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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a review.

I really enjoyed this one. I couldn’t put it down. I kept looking forward to reading more. From the start it drew me in and kept me captivated the entire book.
It had so many things I loved: Black movies, Black stars, lgbtqia+, diverse cast with character growth and development, every character had a story + depth, rom com vibes, a mystery, it was well written and descriptive. A great debut novel for Zakiya. I also really liked the way feelings were navigated. I wish the theatre was real I would go! This was a cute YA that I would for sure recommend.

I truly loved this! Rochelle was amazing. I loved how deadset she was to prepare for college. And her two besties were also amazing! I was so astonished by the characters that worked at the Horizon and how hardcore they wanted to help save it. Also, the whole enemies to lovers vibe in this love story was so beautifully played out! I loved every bit of this!! Such a cute book with a great variety of inclusiveness!!

I received this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

I am thankful for having received an ARC copy of the book. It was the cover that first got my attention. I am far from a young adult, more like seasoned, yet I enjoyed this LQBTQIA+ young adult story. I was along for the ride of two girls whose friendship was forged based on that of their mothers'. It was cute story and a relaxing read for me. I think the target audience may have a different opinion. I do wish the events weren't so predictable.
I look to reading more of this authors work.

"If We Were a Movie" by Zakiya N. Jamal is everything I love about a good rom-com—sharp banter, undeniable chemistry, and a setting so rich in history and charm it practically becomes a character itself. Rochelle and Amira’s enemies-to-lovers dynamic is the kind of slow-burn tension that makes you grin like a fool while turning the pages. Jamal perfectly captures that heady mix of ambition, rivalry, and the unexpected moments where walls come down and feelings get real. The backdrop of Horizon Cinemas adds so much heart to the story, grounding their romance in a place that feels like a second home. This book isn’t just a romance; it’s a love letter to Black-owned businesses, cinema, and the messy, beautiful journey of falling for someone you’re supposed to hate. Perfect for fans of Leah Johnson and anyone who adores a well-done, heartfelt queer romance.

I don't read a lot of romance so this was my first one in a while and this was so freaking cute. I'm queer and it felt ... i dont know the word. I never got to be out and proud when I was younger and this made not sad but jealous. But I also loved it.

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

While it took me a second to get into the book because I found Rochelle insufferable at the beginning, I found that is probably the exact emotion I was supposed to feel, because her story arc became one of my favorites.

I would classify this as a cozy, summer YA romystery, leaning more towards the romance than the mystery side. I’m always a sucker for a good sapphic romance and the setting of a Black owned and centered movie theatre lent to the story very well and drew me in immediately. I kind of want the whole story but from Amira’s perspective now because that girl is a mastermind in getting the girl.

The side characters left me wanting a bit more of their tales and a little more of them in the book, but each were so well thought out and definitely had their own personalities and stories which made the book feel very flushed out and believable. I think that is why I wanted more of them because they felt real.

Also the queer representation in the book is phenomenal, there is a little of everything and I appreciated the way the author went about introducing queer characters, correction of identity, and self accountability for mistakes or assumptions. Very very well written.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, easy read that will leave you sighing happily and with hearts in your eyes. I got butterflies multiple times through out the book. Especially at “SAT word.” *sigh* The way the author writes the progression of Rochelle and Amira’s relationship was done so well and kept me hooked.

This book is definitely going on my reread shelf and I can’t wait to buy a physical copy when it is published.

Tropes I would consider covered in the book: close proximity, soft enemies to lovers, opposites attract, sapphic love, semi-slow burn, childhood friends reunion,

I enjoyed this book so so much! It is going up there as one of my favorite sapphic YA reads!

I loved Rochelle from the first page and she felt like a very real teenager to me. There were a lot of characters in this book and yet, by the end I felt like I knew every single one. I tend to get overwhelmed by keeping track of characters when reading, but I did not have that problem at all because each character in this book was so individual and fleshed out in a way that added to the story so well. I often find that when there is a lot of pre-book history between love interests (like with Rochelle and Amira) authors sometimes rely on that instead of actually developing the romantic relationship over the course of the book. That was not the case whatsoever here, both Rochelle and Amira, and their relationship, evolved over the course of the story in a way where you truly grew to love them.

While the characters were compelling enough on their own to carry the book, they didn’t have to because the setting and plot were so rich. I enjoyed how this book was a perfect balance of romance, friendship, mystery, and history and I cannot wait for it to come out so that everyone will get a chance to read it.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the historical theatre elements sprinkled in and really appreciated the LQBTQIA+ representation. I wish there had been less predictability, as the foreshadowing was very blatent, telling you exactly what was going to happen from the beginning of the book. Overall though, it was a cute love story and a good read.

Sapphic academic rivals to lovers was done SO WELL in this book! The characters were so compelling and I felt so attached to them as I was reading, they were real and complex, and overall this book was just fantastic.

this LGBT+ YA read grabbed me early on and I couldn't put it down. A finding yourself and saving something you live tale of two girls who have been forced together due to their mom's friendship. I loved how light hearted and fun this story was. If you need an easy-going read with a cute love story, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review!

This was a super cute read. I feel like the flaws that Rochelle had were very age appropriate for a teenager and she managed to grow a ton throughout the book. Every character was loveable to me. As someone who works in a movie theater, it was really awesome to see a sapphic romance set up in a movie theater. I was more invested in Amira and Rochelle's relationship than the sub-plot, but I think that's to be expected in a romance book. I do think that there were a few side characters that slightly suffered from there being too many of them, though I understand the point of having all the extra characters. All in all, I really loved this book and really liked the writing style.

This was a super cute, very romantic YA book. I loved it. I think it fell a little flat after the midway point but it was still good