their chemistry practically sizzles off the page, with all the sparks, tension, and banter that make rivals-to-lovers such a satisfying trope. Rochelle’s laser focus on her academic success and her burning rivalry with Amira is what initially fuels the story, but as they’re forced to work together at Horizon Cinemas, their interactions take on new layers. I loved watching Rochelle's perspective shift as she started to see Amira for who she truly is, beyond the competitive walls Rochelle had built around herself. Their relationship felt genuine, growing naturally as they navigated both the drama of their jobs and the underlying mystery surrounding the theater.

Speaking of Horizon Cinemas, the setting added so much charm and depth to the story. The theater itself felt like another character, with its rich history and the threat of closure looming over it adding stakes that tied into the romance beautifully. The subplot of saving the theater from financial ruin was a wonderful throughline, serving as both a backdrop for Rochelle and Amira’s relationship to evolve and as a symbol of the community that held them together. The mystery element of the story—figuring out who or what was behind the strange incidents at Horizon—added a layer of intrigue that kept things lively, without ever overshadowing the romance.

Though the side characters were a bit shallow in terms of development, they were still a delight to read. Each brought their own flavor to the story, adding humor and warmth to Rochelle and Amira’s journey. I also really appreciated the queer-normative representation throughout the book, not just in the romance but in the way other sexual and gender identities were woven naturally into the story. It felt refreshing and important without ever feeling forced, showing that inclusivity can be both authentic and central to a story.

As much as I loved Rochelle, there were definitely moments when I wanted to shake her! Her tunnel vision when it came to her academic future made her stubborn and, at times, frustrating, but that’s also what made her such a real and relatable teenage character. She made mistakes, she learned, and she grew in ways that felt earned, both in her personal journey and in her relationship with Amira.

Overall, If We Were a Movie is a beautiful, fun, and heartfelt YA romance that hits all the right notes. Zakiya N. Jamal has written a debut that’s not only full of heart and humor, but one that celebrates Black culture, queer love, and the nostalgia of old movie theaters. It’s the kind of book that makes you laugh, swoon, and maybe even kick your feet with excitement.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC—I can’t recommend this one enough! If you love rivals-to-lovers romances with a dash of mystery and a whole lot of heart, this is definitely a book to add to your TBR.

First thing first, the title of this book. Chefs kiss (Hannah Montana fan here).

I’m always drawn to a good sapphic romance, and the setting of a Black-owned, Black-centered movie theater added such a rich backdrop to the story—it pulled me in right away. The queer representation throughout the book is phenomenal, offering a variety of identities in a way that feels natural and authentic. I especially appreciated how the author introduced queer characters, handled identity corrections, and emphasized self-accountability for mistakes or assumptions. It was all incredibly well done.

This is the perfect wholesome sapphic YA romance to satisfy any soft, nerdy rivals-to-lovers cravings! The banter between Rochelle and Amira is top-notch, and watching their growth was just beautiful. Honestly, I want more of them! Every sapphic reader needs to pick up If We Were A Movie—I came for the romance, and it absolutely delivered!

(Side Note: I was so happy to see this book. There are not enough sapphic romance novels out there especially about Black and Afro-Latina teenagers. This was amazing to read and feel seen).

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC of this book. All opinions are true and my own.

(Received an ARC from Netgalley/HarperCollins)

🌈 4.5 ⭐ rounded up ✨

A very wholesome sapphic YA romance to satisfy your soft nerdy rivals to lovers cravings! Love how black culture and movie history is sprinkled throughout the book gosh we need more books in similar settings please.

I'm all for a well-written cast of different characters with representation that feels natural and Zakiya didn't disappoint. I'm also in love with how the side characters all have their own distinct personalities— it is actually hard to get them mixed up (which I found surprising for me because I do tend to mix characters up/forget their names if there's a lot of them 💀) Also screaming about the dynamic between Rochelle and her mum, just so raw and real.

The mystery surrounding the sabotaging of the theatre could have been slightly less predictable but that's the only tiny critique I have and considering it is a minor subplot, it didn't affect how joyful my reading experience has been.

Lastly, the banter between Rochelle and Amira is top-notch and it's been so beautiful to watch them grow and I want more of them okay— I'm looking forward to more from the author <3