His character really hit home for me- it brought me back to my high school years when I didn’t want to go too far from home for college.

Overall (and in spite of these distracting plot choices) it’s a necessary story for young teens on what is and isn’t a healthy relationship to maintain in one’s life as well as how valuable growth is. the two are in their senior year of high school, which of course comes with its own struggles, but they were each dealing with their own stuff, too, which made things harder.Thank you to the author, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy such that I could share my honest opinions. Ebony LaDelle’s Love Radio is a love letter to Detroit, to young love, and to figuring out how to love yourself. This book contains a wonderful romance that centers open communication and regular check-ins with boundaries. So, when his Uncle offers him a segment on his popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, Prince graciously accepts. This book is a celebration of Black love, Black teenagers, Black friendship, and the Black family, and I adored it from beginning to end.

There’s growth and trust and stumbling and resets scattered all throughout the development of these two characters (both as individuals and as partners for one another).

You can read more about the issue of featuring BIPOC characters on book covers in this wonderful article.