Thank you to @simonteen for the chance to read this ARC.

I just want to first start off by saying I absolutely loved this book. It was such a sweet insta love romance which normally isn’t my go to trope,but Ebony did such a fantastic job writing this story that I don’t mind it.

Okay now let’s get into the story. We are following our FMC, Deja Martin a southern girl from North Carolina preparing to go up north to Maryland to attend college. On her first day in Maryland, she and her sister decide to visit a tattoo shop where she and Raja our MMC meet. From the moment they meet the chemistry between them is palpable and so tender which I absolutely adore to read in YA. I didn’t think Ebony could top the date Prince did for Dani in Love Radio, but somehow she did. The date Raja plans for Deja is too cute and shows how much he listens to her.

Everything between them is great expect for their parents have reservations about them being together. Deja’s family is really protective of her especially given how this world treats Black girls while Raja’s parents are very traditional and want to choose the woman he’s supposed to be marry. But I loved how their desire to be together was greater than what their parents wanted.

As someone who was born to Black American parents I really enjoyed reading the experience of a first gen child through Ebony’s writing and the struggles they face trying to make their family happy while also craving out their own identity and happiness. I also really enjoyed learning about the Nepali culture through Raja. Deja’s confidence was such a joy to read it warmed my heart that she knew her worth something that most girls her age struggle with, but Deja knows she’s that girl! This book was filled with so many gems for young Black girls reminding them how worthy and deserving of love they are.

I can’t recommend this book please added it to your TBR, your Amazon wishlist, and pre-order it now. You won’t regret it!!!

This book was kind of slow getting into the story. I think the build up was a bit too long, but I appreciated the story line. I live in the DMV so I really liked the fusion of cultures because that represents the “melting pot” of the DMV. I really appreciated Deja and her confidence but also her care for Raja and her family. I liked that to the outside looking in, she had it all together because she knew what she wanted to major in and what she wanted to do with her life, but really, she was still insecure and scared to leave her family. I liked how the book dealt with grief and being a darkskin woman in society and how people view you. I liked Raja and how he was going against the grain with being a tattoo artist. I enjoyed learning about Nepali culture and the fusion of Black and Nepali culture. Ebony definitely knows how to write a cute coming of age story

I was so hyped to get my hands on this early (thanks to the publisher and Netgalley!) because I read and adored Love Radio last year, but this one ultimately fell flat for me. I did like this, but not as much as I was hoping to. For one, I didn't vibe with the insta love, but I decided to keep reading since I was curious to see how Deja (Black American) and Raja's (Nepali American) relationship would deepen over time. At times, I found the pace to be rather slow, and I skimmed a little to get to any action. I liked seeing Deja and Raja work through the complexities and complications of an interracial and intercultural relationship. Raja pushes back against his parents' expectation of an arranged marriage with a Nepali woman of a similar class (caste). Deja's father also isn't pleased that she's dating outside of her race, arguing that a Black man will better understand her. But they both want to make their relationship work. Deja experiences colorism when interacting with some members of Raja's family, and Raja similarly experiences racism (misidentifying him as Mexican, or mistaking him as Muslim instead of Hindu being some examples) when interacting with some members of Deja's family. There are also nuanced discussions of arranged marriage (which I liked!).

I also thought this wasn't as well written as Love Radio, I think because this book has long internal monologues that started to feel repetitive.

I won't speak to the representation of Nepali culture, as I am a white reader. I encourage everyone to seek out Nepali and South Asian reviewers, if possible, for a sense of how Nepali people are represented. The author is Black, but she writes that this book is based off her own interracial relationship.

i loved this book. not as much as LOVE RADIO but i did love it.
I think it was a tad heavy handed with the cultural difference things and sometimes i felt it overshadowed their relationship; however, i think it was believable and enjoyable.

definitely sweet

I read this book in just a few hours. Couldn't put it down. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Will be recommending around pub Date.