What to expect:
-speculative YA mystery
-psychic-like abilities
-missing friend
-secrets among friends
-depression & sickle cell rep

I was drawn in from the first page because Sariyah’s premonition is so different from anything I’ve read so far. I appreciated the real talk on the fact that missing BIPOC persons get less media attention, so Sariyah and her friends take it upon themselves to make a difference. I also thought the representation of living with a parent with depression was done well, especially as it depicted Sariyah needing to take on the caregiver role for her younger brother. Important topics aside, I enjoyed the mystery and the way Sariyah’s gift came in handy. The ending leaves an opening for a possible book two and I would absolutely read it! I read via audio and binged it in one day. It was easy to follow, each character had a distinct voice and the narrator had range so it didn't feel like she was literally just reading to me.

This is such a fantastic debut. The story, the characters, the writing… all of it is incredibly strong. The narrator did a great job, the book tackles some heavier topics, and the speculative part was very interesting and well-done. Overall, it was fabulous.

Such a fun read about such a heartbreaking topic! I really enjoyed reading about Soriyah and her friends navigating her unusual gift, while looking for their missing friend.
This book nails the YA genre through and through: young people aware of the struggles surrounding them, try to solve everything on their own. Their decisions are not the best, and the price they pay for them, costs them dearly. The ending has a sweet cliffhanger that I hope means this is book 1 of a series.

Channelle Desamours’ Needy Little Things is an achingly raw and intimate exploration of desire, vulnerability, and the yearning for connection. Through deeply evocative prose and complex, multifaceted characters, Desamours paints a portrait of love and longing that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The narrative’s emotional depth is matched by its sharp observations about human relationships, making it a compelling and unforgettable read. A poignant meditation on the things we crave and what they reveal about us.

Absolutely loved listening to Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours and narrated by Alaska Jackson!

Sariyah can hear other people’s needs: chewing gum, paper clip, nail file. The seventeen year old high school student carries a bag packed with random items that random passing people will need in some way. Strangely she can hear the needs of everyone except those she holds closest.

Years earlier one of her best friends, Tessa, goes missing after school. Years later another of her besties goes missing at a music festival. If Sariyah can gift all these random people with exactly what they need at the right time, why can’t she save those she holds dear?

Can she and her friends Malcolm and Jude find Deja before it’s too late?

I was hooked into this story from the jump. It’s the perfect blend of reality with just the right dash of magical realism. The characters are so well developed I could see them and the scenes play out in my head.

Needy Little Things is both a mystery and a thriller. The last few chapters had me gasping and trying to figure out how it would all unfold. The final twists made me gasp and I can not wait to read more from the author!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

Wow, what a spectacular book! The premise itself of Sariyah feeling and fulfilling needs is so interesting itself that it captures the reader. But the way that Desamours paints pictures of Sariyah and her life will reel you in in a whole new way.

I absolutely was not expecting the ending in any way, and I loved the way that this book kept me guessing the entire time. It's full of emotion, suspense, and mystery that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The commentary on the state of society along with the state of BIPOC missing or endangered persons is one that will keep you thinking far beyond the pages of the book. The way that Sariyah grows into herself is so special and truly feels like you're walking by her side.

This is a book that needs to be read by everyone, for so many reasons. It's going to make big waves, and I can't wait to see it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this read. I read a lot of YA and this was a very solid and well paced read. The ending had me wanting to scream. I loved the audio. It was smooth and really great listening. I cant wait to hear and read more from this author.

Okay, this was so good! The pacing was so well done, it really hooked me from the start. I did figure out the twist, which I don’t do a lot, but I still found it enjoyable.

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and I think that translated really well to audio. The narrator was fantastic.

This is such a fantastic YA thriller, and I will absolutely be reading more from this author in the future.

I loved this. It brought me back to the YA genre and reminded me how great YA books can be for adults. I thought her gift was interesting and innovative. The rest of the story felt fresh and I loved many of the characters and connected with them. Looking forward to more books by this author

This is without a doubt the best debut book I have EVER read! This book was amazing! I literally couldn't put this book down. Page turning, thought provoking, I couldn't put this book down. When this book hits the stores on 2.4.25 you will not be disappointed please pick this one up. Channelle Desamours I will proudly read whatever you write! I'm officially a fan for life!!!!

This book was so good, my only complaint is that it either should have been twice as long or I need the second book in this series to come out tomorrow.

This book kept me engaged from start to finish. Just absolutely masterful storytelling. If y’all love the game Life is Strange, this one is for YOU. The vibes are so similar. I am usually a more straightforward fantasy reader, but the mystery here was just incredibly compelling. I also loved the use of magic mixed with the MC’s actual diagnosis providing beautiful representation for ADHD. Highly HIGHLY recommend. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.

Sariyah, a Black teen with powers, carries a purse she calls her "Santa bag," filled with random items that somehow always meet others' needs. Her gift—hearing exactly what people need—seems harmless until a music festival turns her life upside down. When her best friend goes missing, Sariyah is thrown back into a dark memory: her friend Tessa disappeared years ago, too. Fueled by grief and the painful truth that missing Black girls often receive little attention or care, Sariyah embarks on a desperate quest for answers.

I loved this audiobook for how it tackled important issues. It reminded me how Black voices are marginalized and how, if we want change, we must amplify them. Sariyah’s determination to push her friend’s disappearance into the spotlight was inspiring. The title Needy Little Things was clever, layered in meaning. On one hand, it reflected Sariyah’s ability to sense and fulfill people’s needs. On the other, it captured the way kids, especially from a parent’s perspective, can feel overwhelming in their dependence.

The Santa bag was a standout detail for me—it was adorable and relatable. I even started calling my own mom purse a Santa bag! I also really connected with Sariyah’s sensory overwhelm and need to block out the world. As an autistic person, I know that feeling of being bombarded by the “neediness” of others. Earbuds became my lifeline, just as they are for her.

While the pacing fluctuated at times, the audio performance as well as the twists made up for it. I guessed one, but others genuinely surprised me—always a win as a thriller fan. This book strikes a powerful balance between heart, suspense, and social commentary. If you love books that make you think and keep you guessing, this one’s for you.

This was a very good YA read and plan on purchasing a physical copy for my shelf upon release. The FMC has a gift of providing what the needs of others. Even though sometimes it comes as a blessing and a curse, she can help everyone except her family. When friends and people around her start coming up missing and or dead her and her best friend Malcom try to solve the case to find their missing best friend. I really enjoyed this book. The way her feelings were described reminded me of that’s so raven. I enjoyed the character development the plot and all of the twist that were happing. This book really kept my attention, I felt like I was solving the case too. The narrator did an excellent job with the voice changes and making them actually sound their ages from parents, teachers and the kids. Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this great audiobook.

For this to be Channelle Desamours’ debut novel, this was AMAZING! After reading the description, I was ALL in! A black fmc, who can hear the needs of others (minus her family)… and uses her power to help her friend Deja…. Until Deja goes missing!
Sariyah is such a complex character- being able to constantly hear the needs of others while feeling obligated to give them what they need, issues at home, and at school..whew!
This story is so much more than its magical elements- it has themes of friendship, racial inequality, and mental health.

I was fortunate to have listened to this on audio and Alaska Jackson is a great narrator! Her performance made my experience with this story even better!

Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGally for the ALC!

Needy Little Things is a YA book with a little bit of suspenseful pacing and some magical realism thrown in. Our main character can hear the needs of other people. She always could. She's careful not to let people know and usually just slips people small things, like gum or rubber bands, etc from her "Santa bag."

When her friend goes missing from a music concert, she throws herself into finding her. It brings up a lot of old feelings about her best friends disappearance a few years ago. This book brings up themes of racial disparity and the amount of press and attention that missing people get based on their race.

This book is written with a YA audience in mind and I think highschool readers will enjoy and connect with the characters. They may relate to their talk about schoolwork, jobs, and getting along at home.

I was hoping for more build up with the suspense and who ended up being the bad guy, but I did enjoy it overall.


Thank you to MacMillan audio for an ALC copy to enjoy.

Got this audiobook as an ARC & WOW!! They really did that! WOW!! Sariyah is the fmc in this YA mystery & she has premonition like powers & finds herself in a dangerous situation when having to manage life with a mom who loses her job & a brother who suffers from a incurable disease. Waittttttttttttttt! Will it be a big two!? How could it end like that????

This book immediately gave me That’s So Raven, Nancy Drew, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Vibes!

The premise of the book drew me in completely. Sariyah’s unusual ability to sense the needs of people around her and she’s trying to find the items for them without people asking if she is clairvoyant (hints the That’s So Raven vibes I got). I compared the two because it was funny when her friends told her that even if she get what they need she doesn’t know what it’s going to be used for just like when Raven would have a vision and get into trouble because it’s not what it seems. The one worded “needs” would constantly float around inside her mind until she fulfilled it. Sariyah has developed ways to cope but she still struggles to focus on school and be a normal kid.

The storyline engaged and unpacked a lot in between the lines in a sense of bringing light to sickle cell, depression, trade school, and exploring the way missing black girls are overlooked in society compared to others. It was an unique YA mystery and I’m excited to read future books from the author!

Thank you @netgalley @elledesamours @macmillan.audio @macmillanreads and @wednesdaybooks for allowing me to review both the ALC and ARC of Needy Little Things!

This is a solid YA mystery featuring an intriguing Black teen, Sariyah, whom I instantly rooted for. I felt for her as she tried to navigate life with her uncontrollable power of predicting the needs of those around her. I like how Desamours fleshed out the details of her power.

As for the story- the first chapter is great, and I was instantly locked in. I stayed engaged from start to finish. While I didn't love one major aspect of the final reveals of the mystery, I understood what Desamours was aiming for. Also, I didn't guess what would happen and an unpredictable mystery is always worth noting.

I appreciated the way this highlighted the issue of missing Black girls often not receiving the same media and community attention as their White counterparts.

The length was just right, and this was great on audio!

Ratings
Story Concept 4/5
Quality of Writing 4/5
Pacing 5/5
Plot Development 3/5
Character Development 4/5
Audio Narration 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 4/5

I cannot wait to buy this book and put it in my classroom library. The concept of Sariyah's powers is phenomenonal. I loved her powers and how they manifested. The idea was so unique. But this book has so much more. There is valid disability representation with characters dealing with IEP's and different illnesses. There is also a social justice issue that is very relevant to our society today. You just feel for these kids as they try make it through their days. And the ending. OMG, THE ENDING. I will read anything Channelle Desamours writes moving forward. Literally anything. And I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with.