07/03/2023
Teens learning to trust again and discovering that drama is sometimes necessary for growth populate this sunny rom-com by Kenwood (It Sounded Better in My Head). Eighteen-year-old Brooke, a college freshman studying economics in Melbourne, is both excited and anxious to move into her “share house” with new dormmate Harper. As the two await their final roommate’s arrival, Harper, whose family owns the property, lays down the ground rules: “No pets; no romance between housemates; and no unnecessary drama.” Type A Brooke anticipates that following these rules will be a breeze, until she learns that her mystery roommate is Jesse, Brooke’s former high school friend who broke her heart when she was 14. To keep things civil, Brooke feigns friendliness in public and avoids Jesse at home, but the forced intimacy of their proximity erodes her long-held grudge. As the pair rehash old arguments, heal open wounds, and confide in each other about family conflict, Brooke finds herself falling back in love with the boy she swore to hate. Brooke’s high-intensity personality, amicable chatter, and hyper-independence propel the narrative through its believable and hilarious goings-on. Main characters cue as white. Ages 13–up. (Aug.)
USA TODAY Summer Must-Read
Amazon Best Book of the Month
"A fun, breezy read that feels lighthearted but is multilayered, this one will appeal to YA and new adult readers, especially those ready to begin college. Enthusiastically recommended." —SLJ, starred review
"A romantic comedy that brings the rom and tons of the com . . . sidesplitting comic writing and an appealingly messy protagonist to root for." —KIRKUS, starred review
"Teens learning to trust again and discovering that drama is sometimes necessary for growth populate this sunny rom-com. . . . Brooke’s high-intensity personality, amicable chatter, and hyper-independence propel the narrative through its believable and hilarious goings-on." —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Praise for IT SOUNDED BETTER IN MY HEAD
William C. Morris Award Finalist
2021 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List
Nominated to YALSA’s Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers List
“I am all-caps OBSESSED with this achingly insightful, utterly charming, beautiful heart-punch of a book. Instant favorite.” —Becky Albertalli, author of SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA
“With candor and affection, IT SOUNDED BETTER IN MY HEAD captures a teenager navigating the final moments of one stage of life and the first moments of the next.” —BOOKPAGE
“An authentic coming of-age story that perfectly captures the awkwardness and self-doubt many young adults feel. Teens will see aspects of themselves mirrored in Kenwood’s debut.” —SLJ
“I love, love, loved it.” —Melina Marchetta, author of JELLICOE ROAD
★ 07/01/2023
Gr 9 Up—Brooke has a plan for everything. She worries and is anxious but thrives on organization and is eager for a new start at university in Melbourne. Then, she discovers that her former friend Jesse, who kissed then humiliated her at a high school party, is her housemate. She has no other housing option and their third housemate, Harper, granddaughter of the owners, has a rule—no unnecessary drama—so Brooke pretends everything is fine while cautioning Jesse to leave her alone. While she is determined to keep her distance from Jesse, his help when she experiences a ruptured ovarian cyst and general kindness lead her to reluctantly see that there is more to him than his casual cruelty when they were younger. Told from Brooke's perspective, the novel captures the stresses of the early college experience of finding a friend group and discovering who you are as a "semi-adult." Enemies-to-love, set-ups, fake-dating high jinks to make an ex jealous—this one has a bit of everything, and readers will enjoy going along for the ride. Brooke doesn't drink; her older sister binge drinks and their absent father struggles with alcohol. Main characters cue white and there is LGBTQIA+ representation (the novel's most stable relationship is Harper and her girlfriend, Penny). VERDICT A fun, breezy read that feels lighthearted but is multilayered, this one will appeal to YA and new adult readers, especially those ready to begin college. Enthusiastically recommended.—Amanda Mastrull
Maddy Withington narrates an enemies-to-lovers romance set in Australia. While in high school young teens Brooke and Jesse became best friends; however, after an embarrassing incident, Brooke's feelings for Jesse turn to scorn. When they both end up in Melbourne for college, they're surprised to find themselves housemates. Remaining cordial for the sake of their other housemate, they rekindle their friendship--as well as their attraction. With clear enunciation and an emotive tone, Withington captures the story's humor, as well as Brooke's personality, especially her anxiety. The slight variance in voices is just enough to differentiate the characters. Romance fans, regardless of age, will enjoy this production. A.L.S.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
★ 2023-05-09
A young Australian woman leaves her small town for university in Melbourne—only to have to face her past in a romantic comedy that brings the rom and tons of the com.
Harper, whose grandparents own the house Brooke has moved into, has set three rules: “no pets; no romance between housemates; and no unnecessary drama.” The two young women meet for the first time when Brooke moves in, but when the third housemate arrives, it’s someone Brooke knows: Jesse. The same Jesse who jilted and publicly humiliated her when they were 14, after she experienced her first kiss with him. He became her secretly sworn enemy through the rest of their school days. Rule-follower Brooke does her best to avoid Jesse in order to prevent Harper’s sensing any drama, but the two slowly get pulled into spending time together. Brooke is determined to hold on to her grudge, but Jesse proves himself worthy of redemption, rekindling feelings that have lain dormant for the past five years. Following numerous comedic missteps and beloved rom-com tropes, including “enemies to lovers” and “boy next door,” the story culminates in a satisfyingly romantic ending. The hilarious scenes are cinematically portrayed, and the first-person narrative is heightened by Brooke’s funny, anxious, distinctive inner monologue. All main characters present White.
Sidesplitting comic writing and an appealingly messy protagonist to root for. (Fiction. 13-18)
