This book was absolutely delightful! I love the parallel timelines and the exploration of "What If".I especially love the choice ending and thought that it was a unique and magnificent choice! I love queer rom coms, especially ones that explore identity and as a young queer, part-Jewish woman myself, I could relate a lot to the story. The plot was fast paced and well developed, while the characters were likeable and interesting. This is a MUST READ for the summer!

What an adorable, fluffy and supper queer read! I love YA contemporary books and this one did not disappoint. Natalya is our bisexual, Jewish and artistic main character. Her parents are divorced and live on different coasts. Nat has to make a decision to spend the summer in NYC with her dad or spend the summer with her mom in LA. We get both perspectives of what would happen with either choice. LA is full of good food, bonding with her mom, and a very cute boy. NYC is full of trying things out of her comfort zone, hanging out with her friends, and a very cute punk rock girl. How can a girl choose?

What I enjoyed:
- I can totally relate to Natalya because I also stay up way too late reading thrillers. I too am an insatiable bisexual. As well as being told being an artist wasn't a good career choice
- Loved the AAPI/Filipino representation on the side characters. Natalya's best friend Camilla is Filipino. Being Filipino myself, I am always excited to see the representation!
- I loved both romances! Honestly, they both were adorable. I couldn't chose one to root for. We have enemies to lovers on one side. Then chance encounters over and over again on the other. I loved seeing both M/F and F/F romance! This made my little bi heart swell with fluff and smiles.
- The dual perspectives on what if for both choices
- The ending was perfection

This was the perfect Pride Month read 💜 Seriously, I adored this book and love everything about it. I look forward to reading more in the future by this author. 4 stars out of 5! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC of this delightfully split narrative with so many possibilities wrapped inside! I had read the synopsis for this novel once the invite to read it had been sent over to me; so I knew there would be alternating timelines-- but I had no idea how such an endeavor would play out! Much to my awe and enjoyment, it was absolutely seamless and perfectly easy to keep both plots in mind. You even get to choose your own ending, which thrilled me to bits. It's such a fun conclusion to a very cozy read, and I literally could not put it down.

This novel centers around Natalya, a bi and Jewish young adult who comes from a bit of a broken home. The warm season has reared its shining head, and as such, Nat must make a choice. She can either stay with her father in New York or visit her mother in California. She is torn, and Dahlia Adler lets her be torn. What follows are two stories of summer love that I absolutely loved to watch unfold. In one, Nat finally makes a move on her crush; the Redhead. Also known as Elly, the Redhead opens up a world of music, art, and sapphic romance. In the other, Nat goes to intern for her mother's company and meets Adam, a chef-in-the-making. He shows her the vibrant social scene of Los Angeles, and they make an incredible team in the workforce. Outside of these things, he also finds his way into her heart.

in each timeline, Natalya not only finds lasting flirtations, but also a deeper connection with her estranged mother and a path to pursuing her gift of art. It's not just a book about love-- it's also a coming of age story that shows how everything happens for a reason, and that if it's meant to be, it will be. I fell in love with the cast of characters here; how diverse they all were and how full of life. I could imagine these people being my own friends, my own family. Dahlia has crafted a beautiful YA novel that is going to be the pride of Pride Month. I can't imagine an easier or more fun read. I am looking forward to seeing which ending everyone decides on! For me, as Camila says, "Por que no los dos?"

I received a copy from NetGalley and the Publisher for review.

Guys, Gals, and everyone in between, this book is definitely one for those who love questioning the "what ifs" in life. It follows Natalya, a Jewish Bisexual teen, whose parents are divorced and what happens if she were to choose either parent to spend with for the summer. There are two plot lines to follow, but in the end you can read whichever love interest you choose to, or both to see how everything ends. As a bisexual myself I appreciate that the author gives us the opportunity to see both in the same story. I think it allows the character to have depth in different ways with the two different love interests and by the end it's hard to choose who you'd actually want Natalya to end up with. (If I'm being honest I think it'd be a fun marketing tactic for some retailers to only print one ending and others print the other because if I'm being honest I'd buy it both ways).

While I really enjoyed the love interests and their respective journeys with Natalya, ironically enough I wish her journey with the respective parents would have been developed more. I kept hoping throughout both timelines that we would have gotten to see more development with Natalya and her mom's relationship, and we just didn't and that part of the story fell a little flat for me. Overall, though I think it's a really good story and I think I'll end up purchasing it for myself.

1 Sentence Summary: Natalya Fox has an impossible decision to make: stay in New York with her dad for the summer, or go to Los Angeles to intern at her mom’s company? Whatever she chooses, it will impact the rest of her life; but, what if we got to see both choices play out?

My Thoughts: This was fun and cute and a perfect lighthearted summer read! The whole dual timeline thing was really cool and I loved how we got to see both paths that could have happened. I especially liked this because with all the choices we have to make in life it can be so stressful, but sometimes there’s no wrong decision and you can create a great life anywhere you are. I also liked the idea of how you can be compatible with multiple people and there’s no “one true love” soulmate of your life. Personally I don’t find the concept of soulmates that romantic, because it’s basically just an arranged marriage but by the universe. It’s choosing someone and continuing to choose that person forever and always that’s more romantic to me.

My biggest complaints were that sometimes the pop culture references got a little too much, and that it was really hard to keep track of all the characters. Probably because there were two stories playing out simultaneously, there were just a lot of characters and names to keep track of.

Overall I really enjoyed this, and the Jewish and bisexual representation was fantastic as well!

(Oh, and also all the descriptions of the food made me so hungry so be prepared for that.)

Recommend to: Fans of cute YA summer romances featuring art, coffee shops, food trucks, music, internships, and bookstores.

(Warnings: swearing; sexual content; parental separation)

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and OrangeSky Audio for the ARC & audioARC of this!

I absolutely loved it. The idea that one choice can make both a huge change in your life and that some things were just meant to be stood out to me while reading this. I loved the characters and was rooting for her relationships, both with her parents and potential love interests. I especially liked all the food talk!

Going Bicoastal is the first book that I read by Dahlia Adler, and I'm definitely going to read more by her. This book was too cute and I loved the whole concept behind it. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.

I really enjoyed Natalya as a main character, I felt like I was able to relate to her as a socially awkward bi myself. I really enjoyed both love interests and what they brought out in her. I genuinely couldn't choose between Elly and Adam and ended up reading both of their endings and felt so giddy about them. I loved Elly and Adam, and how respectful they were toward Nat and her religion. Like the first Dinner Party, she went to when Adam wasn't going to eat something he was really excited about because it wasn't Kosher??? 🥺🥺🥺

I really enjoyed how seamless both storylines were and how Nat grew in both very similar yet different ways in it. I loved reading the story from both perspectives and watching her come to the same conclusion about what she wants to do with her life. As someone who up until a couple of years ago didn't know what she wanted to do with her life, even in her 20s it made my heart so full watching her figure it out.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book and I hope everyone enjoys this book when it comes out June 13th!

Natalya must decide between spending the summer with her dad at home in New York City and traveling to Los Angeles to spend the summer with her mom. Each has it’s own possibilities so what does she choose? Both. After the first couple chapters the book switches between the timeline where Natalya stays and the one where she goes. In New York finally works up the courage to talk to Elly, the cute redhead she’s been crushing on. In Los Angeles she starts hanging out and dating Adam, the other intern at her mom’s marketing firm. The book does not pick which timeline was real and which one wasn’t allowing the reader to pick which one they want.

I really enjoyed this book. Young adult books are hit and miss for me but this one worked. I honestly enjoyed both timelines. In addition to Natalya being bi, the book is filled with other queer characters, making this a wonderful read for Pride. Additionally, Natalya’s Jewish faith is a prominent feature for much of the book. I liked the choose your own adventure ending because i could see myself rereading this book and picking a different storyline and ending to be rooting for each time.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Natalya has to make a choice. She can either go spend her summer with her estranged mom in LA or stay with her dad in NYC. And turns out that choice will impact her life in more ways than one. And we get to see all the ways!

I actually had no idea this was a "Sliding Doors" novel because I don't read summaries. I just saw "Dahlia Adler" and I'm like "Yes please". Could have I guessed it from the cover? Probably, but here we are. I really loved this one. I was enthralled from the first chapter to the last and truly loved both timelines, I can't lie I have a little preference for the NYC one because of reasons but overall, both were great. Dahlia really made me care about so many people in such a short time, that's talent. The main character was great, the love interests were layered and captivating and I somehow even cared about the parents, and the friends and so much more. I also just had a great time with the entire concept of the book.
So yes, another banger by Dahlia Adler and I cannot wait for anything she writes next.

This book is cleverly written, thoughtful, and I enjoyed the journey of seeing both sides of the outcome; what a wonderful YA book. I caution you to read the synopsis first, as there is a potential Self Harm Trigger.

Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler is my most anticipated Queer YA Romantic Comedy this Summer; perfect for June Pride Month! The alternate timeline, and sliding door plots were easy to follow but have you invested the whole way through.
The action takes place on both sides of America; allowing for a change in atmosphere, but still having the big city vibes in both. Switching between living with either one of her parents, and finding a different love interest really makes you think about all the choices one makes in life; all the little things adding up to find a life that could be completely different, but just as fulfilling. If you end up like me, you’ll find yourself needing more of this book, and potentially more snacks (due to all the food references).

While the sliding door effect might seem like a best-of-both-worlds sorta situation, the divergence of the two options was never really explained or weaves into the overall narrative. There was no Groundhog Day-esque or magic realism/speculative explanation, instead we were left treading through each story, unsure of what exactly the point was. Who was I supposed to root for? What goals did I most want to be met? But above all, which version was true?

It was very difficult to have a vested interest in two romances when you're being ping-ponged back and forth between opposite coasts. Each chapter was cute and made me want to read more until we were transported back into the other story. While the flow was disrupted by the structure, it is almost justified by the cleverness of a bi protagonist being on two coasts (ie BIcoastal!)

I suppose the message here is that different versions of the same happiness can be true, but it's hard to hold on to that when I'm wondering what exactly the point of the last 336 pages were.

Structure aside, I do have to admit that creating two compelling romantic interests and stories in one go is very impressive. I enjoyed both Elly and Adam Rose as love interests, and it was difficult to decide which one I liked more. In fact, all of the characters in "Going Bicoastal" were equally delightful, and they added a certain charm to their story through their witty repertoire and shining personalities.

Additionally, the tidbits of Nat's self-discovery that littered each story were unexpected joys, and I found the moments where they did overlap to be equally rewarding. She was boldly bi and Jewish, and the moments where she shared Shabbat dinner with friends or matchmaker-ed couples (more like predicated via gaydar) were vivid and honest.

Likewise, the writing was another light of the story. It managed to keep things fresh and young feeling, without being overly pop culture-laden or cringy. The tone was perfectly summery, and it matched Nat's energy in a way that seemed both confident and self assured in what it hoped to accomplish. Of course, this was expected given my enjoyment of Adler’s other works, "Cool For the Summer" and "Home Field Advantage"; however, "Going Bicoastal" might be Adler's strongest showing yet. The two narratives meant that a tight writing ship was ran, plus it had all of the zest of her previous works.

While the creative concept of "Going Bicoastal" makes for a unique summer read, in execution, it doesn't quite meet its potential. However, if you're able to put a bit of wondering aside, Adler’s 2023 release manages to be both fresh and fun through its lighthearted writing and fun characters.

Dahlia Adler has done it again! I adored this - the premise was amazing, and it was delivered so so well! I’ve been in such a rom-com mood, and this was the perfect thing for it. Loved, and can’t wait to recommend!!

This was overall super adorable, but the dual timeline thing was a bit lost on me, since it feels like there was no real closure

When I was younger, one of my favorite types of book were the choose your own adventures. The books that made you skip a bunch of pages and would give you exactly what you wanted, or didn’t want. This book gave me that same feeling but took away the anxiety of skipping around because we follow two storylines - Nat who goes to LA for the summer and takes an internship at her mom’s office and Tal who stays in NYC for the summer and finally talks to the Redhead she’s been crushing on.

Adler does a phenomenal job and keeping both storylines/universes easy to follow, I mean using different nicknames was so smart and simple! In LA, Nat interns alongside Adam and they start off on the wrong foot. I love a light enemies to lovers moment because if someone is fawning over you at your worst, it’s only uphill. The chemistry and banter between them was magnetic and the found family in LA was so beautifully written. In NYC, Tal takes on some odd jobs and finally talked to the mysterious Redhead, Elly, who turns Tal’s summer into a fun-filled adventure. Watching Tal come to terms with her future was so rewarding because Adler does a great job mirroring this in both universes.

Rewriting scenes from a slightly different lens is hard to keep the reader engaged. Nobody wants to read the same thing over and over. Adler does a great job at keeping this to a minimum and summarizing the similar dialogue. Although there are moments where I wished things weren’t the same, I understand the message Adler wanted to convey with this novel.

This was such a delightful, queer, wholesome read with amazing representation. As always, check content and triggers before starting this book. Also, this book will make you VERY hungry.

4.5+ stars

I love Dahlia Adler’s writing, and this book was no exception. The premise was intriguing, and although I think I expected the ending to be a bit more definitive, I kind of loved how it finished. The whole story was a super fun YA summer romance, and I especially appreciated the references to music, Poe, and other literature/cultural elements. I also enjoyed what had to be a quick allusion to the writer’s Home Field Advantage, another book I loved; I know there were other references that I missed, so one day when I have a chance read the rest of the author’s books, I’m sure I’ll be able to appreciate them as well. All in all, this was a great book featuring a bisexual Jewish protagonist who is safe and confident in her identity, and I’m looking forward to purchasing a copy for my classroom library.

“Going Bicoastal” by Dahlia Adler is an engaging queer rom-com that takes readers on a delightful journey of self-discovery and the complexities of relationships. In a unique Sliding Doors-style narrative, author Dahlia Adler presents readers with two parallel realities, allowing them to explore the different paths and possibilities that Natalya’s life could take.

The first reality keeps Natalya in New York, where she finally connects with the girl of her dreams: the enigmatic redhead she has been harboring a crush on for ages. This storyline allows the author to delve into the complexities of Natalya’s emotions and the challenges of navigating a long-held attraction. The blossoming relationship between Natalya and Elly is portrayed with authenticity and sensitivity, capturing the exhilarating highs and the nerve-wracking uncertainties of a new relationship.

In the second reality, Natalya embarks on a journey to Los Angeles, reuniting with her estranged mother and interning at her mother’s company. The vividly described setting of L.A. serves as the backdrop for Natalya’s personal and professional growth, as she navigates through the vibrant city and encounters Adam, an intriguing fellow intern and aspiring chef. The chemistry between Natalya and Adam is palpable, creating a tender and passionate romance that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

What makes “Going Bicoastal” shine is its depiction of the queer experience. The novel celebrates diversity, showcasing the richness and complexity of LGBTQ+ relationships while emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and embracing one’s true desires.

While the dual narrative structure adds depth and intrigue to the story, there are moments when the transitions between the two realities could have been smoother, occasionally causing a slight disruption in the overall flow of the novel. However, this minor drawback does not detract from the book’s ability to captivate readers.

Natalya is faced with an impossible choice: spend the summer with her semi-estranged mother in LA, or spend the summer in NYC working for her dad, while her best friend is off in Puerto Rico. A part of her wants to reconnect with her mother, but a part of her is happy right where she is...

So, we see her make both of these choices. In alternating timelines, Tal stays in New York, and Nat goes to LA.
New York has the redhead Tal had been obsessing over for months; LA has Adam, the other intern at her internship. New York has her friends and routines with her father; LA has new friends and bonding moments with her mother.

It took me a little while to get into this book, just because I kept wanting more of whichever timeline I was in, but ultimately I really liked it. I loved how the two timelines were, in some ways, the exact same story, and in some ways complete opposites.

Going Bicoastal is a sweet, fun read about a bi girl doing her best and falling in love--with two different people, in two different cities, living with two different parents.
I found myself a bit nervous toward the end because I really couldn't choose which I wanted to be the "true" timeline--but the penultimate chapter ends in a way that works for both--and Dahlia Adler included an ending chapter for each of the timelines, like a choose-your-own-adventure ending, which I loved. I read both, but honestly even without that final chapter of each, the conclusion is really satisfying.

Going Bicoastal is the must-read Queer YA Contemporary Romance of the summer! It made me giddy. I loved it! That may seem like a bold proclamation, but I mean it from the depths of my soul. I absolutely adored it, from the first chapter to the last.

In this story, our main character is Natalya, a bi Jewish girl, who lives with her Dad, a mathematics Professor in NYC. Her estranged Mom works in advertising and lives in L.A. With summer approaching, Natalya needs to make a big decision. Her Mom wants her to go to L.A. to live with her for the summer.

They've barely spoken in years and going to stay with her Mom, means leaving everything she knows and loves behind; including her Dad and the red-headed girl she's been crushing on. Natalya can see the other side too though. It could be a chance to repair her relationship with her Mom. Does she want that? And the opportunity to explore new interests and opportunities; to get out of her comfort zone.

It's such an important choice. How will she ever be able to make it? She has a tough time making regular impact choices on a regular day...

She can't choose. So then, in the best use of the Sliding Doors plot device since, well, Sliding Doors, we the Reader, get to watch both choices playing out parallel to one another via alternating chapters.

We see Tal in NYC, breaking out of her shell, talking to the girl, taking on new interests and potentially healing things with her Mom through a long-distance option. We see Nat in L.A., living with her Mom for the first time in years, working at her Mom's business, meeting an interesting boy who also is working as an intern at her Mom's office, and befriending others in the L.A. Queer and Foodie communities.

Natalya's learning so much about herself and the plethora of new experiences are helping her understand what she may want for herself in the future.

Y'all, Adler absolutely crushed the construction of this story. While it may sound confusing, it is so seamless, it makes perfect sense as it's unfolding. I never found myself scratching my head or feeling like I was missing something. It's easy in the moment to just coast along with Natalya on her journey.

It's also fun developing opinions on which situation you would prefer. I was Team NYC from the start, and pretty much stayed that way throughout, although the LA scene definitely grew on me due to the all the delicious sounding food and super friendly people.

The writing is engaging and keeps you wanting to know more. I desperately wanted to know what was going to ultimately happen. As I got closer to the end, I wondered how Adler was going to be able to wrap it up. I loved the ending. It was such a great choice in my opinion. I feel like this might not be for everyone, but I fully support the direction Adler went with it. My heart fills with joy even thinking about it.

Honestly, I appreciated so much how unapologetically sweet and hopeful this story is. Everyone deserves a happy ending, and I think everyone can find one here. I definitely recommend this to YA Romance Readers, or anyone looking for a fun and unique Queer story. Be prepared to smile.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. 10-out-of-10 recommend!

🌟🌟🌟🌟
“Going Bicoastal” was such a cute romance! The book opens with Natalya Fox (also known as Tal) trying to decide if she’ll stay in NYC with her father over the summer, or travel to California to stay with her mother. From there, the two paths diverge into the different timelines that accompany each decision.

Along her adventures with her friends and family come two different love interests: Elly, the redhead girl in New York that Tal has been crushing on for ages; and Adam, a boy that Tal meets at the internship her mom arranged in California. I really loved how Tao’s bisexuality doesn’t act as a source of trauma or character development for her (and neither is it erased by the people in her life). It reminded me a bit of how “Schitt’s Creek” also portrayed different sexualities, and this representation is beautiful to read.

I personally am not the biggest fan of the “two timelines” trope in media, but I think this story handled it well for the most part. I didn’t love the “choose your own adventure” ending, but I can understand how it worked for the overall structure of the book. I would be interested to read more from this author if the other elements within the story are included within one timeline.

Overall this is a fun and light-hearted read! It releases in three days on the 13th—just in time for Pride month! 🏳️‍🌈

A delightfully queer romance perfect for a summer read!

And what makes it so special you ask? The dual timelines, the Jewish rep, the queer pride, and the relatable MC!

This was my first Dahlia Adler book, and I can guarantee that it will not be my last. I loved the Jewish representation, the cultural and traditional education sprinkled in the book, and the fact that our FMC gets to explore her Jewish identity throughout the book. As I am typing this I realize that I need to emphasize that the Jewish rep in this book is intertwined so beautifully into the story it just feels organic, and I love that.

It was so interesting to follow Natalya on her journey to self-discovery both in her romantic life and in her professional one. It was so nice to see her struggle to find herself in adulthood, to find her place in the world, and to find herself within her relationships (both romantic and familial). Once you get into the groove of the two timelines, its easy to follow the two directions of the story, and its cool to see how in some points the two timelines converge. It gave off a Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors vibe, but more fun and cozy.

Both timelines are written so well. The story is well paced, and the writing is very entertaining. I could not recommend this book enough!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martian's Press for the eARC!