4.5/5 ⭐️ to Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli! Thank you HCCFrenzy for the egalley!
I got very excited when my preorder arrived today, because this was a story with such heart, with theatre, friendship, and new love at the heart. BFFs Kate and Anderson share two main things: a passion for theatre, and crushes. But when a mutual summer crush moves and joins them at their school and in the fall musical, these besties must navigate carefully. The writing was fun & emotional and I really liked how the book turned out, and the theatre scenes made me wish I had tried that in high school! My one annoyance with the book was how Kate and her friends keep going on and on about “f-boys” this and “f-girls” that (mostly referring to the jock/cheerleader crowd). Though it did take me out of the story a little bit, Kate in Waiting was overall a wonderful new YA book from Becky, and I definitely suggest checking it out!

I loved this story. It was so heartfelt and sweet. I loved Kate and her development throughout the story was really well done. I also loved that this wasn't a typical love triangle type story. Instead it was two best friends, one straight girl and one gay boy, who end up having a crush on the same guy. Nothing new for them but this time they both start to develop a relationship with said crush. So then hilarity ensues while we try to figure out which was the crush swings. The story felt realistic and it was just really well done.

As a theater kid in high school (thank god that's over) with co-dependent friendships, I feel like I was really seen in this book. Albertalli is such a witty and hilarious writer, and I will continue to read and likely enjoy anything she puts out. I get the critique that the vocabulary (mainly f*boy) gets repetitive, but honestly I think most friend groups have phrases that they use to death, so although it was used a lot, I don't think that's unrealistic. I liked the way this wrapped up, and I just think it was so cute.

Such a delightful, fun read. Kate, Andy, and their group of friends all feel realistic, and even when they're making age-appropriate yet emotionally-driven decisions, Albertalli makes it feel real and sympathetic. Kate in Waiting perfectly captures what it's like to have a crush, and to be overly dependent on your best friend, and to be waiting in the wings for your moment to finally share just a little bit of the spotlight. This would have been my favorite book when I was sixteen, and I'm so thrilled that teenagers now will get to find pieces of themselves on the page.

In her latest book, Becky Albertalli invites readers into the theater world in her delightful novel "Kate in Waiting". Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are best friends who do everything together, from carpooling to school, rehearsing for the school musical, and even sharing crushes on the same guys. But when a long-distance communal crush between the two enrolls in their school, a shocked Kate and Anderson must learn to navigate their friendship when real feelings are at stake.

First and foremost, Albertalli skillfully draws readers into the world of high school theater. She writes with a nostalgia for theater that amplifies her clear and present love for it, something theater kids and non-theater kids alike will be able to appreciate. Through Kate, she manages to capture the ineffable qualities that being part of theater holds. She’s also able to inform both Kate and Anderson’s personalities, highlighting the safety, joy, and comfort they find in it. Albertalli crafts such a distinct and immersive world in this book that’s easy to say, “just one more chapter” over and over again.

One of the main noteworthy aspects of this book, though, is the friendship between Kate and Anderson. Albertalli paints a clear picture of the chemistry between the two. The endearing dynamic duo provides readers with a taste of how important they are to each other, which makes the jokey communal crush turned very, very real crush feel all the more impactful. While Kate tells the story, readers still gain an understanding of how significant Kate and Andy’s friendship is when the two struggle to hide feelings of jealousy. Kate’s feeling of dread not only shows readers how she typically reacts to situations but also builds up a solid description of Andy and his personality throughout the book beyond the bubbly Anderson she’s used to being around. And aside from the rocky moments, Kate and Anderson have such a wholesome, platonic love between each other that’s wonderful to read.

Similar to how readers come to understand Andy, the secondary characters also have time to shine. From Kate’s parents and brother Ryan, to Andy and Kate’s crush Matt, to their theater squad, Albertalli utilizes Kate to write compelling characters that only add to the story.

As with every Becky Albertalli book, readers are treated to an uplifting story with "Kate in Waiting.." Albertalli brings her familiar voice with a unique flair for this book. She brings another witty and charming feel-good story to the table, an ability she won’t soon let readers forget. Kate in Waiting is a book that will leave readers cheering for an encore.

There is very little that could be said about Becky Albertalli that hasn't already been said. She is just perfect at writing teenagers that are imperfect and flawed but who you root for even when they fall short. Kate and Anderson have the type of friendship that can really only exist in your teenage years. Reading along while they figure out how to grow as individuals while maintaining that friendship is sometimes difficult and heartbreaking, but also beautiful.

And then there are the romances. Albertalli writes teenagers falling in love and lust and everything in between in a way that few can match. Kate In Waiting lives up to her previous books completely.

When I begin reading a novel written by Becky Albertalli, I expect a story that has endearing characters, is centered on LGBT+ matters, and contains a large amount of joy. I was not disappointed in the slightest by Albertalli's new novel, 'Kate in Waiting.' Reading this novel in April of 2021 felt like reading science fiction—as if I had been transported to an alternate universe where the biggest issue for LGBT+ youth is whether your crush likes you, a girl, or your best friend, a boy. In this moment, it feels impossible to write a review of 'Kate in Waiting 'without the present moment looming large. That's why we need authors like Albertalli now more than ever.

Imagine coming home from summer camp...wait, no. Imagine that you and your best friend only have "mutual crushes"...right? Imagine that you live to be a part of the high school musical...getting the picture yet? Really, the only other thing that you need to know is that Kate and her best friend Andy have no idea whether their summer camp crush, Matt, is straight, gay, bi, pan, or something else. Once their senior year begins, though, it doesn't matter—until, of course, Matt shows up at their school. Double twist: Kate and Matt share another unexpected connection.

In 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,' Simon puts himself in a situation or two where real peril is possible, but Albertalli makes it clear that that is not the kind of novel that she writes. 'Kate in Waiting' is positioned to be 100% romcom. I didn't feel like I needed to brace for a sudden plot twist that would put Kate or her friends in any real danger. (Just the typical romcom peril that Molly, Julia, and Sandra have prepared us for.) This novel doesn't need life-threatening twists, and I don't believe that the stories Albertalli creates needs those kinds of twists either. Again, Albertalli's strength is creating narratives that are at once forward-looking but also could be our world today.

Without making too much out of an aspect of the novel that is supposed to not be made too much out of, my partner and I have talked about our mutual desire for novels in which queer characters are just that—characters. Their queerness is not a problem or the primary focus. Instead, they're just there on the page, living their lives. Can a trans character exist without flashing neon lights that shout, "This character is trans!" As it turns out, that is possible, and I love Albertalli for making that choice.

Students used to ask me, as they surely do every high school English teacher, "Why do we only read books where bad things happen to people?" The truth is, we can read novels where good things happen to good people. At a time when a small group of people who hold an inordinate amount of power over people's lives are making decisions about how we all should live, Albertalli reminds her readers that LGBT+ adolescents simply want to live. Kate, Andy, and their friends don't want to be social causes or crusades; they want to be adolescents.

I've said before that I want to live in Albertalli's world. Sure, not everything's perfect, but it doesn't have to be. I don't want to have to read the pages of a novel to find a world where LGBT+ adolescents can be who they are and love who they love. For now, though, I'm glad that we have Albertalli and novels like 'Kate in Waiting.'

This book is so incredibly cute! This is 100% a romance, but friendship is absolutely pivotal to every plot point, and that's a really refreshing thing to see. The cast of characters in this story is truly well-rounded and a lot of fun to see in action. The messages were heartfelt and the lessons Kate learns throughout the story are fresh and fun. And of course, the story is just absolutely adorable. So happy I got to read this one!

What were some of your favorite books as a teen? I loved the Paula Danziger books. And the Girls of Canby Hall. But we didn’t have books like YA books these days. These YA books today are incredible - with diverse characters, tackling real life issues, promoting social justice and equality and not shying away from the raw, unfettered emotions of teens.

And the pinnacle of this is @beckyalbertalli . Every single one of her books has completely blown me away. And I just love that my teenage daughter loves her books too. Kate in Waiting is no exception. It is the story of Kate, a drama geek Jewish high schooler in Atlanta (yes, Love, Simon vibes) who shares crushes with her best friend, Andy, who is Black and gay. It is all good until they both fall for the same guy in their school drama production. This book filled my heart. Their banter was utter perfection. I love that the eccentricities and quirkiness of the characters was embraced and they didn’t have to be the stereotypical cheerleader and jock like books from my day. Every emotion of the characters jumped from the page. These teens were bright, conscientious and aware and it confirmed my theory that if this is what teens today are reading and identifying with, there is so much hope in the world because these teens are the ones who are going to change the world. Thank you to @beckyalbertalli for writing books that portray the world that I want my daughter to be a part of and thrive in.

What happens when you and your best friend share everything and now you just want something for yourself?

Kate and Anderson are so close they even share crushes. But this shared crush w Matt might be more than their friendship can withstand.

With theater geeks, f-boys (if you’re feeling classy), annoying families, adorable dogs, and witty, loyal friends - all the characters in this book are smart, loving, and vulnerable. In the best way.

I love the world of Becky Albertalli - where friends share confidences from separate stalls in the (relatively) unused boys bathroom in the theater wing, where blocking the fall school play (I mean, musical) is all-consuming, and watching Tangled 23 times is completely acceptable behavior. (I STAN this Tangled obsession. Hard.)

I laughed out loud. Several times. (Raina’s prediction of a IG post was perfection.) I also cried. Hard. Through most of the last third of this book. Ms. Albertalli gets me. Really gets me. And I stayed up WAY too late to finish this one a couple of days ago. I just couldn’t leave these characters.

A treasure awaits you.

Kate and her best friend Anderson have been inseparable since childhood. They share everything, including mutual crushes on cute guys. When their summertime crush, Matt, transfers to their school at the start of junior year, it seems like they'll continue on as usual -- crushing and sharing all their thoughts about their dreamy boy. But when feelings get too real ,it becomes clear that someone will walk away with a broken heart. On top of boy drama, they've both been cast in leading roles in their school's musical, along with Matt and the rest of the friend group, including the jock out of water, Noah. It's a stressful time, filled with big changes -- will Kate and Anderson's friendship survive?

Kate in Waiting is purely delightful! Kate is an earnest protagonist with big feels and a tender heart. Her anxieties about performing and perception are achingly relatable, as is the discomfort she experiences when she's outside of her friend group and the bubble of theater. She's not a perfect person and she makes mistakes, but she also realizes her faults and makes amends. She's trying hard -- to be a good best friend, a good sister, a good singer and performer -- and to open her heart to new people.

The supporting cast of characters are wonderful and diverse: there's queer characters, characters of color, and Jewish characters (Kate's family and other characters are Jewish). While Kate is the main character and star of the book, Anderson is just as important. Their friendship is the bedrock of the story and, while romance is something they both fixate on, they know that what they have together is special. Throughout the book, Kate and Anderson show the importance of strong, lasting friendships based in honesty and love.

All in all, a fun - and funny - read about high school, musicals, crushes, first loves, dogs, and friends!

I have read all of Albertalli’s Simonverse books so I was looking forward to reading this upcoming YA release. However, at 400 pages I felt that the book was a bit too drawn out. The first 200 pages were very slow and uneventful for me. I did enjoy the second half a lot more though. I wanted to love this book especially with Albertalli’s use of diverse characters. Albertalli really does shine at making authentic and relevant teenage characters. Unfortunately, I felt that her downfall in this book was the incessant use of “f-boy” and “f*ckboy”. In one particular chapter, it was used four times in one paragraph alone. Overall, it was a cute story and I enjoyed the musical theater references but I found it to be a forgetful YA story. Regardless, I want to thank Netgalley and Harpercollins for the e-ARC.

Becky Albertalli has done it again with this upbeat YA book that will have teens wishing to see their own names in lights. While KATE IN WAITING has the classic hallmark of Becky Albertalli in a swoony romance you root for from the first page, the book truly shines when it comes to the depiction of teen friendships. Real, raw, funny, and honest, the friend group in this book is one so many teens will be able to connect with. I adored this book. Becky Albertalli’s fans will not be disappointed.

A sweet, funny story about first love, being yourself, and taking chances. I picked up this book because I have absolutely loved everything Albertalli has written, and was intrigued at the concept of “sharing crushes” with a best friend. I mostly enjoyed the book - the author writes teen drama/feelings/emotion like no one else, but I ultimately didn’t end up loving this one like I do her other works. I didn’t find myself loving either of the characters, and felt like they treated their mutual crush with a bit of disrespect - not even trying to find out if he was dating anyone, if he was queer, etc. The drama aspect of it was fun - I was a high school drama nerd - and I did enjoy who the characters ended up with at the end. This one just wasn’t for me, unfortunately. (But I’m glad it exists - queer characters by queer authors are so important!)

this book follows Kate as she and her best friend Anderson share everything, including crushes. so when they actually fall in love with the same guy, that’s not good. i love Becky Albertalli and all her work and this book was no exception. if you’re a theatre kid like me, or you just love her work, you’re gonna love this. POC, trans, bisexual, and gay representation, which is great as always. i really recommend it.

4.5/5 stars
Wow, just wow. I think this may be one of my favorite Becky Albertalli books yet. I absolutely adored this book and read it in just one sitting.

In this book, we have Kate and her best friend, Andy. They both went to this camp where they were hard crushing on this guy named Matt. Which they do a lot, having communal crushes is not rare in their friendship. But, when Matt shows up at their high school, things get complicated.

The characters in this book are just amazing. My personal favorite is Noah, he carries the book. He's funny and charming and just makes the book ten times better. Kate and Andy were also incredible main characters. Their friendship felt so real. They went through all the emotions and problems that came with crushing on the same boy. There was jealousy and happiness intertwined. Everything just made sense and clicked. Matt was a likable character, we were able to tell why both Kate and Andy liked him. He charmed the readers away.

The plot in this book was unreal. I mean best friends, crushing on the same guy. You just know a lot is about to go down. The plot in this book did not feel predictable. I honestly did not know who Matt was going to end up with or if he was gonna end up with either of them. The plot was fast paced and made me want to read more. The ending of this book also made sense. I love endings that fit the story, the ending did not leave me with questions and I think that makes for a good ending.

I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick and cute romance to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperTeen for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me an advanced copy of this to review! I love Becky Albertalli, and this is one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I am happy to say that it definitely lived up to the hype!

Right from the start, we get Albertalli's signature lovable characters. I immediately fell in love with Kate and Anderson and their little, diverse squad. Not only do we have Jewish main characters, Kate and Anderson (who is also Black), but also a trans character and other gay characters. Just like in Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, this is a squad you'll fall in love with and their love for theater. It's honestly contagious.

What I also loved about this was Kate's journey in finding confidence in herself. At the beginning of the book, she's content to stay in the background. But through her friends and their support, she realizes that she is pretty awesome. Everyone deserves friends like that. Even though the plot points were slightly predictable, I didn't care because I loved reading about these characters.

Finally, I loved the importance that Albertalli places on platonic love. I don't feel like that's ever emphasized enough in rom-coms, but it's front and center in this book. Platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones, and this romance gives equal importance to both. Next to the characters, that's probably my favorite thing about this book.

All in all, this will hit home with theater nerds everywhere. If you're looking for a love story focused on friendship, this is the book for you!

This book was a really fun read. It tells the story of Kate and Anderson, high school students, long-time best friends, and musical theater lovers. The typically have crushes on the same boys, which has always been harmless. But then Matt, their mutual crush from summer theater camp, moves to their town and all three of them are cast in the school musical -- and both Kate and Anderson realize having real feelings for the same boy is not so easy.

Becky Albertalli always delivers, and this was no exception. She deftly captures the challenges of navigating friendships and relationships and the difficulties all face in reconciling self-perception with how others see you.

Highly recommended!

Kate In Waiting by Becky Albertalli is about Kate and her best friend Anderson, who have a slightly codependent friendship, even going as far as to only crush on the same boys. They meet a cute boy, Matt, at theatre camp, but resign themselves to not seeing him again. He suddenly shows up at their school in the fall, and to their surprise, Kate’s mom is old friends with Matt’s mom. Things get more complicated when Kate and Matt are cast as romantic interests in the school musical.

This book was adorable. It highlights again Albertalli’s great way to write groups and teenage friendships. I saw a lot of my high school theatre self in her characters, and I’m a sucker for books taking place around a play or musical.

One thing I really appreciated is how flawed these characters were. They made mistakes, and things weren’t always picture perfect with tidy bows. I would highly recommend this book to any teenage theatre kids looking to see themselves in a book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advance Kindle copy of this book. It it out 4.20.21! All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Theater geek Kate and her best friend, Anderson, only have communal crushes. When their summer camp crush shows up at their high school for his senior year, they make a pact: they can both pursue him, and the other one can’t be mad. Ha. Meanwhile, “f-boy” (their friends’ code for jocks) Noah makes his way back into Kate’s life via the school musical, prompting her to think of him in a new way. I loved the diverse supporting cast. With a lot of language and some sexual references, I’ll go grades 8+ on this one.