Don't Let It Break Your Heart

May 13, 2024
A newly out lesbian navigates her blossoming queer relationship as well as a complicated dynamic with her ex-boyfriend in Horne’s engaging debut. Even though 17-year-old Alana Lucas came out, very little has changed between her and her former boyfriend, and now just best friend, Gray, though their friend circle has begun excluding her in subtle ways. When Tal transfers from Portland, Maine, to their Bangor high school for senior year, Alana half-heartedly agrees to go along with Gray’s glacially slow plan to ask her out, despite her immediate attraction to the newcomer. After struggling to understand Tal’s signals, it finally clicks for Alana when Tal kisses her at a party. Keeping the budding relationship secret from Gray torments Alana and strains their relationship, even as it helps her rethink her friends’ tepid acceptance of her sexuality and allows her to tentatively explore queer community-building. But when a crisis calls Tal back to Portland, Alana’s choice to not immediately join her cascades into a messy fallout. Snarky humor buoys depictions of fraught, realistic relationships in this winning story of believably flawed teenagers contending with issues of first love and first heartbreak. Characters read as white. Ages 14–up.

June 15, 2024
Alana Lucas is a lesbian: It's why she broke up with Gray, her best friend and boyfriend, last year. Even though they're no longer dating, the teens from the Bangor, Maine, area are inseparable--Gray's mom and Alana's parents have been close since college, and the high school seniors declare they had an "in-utero friendship." Alana and Gray have private jokes, long-standing traditions, and detailed plans for their futures. When intriguing new girl Tal arrives at their school, both Gray and Alana are instantly smitten. Alana, who's still coming to terms with what it means to live as an out queer person, allows herself to get roped into Gray's complex scheme to get Tal to like him. She decides to bury her growing feelings for Tal, even though the two girls become closer every day. The resulting love triangle forces Alana to explore her own interests, her identity as a lesbian, and how she fits into the larger queer community. She also learns some difficult lessons as she works on discovering her own path forward. While some supporting characters lack detailed backstories and seem to be tacked onto the main story arc, the joyous friends-and-lovers narrative sets this romance apart. Readers will enjoy Alana's immense growth as a character and delight in the witty dialogue between the three leads. Alana and Tal read white; Gray has brown skin. A warm hug of a romance. (Romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2024

Gr 10 Up-A beautiful, contemporary coming-of-age story about finding one's authentic self and learning to love and accept it. Alana Lucas is completely relatable as she navigates the politics of high school and her friend group, having recently realized her sexuality. Her best friend and ex-boyfriend Ethan Gray is close to her and supports her as best he can. But when new girl Tal Stonnard joins the student council and subsequently their friend group, Alana is forced to face her feelings and come into her own. Complete with college decisions, navigating forgiveness and betrayal, realizing life dreams, witty banter, and exercising autonomy, this is a wonderfully balanced story that evokes emotion and invites readers into the fun. Horne so accurately captures the buzz and electricity of high school: feeling overwhelmed getting to know a crush, as well as the conflicting feelings of getting closer to someone you're interested in, while also feeling guilty when your best friend likes them, too; and knowing who you are on your own, beyond the role you play to others. VERDICT Fresh and important while also being comforting. This book highlights themes and sentiments that all readers can relate to, regardless of identity or orientation.-Jenna LaBollita

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2024
Grades 9-12 Before the story begins, Alana Lucas and Ethan Gray broke up after she was outed as a lesbian. Yet Alana and Gray, as he's known throughout school (where he's student-body president) remain cooking buddies, prom dates, and general best friends. After all, they love each other. They were practically born next to each other in their small-town Maine hospital; their parents were and remain best friends. Things only get complicated when Tal, the new girl, becomes first their friend and then quickly both of their love interests. At first, Alana agrees to help Gray in his quest to date Tal. She has been trying to help him date, after all. Except Alana also falls for Tal and can't find a way to tell Gray. This emotional roller coaster contains a great deal of hope and heart. For high-school fans of Ashley Herring Blake, Becky Albertalli, and Brandy Colbert. Be aware: there is a hefty amount of underage drinking depicted throughout.

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