Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for thie ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This was a really great read. It was attention getting from the beginning to the end. I love YA books and this was a great debut from this author. I cant wait to read more from this author. Now the ending had me wanting to scream but all in all a great book.

Okay, this was so good! The pacing was so well done, it really hooked me from the start. I did figure out the twist, which I don’t do a lot, but I still found it enjoyable.

This is such a fantastic YA thriller, and I will absolutely be reading more from this author in the future.

Well my hat is off to author Channelle Desamours! First time reader here and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This one packs a punch! A bit of a slow burn that was ramped up for quite the read. I thought this was deliciously dark and creepy. Well done.
Thank you NetGalley, Channelle Desamours and Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Needy Little Things kept me on my toes as I read. I really enjoyed the premise as a speculative reader. I enjoyed Sariyah's power and wish there was an opportunity to explore how this was established in her bloodline; although the disruption in intergenerational knowledge is a realstic impediment of knowing for descendants of enslaved people. Beyond that, I enjoyed the book all the way to the last few chapters where the reveal of the villain somewhat cheapens the novel. While I was taken off guard by the villian reveal, the reveal and the parts after it left more to be desired for me. But, the end of the novel, and possible foreshadowing toward a second book, brought me back in. All in all, I'd rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Needly Little Things had me hooked from the get-go. I loved Sariyah and her ability and compulsion to give people exactly what they need. I also loved how she not only navigated her friendships but also her family life as well

This book is fast-paced, full of twists and turns, and had me in its grips from beginning to end. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

I received an ARC of Needy Little Things from Netgalley. The publication date is February 5, 2025. This book is a YA mystery/thriller. The story focuses on Sariyah and her friend group. Sariyah has the ability to hear other peoples’ needs and this is overwhelming for her especially when she is in crowds. The only way to quiet her mind is to fulfill these needs therefore she carries a huge santa bag of items to give to people on a daily basis. Also, Sariyah’s friend Deja goes missing while her and her friends are at a music festival and Sariyah blames herself for her friend disappearing. The book touches on missing girls and how black missing girls are not given the same attention and media presence as white missing girls. The book has a lot of twist and turns and everyone is a suspect in Deja’s disappearance. I really enjoyed the story and also how it tackled a very difficult subject matter that we deal with in this country.

Sariyah, Malcolm, and Deja are their own little crew. Sariyah has special “powers” that allow her to hear the needs of strangers. So she carries around a bag of trinkets to pass out to strangers. She cannot hear the needs of the ones she loves, unless they’re in distress.

Excited to go to Afro Alt Music Festival, the teens have a night of fun until Deja goes missing. Just like Malcom’s twin went missing 5 years ago. The theme throughout this story is “When white girls go missing vs. when Black girls go missing.”

A lot of the middle of the book was repetitive and the explanation for the Santa Bag worked my nerves. Sometimes reading about the day to day life and activities of the teens felt pointless to the story. We got nervousness from a lot of people who ended up not being important to the story. And the people who were important to the mystery, we didn’t get to see their actions at all and that took away a lot for me.

I was really excited about this one, however, I was a little let down.
You can honestly read the first 20 pages, skip to 75% of the book and not miss a beat in between and the case will be solved for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this ebook/ARC for my honest review.

▪️Missing Teens
▪️Racism
▪️YA Mystery

This book hooked me from page one! I loved Sariyah and her supporting cast, loved the limitations and effects of her powers, loved the vividness of Desamours’ Atlanta and its Black community. Once the plot hit, I was desperate to know what came next, and Desamours’ prose kept the pages turning. The mystery presented was a complex one, with a web of context, complications, and red herrings.

In particular, I really loved Sariyah’s relationships with her mom and little brother, and thought the book’s portrayal of her mother’s depression was heartbreaking, real, and extraordinarily well done.

Beyond the surface, Desamours digs deep into the themes of what happens when a Black girl goes missing. Who reacts and how—and who doesn’t. There’s a reason it’s called Missing White Woman Syndrome. The characters’ grief and anger at this inequity was extremely understandable and the vivid writing meant this grief and anger hit me like a ton of bricks, adopted as my own.

If I had to pick a flaw, it would involve some of the endgame revelations and climax action. While I really vibed with the reveal of certain characters' certain bad idea plan—stupid as hell, sure, but acknowledged as such by Sariyah and the narrative, and <I>boy</I> were they coming from a place—I mostly rolled my eyes at the ultimate bad guy. It’s not that he was completely un-foreshadowed, but he definitely could have used a bit more groundwork. And in a uniquely three-dimensional cast, he stood out as a bit of a caricature. Given how much I loved the rest of the book, the climax definitely didn’t ruin it for me, but a more nuanced and interesting villain would have kept it at a five star rating.

That said, if I’m right about seeing a sequel hook at the end there, I’m already chomping at the bit. <I>Needy Little Things</I> is a terrific debut, and I can’t wait to see what Desamours does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.

It's so rare to come across a book that is truly unique and also exceptionally well-done.

Our heroine, Sariyah, can't read people's minds but can hear what they need.

Sometimes, she hears simple things like pencils or hair ties, but other times, she picks up on needs like pepper spray or knives.

Sariyah isn't privy to why each person needs these objects; sometimes, the aftermath can be bloody.

When her best friend, Deja goes missing, Sariyah tries to leverage her ability to get information out of the collection of suspicious characters in their town.

Even though I'm not quite a young adult anymore, I thoroughly enjoyed this YA novel!

Thank you so much #netgalley for this ARC of #needylittlethings

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.