Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good speculative fiction/mystery with great meaning behind it to give positive messages to the youth of today. We have a lot of side stories that develop as well throughout the book, and though sometimes this slowed down the pace a little but they ultimately provided more depth to the story, including the ending. The characters were all well developed. Sariyah was very interesting with her supernatural power that aided her in helping to solve the disappearance of her friend along with OCD which is troubling for her, but embraces in the long run.

The main message of the story is a very important topic of today and though I don't usually like social topics or politics (unless it's fantasy politics) in the books that I read it was done very well and shows that no matter the person, everyone is important to find when thought to be missing and the same effort needs to be put into finding one individual as there is another. I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend a read through!

Sariyah, a Black teen with premonition-like powers, carries a purse she calls her "Santa bag," filled with random items that somehow always meet others' needs. Her gift—hearing exactly what people need—seems harmless until a music festival turns her life upside down. When her best friend goes missing, Sariyah is thrown back into a dark memory: her friend Tessa disappeared years ago, too. Fueled by grief and the painful truth that missing Black girls often receive little attention or care, Sariyah embarks on a desperate quest for answers.

I loved this book for how it tackled important issues. It reminded me how Black voices are marginalized and how, if we want change, we must amplify them. Sariyah’s determination to push her friend’s disappearance into the spotlight was inspiring. The title *Needy Little Things* was clever, layered in meaning. On one hand, it reflected Sariyah’s ability to sense and fulfill people’s needs. On the other, it captured the way the kids, especially from the mom's perspectives, can feel overwhelming in their dependence.

The Santa bag was a standout detail for me—it was adorable and relatable. I even started calling my own mom purse a Santa bag! I also really connected with Sariyah’s sensory overwhelm and need to block out the world. As an autistic person, I know that feeling of being bombarded by the “neediness” of others. Earbuds became my lifeline, just as they are for her.

While the pacing fluctuated for me at times, the twists made up for it. I guessed one, but others genuinely surprised me—always a win as a thriller fan. *Needy Little Things* strikes a powerful balance between heart, suspense, and social commentary. If you love books that make you think *and* keep you guessing, this one’s for you.

This book was a joy to read!! I loved the characters and the setting! Sariyah's power is very unique. I found this story engaging. There were twists that I never saw coming. This read can't be missed!!

Thrillers always stress me out. Why tf are you going back to thr place that was shady? Why tf are you putting yourself in bad situations when you should know not to? I do not like being anxious while reading tyvm.

I did like the aspect of her magic and how it affected her life. How her mom had depression and how it affects not only the person who has it, but the people who love them. But it wasn't enough for me to continue.

I was gifted this thru NG. That is my review.

Thank you, Netgalley, Wednesday Books and Channelle Desamours for this ARC!

In short, this story is a powerful exploration of love, loss, and courage. It challenges readers to think beyond the surface, and I cannot recommend it enough. This is more than just a story; it's an urgent reminder of the voices that need to be heard and the connections that bind us all. A must-read!

4.5/5 🌟

A sharp, genre-bending blend of mystery and fantastical/supernatural elements with unique, relatable and resonating Black girl power.

This book touched on so many relevant issues like the missing persons cases involving Black and brown girls, education, mental health, complex nuances of family, friendship and so much more .

This is a fascinating fast paced YA suspense with the perfect dose of supernatural intrigue, raw evocative and sophisticated storytelling I think fans of Liselle Sambury and Joelle Wellington will appreciate.

I’m looking forward to reading more from Chanelle Desamours

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Netgalley , and the author for a complimentary copy of this ebook. I am leaving a voluntary review. All thoughts and ideas expressed are my own.

This book was about a teen girl who has this power to sense what others need. Through this story we watch as she struggles with wondering if this power is any good to her or if she is just cursed. She struggles to see much good of this power especially when yet another black teen girl goes missing and the police are lagging in investigating. It’s up to her and her friends to spread the word and try all they can to ensure everyone knows this girl has gone missing. As we near the end of the book the author gives a major twist that brings both relief and concern. This book teaches on many different topics ranging from illnesses, family disconnect, grief, trust, and school achievement. This is a great read for late middle schoolers and high school students.

Needy Little Things, grips you from the first page. Sariyah can hear the needs of people around her, except those close enough to be called family and friends. But this also means she is flooded all day by tiny, buzzing needs that make it hard to concentrate on the things that matter. When one of her friends disappears from a festival, Sariyah and her friends will do anything to find her. This YA novel is both a thrilling ride and a thoughtful exploration of social themes like racism in the media, particularly the disappearance of BIPOC girls, the mental health struggles that can spiral into financial difficulties, and the impact of chronic illness. This was a fun, engaging read that doesn't shy away from tackling tough subjects.

This book immediately gave me That’s So Raven, Nancy Drew, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Vibes!

The premise of the book drew me in completely. Sariyah’s unusual ability to sense the needs of people around her and she’s trying to find the items for them without people asking if she is clairvoyant (hints the That’s So Raven vibes I got). I compared the two because it was funny when her friends told her that even if she get what they need she doesn’t know what it’s going to be used for just like when Raven would have a vision and get into trouble because it’s not what it seems. The one worded “needs” would constantly float around inside her mind until she fulfilled it. Sariyah has developed ways to cope but she still struggles to focus on school and be a normal kid.

The storyline engaged and unpacked a lot in between the lines in a sense of bringing light to sickle cell, depression, trade school, and exploring the way missing black girls are overlooked in society compared to others. It was an unique YA mystery and I’m excited to read future books from the author!

Thank you @netgalley @elledesamours @macmillan.audio @macmillanreads and @wednesdaybooks for allowing me to review both the ALC and ARC of Needy Little Things!

3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Channelle Desamours is a new author for me, but I was drawn to the premise of Needy Little Things. And overall, I’m fairly impressed with it, especially in how it explores the way missing Black girls are often overlooked, especially compared to their white counterparts, and how that can be a danger in and of itself when the main people who care are other Black girls and the community impact that has as a result.
Sariyah is fairly sympathetic, and while I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the incorporation of the speculative elements, with her ability to find mundane items people are looking for. I loved how the book explores the psychological impact this gift has upon her even in ordinary circumstances, with both positives, like being able to help her disabled younger brother, and negatives, like it pushing her to avoid crowded spaces due to everyone’s thoughts in her head being distracting. However, it all comes down to her being a good-hearted person who will go to extreme lengths for others, something that plays out over the course of the book.
Plot-wise, it wasn’t exactly a twisty mystery like I hoped, and the middle lagged quite a bit. The second half was comparatively much more fast-paced than the first, however, although I do have some mixed feelings about the ending.
However, I do appreciate the intent, and the themes and overall message shine through in spite of any flaws in the execution. I am eager to read whatever Channelle Desamours writes next! I recommend this book if you’re interested in a thriller with a speculative twist centering the issues Black girls face.

4.5 stars.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a compelling young adult debut.

Due to her unusual supernatural power, Sariyah Lee Bryant has a small group of friends. She has been friends with Malcolm Hawkins for years but Deja Nelson is a new addition to her circle. So is her co-worker, Jude Abrams. Sariyah and her younger brother Josiah live with their mother in Atlanta and their father during the summer on their family farm. Their parents are not divorced; the move is due to a need to be closer to medical care for Josiah’s sickle cell disease.

Sariyah’s unusual power is her ability to sense other people’s needs. One word “needs” float around inside her mind all day long when she is in school or crowded areas. Sariyah has developed ways to cope but she still struggles to focus on school and her teachers.

Sariyah and her friends celebrate Malcolm’s eighteenth birthday by going to a music festival. Her concern about their safety keeps them together most of the day. During the girls' short separation from the boys, Deja vanishes while Sariyah momentarily zones out. Feeling responsible for what happened to their friend, Sariyah convinces Malcolm and Jude to investigate Deja's disappearance on their own.

Needy Little Things is a fast-paced and unique young adult mystery. Sariyah is a wonderful character whose homelife is not perfect and she shoulders a lot of responsibility. Her superpower is unusual and she is very intuitive. Malcolm and Jude are likable young men but can Sariyah completely trust them to help her find Deja? The storyline is engaging and shines a much-needed light in the disparity in the way the media and police handle BIPOC disappearances vs white women. Channelle Desamours is a fresh new voice in the young adult genre and I am looking forward to reading her future books.

This was such a great speculative fiction/thriller/coming of age read! I read it in one sitting and still wanted more when I was done-- there better be a second book after that ending!!

Needy Little Things is well-written and filled with plot twists, well-written characters, and eloquent social commentary. The thriller/speculative fiction genre is not one I usually read, but this might persuade me to get into it.

Overall, no notes. This book is definitely worth a read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was wonderful! I loved the writing style, the characters, the world-building…everything about it was top-notch. I will definitely be recommending this book!

Welcome to Atlanta, where Sariyah Lee Bryant hears what people need—literally. Her unique gift lands her in a whirlwind adventure when her friend Deja vanishes after a music festival. With a mix of magical realism and edge-of-your-seat mystery, Sariyah teams up with her friends to unravel the secrets of the city. It's a thrilling ride through friendship, family challenges, and a world that often overlooks the needs of Black girls. Buckle up for a story that's as heartwarming as it is suspenseful!

I dived into this book headfirst and, wow, what a roller coaster of emotions it was! There’s that one character who really got under my skin—ugh, they were selfish and dumb. While I get their motives, the way they went about things was downright infuriating.

On the bright side, the mystery was so well-crafted that I never figured out the real twist until it slapped me in the face. The joy was in the journey of putting the pieces together, bit by bit. And Sariyah? Absolutely loved her! Learning that this isn’t the end of her story is the cherry on top. I live for a cliffhanger that leaves me eagerly waiting for the next installment!

great book and I loved the action and the romance . I loved seeing the friends and family. I loved that they were able to figure things out. Overall a great book .

Sariyah has a gift (or a curse): she can sense what tangible items people need before they can. Usually, it is something non-threatening like gum or a comb, so when she senses her friend Deja will need pepper spray, it causes worry – and more so when Deja goes missing at a music festival. Now she is on a quest to find her friend.

As a protagonist, Sariyah is wonderful. With the weight of the world on her shoulders, she seems much older than her teenage years, and readers will want to root for her, as well as hug her. Her relationship with her brother, who suffers from sickle cell anemia, is touching, and her love and loyalty to her friends are relatable. It is not surprising Desamours is also a teacher, as she depicts these traits realistically.

Channelle Desamours has written a fantastic and thought-provoking mystery. In addition to creating a great main character, she also sheds more light on an often-overlooked reality. Focusing on the fact that missing people get a lot more press when they are pretty, young white females, the reader is forced to acknowledge and question why. Desamours handles this beautifully, leading the way for reflection and discussion. This was a strong debut.

Needy Little Things is a unique and compelling story blending mystery, social commentary, and magical realism. Sariyah can hear the needs of those around her, an ability that proves to be both blessing and curse as she grapples with the challenges of high school, friendships, and personal and community struggles. When her friend, Deja, goes missing, Sariyah is determined not to let Deja become another forgotten missing Black girl.

Needy Little Things tackles a lot, but does it well. The setting, characters, and relationships are all well-developed and feel authentic and vivid. Desamours also addresses complex social issues in an engaging way, showing the intertwining of the personal with the societal. The pacing was a little uneven; it dragged a bit in the middle, and the ending felt a little rushed and abrupt. But overall, the story was impactful and an excellent read.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an advance review copy.

This was great! I loved the pacing and the character work concerning the FMC was superb. I had some issues with the side characters.

Such a good read! Well written with relatable and flawed characters and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. The main character was so strong and smart. The twist was crazy. I love when I can't figure it out and every time I thought I knew who the "bad guy" was I was proven wrong and I would have never thought about the twist that happened. This is definitely one of those everybody is hiding something but who has the most dangerous secret type of books. I really felt for Sariyah. She had so much to deal with at such a young age but her character was written so well in that there a great balance between her strength and her vulnerability. Enjoyed it from start to finish!

Sariyah has a supernatural power…only it usually feels more like a curse. The Atlanta high-school student can sense exactly what the people around her are about to need, whether it’s chapstick, dental floss or an epipen. While she’s saved the day several times, she’s falling behind in school because her head is so full of the needs of people around her. They’re intrusive thoughts she can’t get rid of until the need is met.

Then one day, as she’s heading to a music festival with friends, she senses a particularly ominous need coming from her friend Deja: pepper spray. Sariyah gives Deja a spare pepper spray key chain and resolves to keep a close eye on her, but the girls get separated and Deja goes missing. Now, Sariyah must harness her powers—and her innate intelligence—to figure out what happened to her friend.

This book was an incredibly fun ride, and also points to the very real discrepancy between the attention the cases of missing white girls and those of missing BIPOC girls receive from the public and media. As someone with OCD (but sadly no superpowers), I thought that Sariyah’s powers were a really interesting take on intrusive thoughts. Sariyah’s mother’s depression is also depicted in a very realistic way that I think a lot of readers will find relatable. But as much as it sheds light on very real issues, this book is at its core a fun and incredibly readable mystery story. I recommend this one to teens AND adults.