ALA Booklist (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Ambitious high-school senior Rose abruptly quits the school paper, to which she's dedicated most of her school career, deciding instead to focus on "normal" high-school activities, such as prom. Her sudden move confuses almost-boyfriend Grant: he's reluctant to leave the school paper, but Rose is suddenly not talking to him. But never fear, readers! As the end of the school year approaches, Rose and Grant are inadvertently brought together at prom for one last chance at a sensational story d a chance to admit their feelings for each other. Lehrman's sophomore novel is structured around flashbacks of Grant and Rose from their earlier years in high school. While this arrangement provides vital information to the present-day dilemma, readers will need a chapter or two to adjust to the shuttling through time. Once they do, though, they're likely to find enjoyment from the spirited characters and entertaining story line.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

When the wealthy African American Darcys move in across the street, proud Haitian-Dominican teen Zuri must deal with standoffish younger brother Darius and the reality that the family's move means Bushwick is being gentrified. This lively, innovative Pride and Prejudice retelling starring a fully rounded Afro-Latinx character hits the familiar notes of Austen's Bennet sisters while inventively modernizing the original's commentary about social class.

Kirkus Reviews

Love, journalism, and teenage angst collide in this sweet story of missed opportunities and second chances.Rose and Grant are the perfect team, in sync about their journalistic aspirations and their future at Northwestern. She writes for the Hawks High School newspaper that he edits, and as they chase down leads and work long hours together, romantic tension simmers just beneath the surface. At the end of senior year, however, Rose is ready to move on from the newspaper dream she's not sure was ever 100 percent hers and from the boy who is perpetually too afraid to make a move. When the school goes into lockdown during prom, Grant realizes that this story may be his last chance to work with Rose and his only hope of winning her back. The narrative shift between the present day and the pair's earlier years in high school allows the tension between Rose and Grant to build organically. Lehrman (The Cost of All Things, 2015) writes teens well, and Rose's consternation over her life choices and the revelation that the future she envisioned might not suit her feel all too real, as does Grant's indecisiveness about whether to risk friendship for something more. Grant is assumed white, Rose is Italian and Cuban, and her best friend is Chinese-American (her portrayal unfortunately falls into lazy stereotypes).An earnest high school romp as intrepid as its sleuthing protagonists. (Fiction 14-18)

School Library Journal (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 9 Up-Rose Regnero, star reporter, has spent almost four intense years working in the newspaper room alongside editor-in-chief, Grant. But just before the end of her last semester, she abruptly quits, announcing that she wants a different, normal life. Grant, who is unconsciously besotted with her, feels blindsided and can't understand what happened. Rose attends prom only to find herself face-to-face with Grant when an alarm sounds and all the students are put on lockdown. There's reportedly an active shooter in the building and everyone is terrified, but all Grant can focus on is that this could be the story of his careerand he's betting it will bring Rose back into his life. Meanwhile, Rose knows more about the emergency than she lets on but she's unsure she wants to involve herself with Grant. Uneven writing mars this story of two teens who are perfect for each other but can't seem to get it together, set in the frightening scenario of recent shootings. Descriptive sequences are clear and exceptionally visual, but characterization sometimes lack authenticity. Sequential plotting often suffers during the shooting scenes. Still, in her sophomore effort, Lehrman has long moments of brilliance and is a writer to watch. VERDICT An uneven but promising effort for those who enjoy stories of unrequited love, journalism, or topical novels on current news themes. Susan Riley, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY