What ensues is a charming book about finding oneself in the midst of chaos. While doing this, she gets distracted by a new girl at school, Siobhan, who's just come to the States from Ireland. To help with the cost, Mahalia commits to saving certain amounts of money for a deposit on a location and other supplies. However, unlike Naomi, Mahalia and her mother do not have as much money. Instead of going with a sweet 16, Mahalia decides that she wants to have a coming out party. 3.5 Starsįriday I'm in Love follows 16 year old Mahalia Harris (yes, she is named for the gospel singer) who wants nothing more than to have a sweet 16 party like her best friend Naomi. CW: stereotyping of Black students, racism, homophobia, queerphobia, abandonment of parental figure. If you're looking for a fun and sometimes emotional contemporary book that focuses on a queer Black teen then I would recommend checking this out. It wasn't as strong as Off the Record, but still good. This is the second book that I've read by Camryn Garrett and it was a solid read. With all the responsibility on her shoulders, will Mahalia's party be over before it's even begun?Ī novel about finding yourself, falling in love, and celebrating what makes you you.

But it's not long before she's buried in a mountain of bills, unfinished schoolwork, and enough drama to make her English Lit teacher blush. The idea lights a fire in her, and soon Mahalia is scrimping and saving, taking on extra hours at her afterschool job, trying on dresses, and awkwardly flirting with Siobhan, all in preparation for the Coming Out of her dreams. Then inspiration strikes: It's too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if she had a Coming Out Party? A singing, dancing, rainbow-cake-eating celebration of queerness on her own terms. She wants a break from worrying-about money, snide remarks from white classmates, pitying looks from church ladies. She wants the super cute new girl Siobhan to like her back. She wants a big Sweet Sixteen like her best friend Naomi. It's too late for a Sweet Sixteen but what if Mahalia had a Coming Out Party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, black joy and queer pride.

Friday I'm in Love by Camryn Garrett