Y’all… this book *wrecked* me. It’s raw, electric, and so painfully real that I kept catching my breath between chapters. Marisa Crane perfectly captures the high stakes of first love, grief, and ambition, all set against the sweaty, adrenaline-fueled backdrop of high school basketball.

Mack Morris is a character who *feels* her grief over her father’s death, her obsession with Liv, her hunger for something bigger than her small-town life. The way Crane writes their chemistry is *so* intense, both on and off the court. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s *so* 2004 (cue the nostalgia). Think *Love & Basketball* meets *Call Me by Your Name*, but with even sharper edges.

The way this book explores identity, queerness, and the suffocating expectations of small-town life? Absolutely gut-wrenching. And the writing? Lyrical, punchy, and impossible to put down. If you love stories about love that consumes, grief that lingers, and sports as both salvation and escape this one’s for you.

This was Stunning. Kinda like Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth mixed with Idlewild by James Frankie Thomas and the main character is Zendaya in Challengers except basketball and gay. This book tasted like sweat. It was so so good.

In A Sharp Endless Need by Marisa Crane, Mack is aimlessly forging her way through her senior year of high school where basketball is her saving grace. The drinking and drugs are a mark for the grief and hidden sexual desires she has for a new teammate, Liv.

Positives: Setting a book in a competitive high school basketball team gives a glimpse into recruitment that students faced in the time the book takes place. I’m sure today’s recruiting world with NIL is much different. Today’s world would’ve done Mack’s family a lot more good for what they were going through.

Struggles: I will say that either I’m delusional on high school athletic drug use or there was a bit of overkill on how often and how hard of drugs were used by several characters in the book. Mack’s demons were numerous and overwhelming. She had a lot of burden she carried (and created) that would be difficult for a grown adult, much less a 17 year old.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on May 12, 2025. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #penguinrandomhouse #ASharpEndlessNeed #Marisa_Crane

<I>How was I expected to explain to this stranger that the more I desired, the more those desires emptied me? That if I could be anyone else, I would.</I>

4.5 / I don't know anything about basketball and I'm FAR from a sporty person but I absolutely loved Marisa Crane's first novel, I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself, so as soon as I found out they had a new book coming out I knew I had to read it, no matter what it was about. This beautifully written small-town coming-of-age story reminded me a lot of the first half of Emily M. Danforth's The Miseducation of Cameron Post, one of my favorite books, with the focus on characters and emotions and the fact that Liv reminded me a lot of Coley. Unfortunately this didn't quite resonate with me as much as Crane's first book did, but I think it would be even more moving than that to the right person. I also think reading this as an ebook kinda inhibited me from loving it as much as I could have BUT I still highly recommend.

thanks to netgalley, the dial press, and penguin for the arc!

Final Rating: 3/5 stars
My previous experience in regards to literature that focuses on queer female romance is almost non-existent, so I was really excited to read this arc. It did not disappoint! The language was beautiful and even though I know nothing about basketball, the terms used were not confusing and explained the perfect amount for many to understand. However, that was also a point that brought down my rating as I believe someone who has previous experience with the sport would have a lot more appreciation for what was discussed in the context of the book. The exploration of the self, sexuality and friendships was well developed and progressed through the story (which read very fast). I did not really agree with the ending and would have preferred to have something more concrete considering the nature of the story. Overall, the language was beautiful (even if at times I thought it was somewhat forced).

Rating: 4.5/5

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A thoughtful, unique story about struggling with love, grief, self-acceptance, and growing up.

I came into this with the very little basketball knowledge that comes with playing on middle school JV team. I've been a (casual) athlete for most of my life but have never been a particularly good or committed one. So, I couldn't exactly relate to Mack's love, and need for basketball. I can, however, relate to a young queer kid with an overly intimate friendship who is struggling to figure out who they are while simultaneously self sabotaging their life. And this book so perfectly encapsulated that experience.

The writing gave me such a seamless view into Mack's head and how she experienced the world. The lense of a talented and obsessive athlete was such an interesting way of exploring vice and pouring all of yourself into something external to avoid looking inward. The switch between active and passive voice (i.e. direct quotes from a character vs "she told me how") mimicked the act of storytelling so well it really felt like I was with Mack as she told me her story.

It is definitely a character driven book and I found it a bit slow at times, but the prose is beautiful and the story is heart wrenching in a wonderful way. Highly recommend this read.

A sharp endless need by Marisa Crane is a coming of age book about a relationship between two basketball teammates.

Mack Morris's senior year of high school begins with the death of her father. At the same time a new transfer kid came to the school, Liv Cooper.

Mack and Liv have amazing chemistry both on and off the court which does not go over well in their small Pennsylvania town.

If you're a fan of Call Me By Your Name and Love & Basketball then this is the book for you.

Thank you to Marisa Crane for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Publish date May 13 2025

Marisa Crane’s A Sharp Endless Need is a deeply felt, nostalgic coming-of-age novel that captures the messy, all-consuming intensity of first love, grief, and the suffocating weight of small-town expectations. Set in rural Pennsylvania in 2004, the novel follows Mack Morris, a high school basketball star whose world is rocked by the sudden loss of her father. As she navigates her senior year, the arrival of transfer student Liv Cooper changes everything. Their chemistry on the court is electric, but off the court, their relationship is even more charged—filled with longing, confusion, and the quiet terror of being different in a town that doesn’t welcome difference.

Crane writes with an unflinching honesty about adolescence—the impulsivity, the desperation to belong, and the way emotions can feel both overwhelming and impossible to define. Mack and Liv’s connection is as exhilarating as it is painful, and while I sometimes struggled to fully grasp their emotional landscape, that might be the point—teenage love is rarely neat or fully understood, even by those experiencing it. The novel also benefits from strong secondary characters, like Grayson and Katrina, who ground the story in the daily rhythms of high school life. At times, the narrative feels uneven, but perhaps that meant to further mirror the strange, uncertain nature of adolescence.

With its blend of raw emotion, sports-fueled tension, and coming-of-age nostalgia, A Sharp Endless Need is a powerful, if at times chaotic, exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery.

Honestly, I don’t get why this has so many 5 star reviews…
I found it boring and over written. Everything was described in so much detail. I skimmed only because it was a netgalley arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this arc!

There were things I loved about this book and things I didn’t. I loved Mack’s yearning for Liv and her coming of age story. I enjoyed her grappling with her sexuality and her crush, as well as navigating grief.

I didn’t like how much this book relied on basketball. I skimmed most of those parts because I don’t resonate with it. I also didn’t like the extreme amounts of drug and alcohol use. It felt inappropriate and over the top.

At times it felt repetitive and lost my interest. The ending was also not satisfying to me. But that being said, I wish I had read this in high school and I hope young queer women and femmes give this book a shot!

An overall 4.8 star read? I didn`t love the pacing in the first quarter and also thought sometimes the story, as well as the character development dragged a bit. I think the second part really pushed me over the 4 star mark, as i was actually interested in the ending. It finally felt like the stakes were a bit higher. In the end the author was spitting straight facts, and in such a poetic and relevant way too.

I was a bit confused in the beginning, because it was obvious that the basketball was a big metaphorical part of the book, and me not even knowing the rules of. Basketball, i was kinda lost on that part.

I really liked the familial relationships that were shown in the book, especially livs relationship to her mom, since it reminded me of lucy and her mom from the book sunburn (which is my fav book as of late).

The book also touched on a bunch of topics that were pretty serious but not explored well, like eating disorders in sports or drug addictions. Especially with addiction, when its not further touched on you feel as if addiction was instrumentalised for entertainment. I thought maybe the author could have simply stated the fact if mack was clean or not in the end, instead of just forgetting that plot point.

I did think the end was written in the best way it could have been, and the story ended on the perfect note. She could have ended the book on each of the last 4 chapters and have a completely fine ending, even if incomplete or sad. But im glad she stuck to her idea, because now looking back, you could see those chapter endings as alternate endings and appreciate that we got to experience such character growth.

The story is set in a small town in the early 2000s. Mack is a senior in high school and plays basketball. Her father passes away, and at the funeral, she meets Liv, her future teammate. Mack immediately feels drawn to Liv but keeps it to herself.

The book features a lot of basketball, and Marisa Crane describes it masterfully. It turns out she is a former college basketball player, so that makes sense. I liked that the author touched on many important themes: coming-of-age, self-discovery, dealing with loss, coming to terms with one's sexuality, and parent-child relationships.

But unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. The characters frequently consume alcohol and various drugs throughout the book. I understand that it’s about teenagers, but for high schoolers aiming to become professional athletes, it felt inappropriate to me. I also didn’t particularly like any of the characters, and the ending felt rushed, leaving me with so many unanswered questions. After finishing the book, I can't even say for sure—does it have a happy ending?

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House (The Dial Press) for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

On the surface, this book is about basketball, but at its core, it’s a powerful coming-of-age story about grief, love, friendship, longing, and identity. Basketball is woven seamlessly into the narrative—not just as a sport but as a lens through which the characters’ emotions and struggles unfold. The love for the game is evident, making it immersive even for readers who aren’t sports fans. The writing is strong, the kind of style that really engages me, the characters are clearly drawn, and the relationships capture the intensity of high school friendships and romance and just "all the things:. The characters' connection is messy and overwhelming, capturing the rawness of young love, even if at times I struggled to feel like I fully understood their feelings (then again, that's adolescence in a nutshell). The secondary characters, like Grayson and Katrina, add depth, making the plot and story more realistic to the daily life and contexts of high schoolers.

That said, the book has some uneven parts, which might be intentional if we are really trying to get into how adolescences feelings and the oddness that was the late 90s and early 200os (I know of which I speak). While Mack is a compelling protagonist, being inside her head can be frustrating at times (again though teenagers and growing up are this way). The heavy presence of drug and alcohol use felt somewhat unrealistic, especially given the lack of consequences from coaches or parents. I also wanted more from the actual time period, I saw this in other reviews and I agree, something was missing about the why of this time/setting though it was relevant to identity and coming of age themes in the story.

Despite these issues, this is a nuanced and emotionally resonant novel that captures the pressures of senior year, the complexities of identity, and the quiet, defining moments of adolescence. While it follows a high schooler, it doesn’t read as YA, tackling mature themes that make it just as compelling for adult readers.

3.5/5

This book is a powerful coming-of-age story that effortlessly blends a queer sports romance with raw emotional depth. Mack and Liv’s connection is intense and fast, capturing the messy, overwhelming nature of young love, though a bit more buildup at the start would have been welcome. Still, their dynamic is captivating, making the journey feel authentic and gripping.

Even if you're not into sports, the sharp writing and immersive atmosphere make this book worth picking up. It’s got a bit of Challengers intensity mixed with Euphoria-like grief, and it works perfectly. The side characters, like Mack’s friends Grayson and Katrina, are also thoughtfully developed.

For anyone who’s ever navigated identity and love, this book hits hard. Mack’s confidence in her masculinity is empowering, showing that there’s beauty in embracing all parts of who we are. It’s a poignant reflection on self-discovery, love, and finding your place in a world that can feel both vast and confining. The more I sit with this story, the more it resonates. It’s a book that lingers long after you’ve finished.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

“A Sharp Endless Need” is by Marisa Crane. What I liked about this book - the tension and chemistry between the two main characters. The teenage years are difficult, but Ms. Crane did a good job with the awkwardness and not always communicating needs/wants of people that age. I also liked how the feelings of the main character (Mack) were explained on the page via the internal monologue. What wasn’t so great was all the drug/alcohol usage - I know there’s experimentation and usage, but there was a lot including parents contributing to underage abuse. If you are unfamiliar with basketball terms, like I am, the terms may become a bit overwhelming for you. While I liked some of the themes - especially in the struggle for young people trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in - I also found myself being frustrated because it didn’t hold my interest in a way I hoped it would.

Coming-of-age, queer, and intense — “A Sharp Endless Need” follows the story of Mack & Liv as they navigate queerness surrounded by opposing forces. I think the journey these two go on together, and individually, explores the complexity of young love and discovering oneself in a way many can relate to. I also enjoyed the narrative style and the pace at which this book flowed. Every page was captivating and I could not put it down once I got into it; this is a very character driven story, which I love. Definitely a book I would revisit in the future! Thank you so much to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC. Excited to see what this author writes next.

This book is a complex and powerful experience. It's a nuanced exploration of a high school athlete's senior year, capturing both the intense pressure and the quiet, internal struggles. It's about everything – pressure, identity, relationships – and yet, in a way, it's also about the subtle, almost intangible moments that define us. Don't be fooled by the high school setting; this is a story with real depth and mature themes, offering a compelling read for adults as well.

A sharply written coming of age novel with lesbian representation that I thoroughly appreciated. Crane's writing style is so beautiful and poetic, I couldn't stop highlighting lines. The sports was also entertaining as it was woven through the girls' relationship and I thought that was executed so well. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did, so even if you have an apprehensions about this, trust the author to take you on the journey. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House for the ARC!

This book is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that’s both smart and addictive….. A tough balance to strike, but it pulls it off effortlessly. Even with so many side characters only getting a few chapters, I have still found myself thinking about where the story left them.

At its core, this is a queer sports romance that feels incredibly real, capturing that messy, intense, and sometimes unhealthy kind of relationship you can only have when you’re young. Mack and Liv’s connection is compelling, though their relationship develops fast.

I would’ve loved a bit more buildup at the start.
But I still loved how their dynamic was raw and emotionally charged, making their journey feel both gripping and genuine.

Even if you’re not into sports, this book is worth picking up. The writing is sharp, the emotions hit hard, and the atmosphere is so immersive. There’s a bit of Challengers-style intensity mixed with the hazy grief of Euphoria, and it just works. Some side characters, like Mack’s friends Grayson and Katrina, are especially well-drawn.

Overall, this book absolutely deserves the hype. It’s intense, thoughtful, and lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page. Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the eARC!

"It was as if we'd been playing together our entire lives. We didn't even have to say anything; we knew when the other's blood was hot with fury. We were alone together; we were a crowd all our own. We were ethereal; we were of the world. We were untouchable; we were touching each other all the time, with every pass, every play, every time-out, every steal." (loc. 1339*)

Another time and another place: When Mack and Liv meet, it's an instant connection. They're both basketball players with Division I dreams and the skills to back it up. The air sizzles between them, on and off the court. But: It's a different time. Liv has a boyfriend; heterosexuality is the only option that has ever been modelled for them; Mack, too, is unwilling to take that first step out of bounds.

This is set in 2004, putting Mack in her last year of high school around the same time I was in mine (though I was a sports-averse nerd, and Mack sees college primarily as a vehicle to play basketball at a higher level). The year is there in the details: Mack and her mother share a flip phone; communication via AIM (or AIM away status) is the norm; social media isn't yet a thing, but word gets around anyway. Word always gets around.

For whatever reason, most of the basketball books I've read have been about queer girls figuring it out. This reminds me strongly of Nina Revoyr's "The Necessary Hunger", which remains one of the best queer-girls-figuring-it-out books I know and also features characters whose lives revolve around the next basket. Different settings, different time periods, different plots, of course. But both of them with this push-pull of will they and won't they and how much does it cost to put yourself forward, to be open about want.

There are a few things here that I'm still puzzling over after finishing the book (what was up with Liv's father? And the end—where does that leave them, both individually and together?), and I think I might have liked a slower timeline—Mack and Liv have one of those teenage relationships (platonic/romantic/sexual, doesn't matter) that burns so bright and so fast that it's clear that something will have to give—but this makes for a dynamic coming-of-age story.

Thanks to the author and publisher for inviting me to read a review copy through NetGalley.