I look forward to each of Jenn Bennett's books; they're well-written, heartfelt, and contain fully-realized characters who feel different from other YA books. They're also pretty awesome slow-burn romances, full of sweet (and sexy, but not too sexy) bits.

I first have a confession to make: it took me reading this book before I decided to pick up Bennett’s Alex, Approximately, which I know many people are obsessed with.  I’m currently reading it, and I’m sure there will be a review for it on my Goodreads page within the next couple days as well.

All that being said, wow.  I devoured this book and could literally think of nothing else while I was reading it.  It was real.  It was cute.  It was heartbreaking?  It was uplifting and empowering.  Mostly, though, it just felt like I was on a camping trip with these people who could easily have been traded out for people just like you and me.

Zorie is an extremely relatable character.  She’s pretty OCD about planning things, with calendars and lists and detailed research running her life.  So when she gets sent out to the woods for a camping trip - something she does NOT plan to enjoy - she’s totally out of her element.  I, too, would not enjoy camping or leaving the safety of my wi-fi at home, so I totally get this!

However, she ends up going on a spectacular adventure, with some bumps and bruises and an ex-best friend, Lennon.  Oooooooh, Lennon.  Lennon is not your average YA male.  He’s kind of goth?  And loves reptiles, comics, and works in his parents’ sex shop sometimes when he’s not working at the reptile house.  WHAT A GUY.  So interesting, and his character is also SO REAL.  I know I say that in every review, but he was such a dweeb but also loved hiking and was kind of built and ugh… Y’ALL.  It was so fun to read about him!  I know my reviews also always focus on the guy, but come on.  I’m gushing because you NEED to know.

Ultimately, Zorie and Lennon’s relationship starts of rocky and then you have this amazing story about love, family (so much wonderful and tragic family stuff), and friendship.  Bennett’s description of the landscape is also amazing, so I could really picture myself there.  The book is separated into 3 parts, and there’s a cute map at the beginning of each part.  So fun!

For real, read this book.  I recommend it to anyone who loves a good wilderness and camping story with a relationship that is super exciting to read about.

Suchhhh a good YA contemporary read. Perfect for the summer: that comfortable time in-between semesters where teens have that sense of freedom and independence. Jenn Bennett always writes hit contemporaries, and Starry Eyes was no exception. There were excellent, down-to-earth characters, the most wholesome romance, and an adventurous setting. There was a bit more drama than her past books, but the atmosphere of the book overall remained light and sweet. Here are some reasons, with the help of emojis, that explain why I recommend this book.

Zorie’s Flawed Character = Us *pencil emoji*

The book follows Zorie’s first-person POV. She loves planning through bullet journals and calendars. (Sounds like someone you know? ;) ) She needs to know what the plan is or she’ll get anxiety. I loved following her thoughts, her insecurities, and her discoveries. It’s the summer before her senior year of high school, but she’s got her eyes set on becoming an astrophysicist. She also has chronic urticaria, which is chronic hives that appear when she’s stressed or comes into contact with things she’s allergic to. I loved Zorie’s character and her penchant for planning.

"I believe in schedules, routines, washi-tape-covered calendars, bulleted lists in graph-paper journals, and best-laid plans."

Hiking Trip? Count Me In! *tent emoji*

The premise of the story is that Zorie goes camping when some popular people in her high school to try to raise her social standing. Zorie’s kind of lost at this moment of her life. Her ex-best friend Lennon has cut contact with her and her childhood friend Reagan distanced herself after she became rich and started training for the Olympics. She also takes this opportunity to get closer to a cute guy named Brett who she’s interested in. But not all goes well, and a heated argument in front of a waterfall leave Zorie stranded at the park… with her ex-best friend. Ensue romantic times.

Best. Romance. Ever. (Plus Points For Excellent Discussion of Sex!) *two heart emojis*

Bennett’s romances are always fantastically written. This time, she takes the best-friends-to-lovers trope and twists it to become best-friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-back-to-lovers. Fine, there is some drama and misunderstandings to create this scenario. But I didn’t mind - these mistakes happen and the characters did a great job in apologizing and owning up for what they did and getting back on track. Hello Romeo and Juliet vibes? Zorie’s dad dislikes the fact that Lennon’s moms opened a sex store right next to his massage/acupuncture clinic and blames their family for ruining his business. Ensue forbidden romance.

“‘We are goddamn amazing. We’re a rocket ship filled with potential. Either we die in a fiery blaze before we leave the Earth’s atmosphere, or we make it through and orbit the moon.’”

It’s the small things that make this romance so beautiful: the heated glances, subconscious trust, sparkling chemistry, and reciprocal respect for each person’s passions. Lennon is such a swoon-worthy love interest to. He’s biracial (his father’s an Egyptian-American rock star!) and exhibits emo vibes. He wears all black, likes reptiles, and enjoys horror manga. But he’s also an avid hiker and, luckily for Zorie, knows a lot about survival.

The Stepmother-Daughter Relationship is Flawless *mom-daughter emoji*

Zorie’s birth mother died when she was a young girl, but she maintains an excellent relationship with her stepmother, who she calls Mom. Zorie goes through some family trouble in the story, but throughout it all, her mother stays strong and supportive. I loved the small incorporation that she’s Korean-American. Bennett is always great with adding diverse elements to her contemporaries here and there in subtle yet important ways. I found their relationship to be sooo heartwarming and a large reason why I adored this book.

“Uncertainty isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential.’”

Sure, Starry Eyes follows similar tropes in contemporary YA that have been seen before. But Bennett’s writing just puts it on another level. The characters are refreshing, the dialogue is witty and sweet, and the relationships are wholesome and realistic. I will pretty much read anything this author releases, and with relish. I’m so glad this was another hit from her!