3.5-4 stars
Sariyah has this special power in trying to figure out what people need but doesn’t know why. She and her friends are at a concert when one goes missing. She cannot figure out what she needs to find her and wil they be able to? Does this connect to a friends missing sister?

This was a fun quick read with a twisty plot and a great message. This book reminded me that I very much can still enjoy YA books. Sariyah herself and her power were so well written. The way the seemingly random needs intertwined and related to each other was a treat. This book was just very smartly written, so it's insane that this is only a debut. My only complaint is with Malcom, I was ready to fight him every time he showed up on page.

Thanks for the ARC! Needy Little Things is a standout debut—fresh, tense, and full of heart. Sariyah’s voice is powerful, and her unique ability adds a compelling twist to a deeply personal, high-stakes mystery. The story explores systemic neglect, community, and survival with honesty and urgency. It’s layered, relevant, and hard to put down. A gripping blend of speculative power and real-world truth.

Little bit of a late review but I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing and St. Martin’s Press for giving me an ARC to Needy Little Things! This was a beautiful debut from Channelle Desamours that tackled some pretty heavy topics in a tactful and perfect way. I cannot wait to read more from this author and I certainly cannot wait to see if Sariyah’s story will continue!!

I didn’t know what to really expect from this book, but it ended up really sucking me in. The main character, Sariyah can hear people’s needs, and I feel like the author does a really good of balancing the apparent pros and cons of this ability. This really comes into play when her best friend Deja disappears, bringing forth this continued thought line of how missing Black girls are treated differently. This ended up being a really interesting read that didn’t go where I expected it to, and I’d definitely like to read more from the author in the future!

4.5 stars. Based on an idea that the author garnered from an episode of The Twilight Zone, Needy Little Things is an absolute ride of a read. This book has an awesome premise. Girl can sense what a person needs before that person even knows it...and usually it's something totally weird. Incredibly interesting and my hopes for a stellar execution were highly met.

It may be YA, but it hit seriously hard. The pace was quick and the tension snapped tight from beginning to end. Things just kept me guessing and there were zero moments of slog.

Sariyah is a fantastic character with a lot of fleshing out details. She is complicated and weighs her gift with the optimistic AND pessimistic qualities with logic appropriate to a teenager.

The plot is complex and tackles quite a few social issues in a unique way. I may not have always agreed with the character actions, but Desamours writes them in such a way that you can understand their motivations and intents. There is a lot of emotion crafted into the pages.

The ending was action packed and had me holding my breath as things unraveled. I did figure out a thing or two along the way, but did not quite see what was coming. It was intense. Though there weren't really any loose ends, the ending was written in a way that left things open for the possibility of a sequel. I am hoping that Channelle Desamours writes one because this premise continues to excite me and her plotting/writing (especially considering that this is a DEBUT novel) is fantastic.

Unfortunately this did not end up being for me - I loved the premise and the overarching messaging of the book, but the read itself was a little tough for me. I felt like the romantic interest came out of nowhere and was looped in to the know very quickly and almost randomly. I don't think there were any issues with the writing itself, but I personally did not find the story to hold my attention.

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC. Honestly I picked this title based purely on the Title and Cover, and went in absolutely blind, and I couldn't have been more happy that I did.

This is the book that got me out of my reading slump. I binged it in literally a day, and it makes me so sad that it took me so long to dive in.

Sariyah is clairvoyant, even though you won't catch her calling it that. But she doesn't hear people's thoughts, she hears their needs. Clothes pins, socks, hair brush, nail file. Things that seem wholly random, until the user suddenly finds it useful.

What Sariyah doesn't expect is to hear the need of one of her close friends: pepper spray. Having lost one of her closest friends and twin to her best friend, she is instantly on the defense, even more so after a man passes away due to a tragic accident that she blames herself for.

This book is twist and turns and kept me filled with dread and anxiety, unwilling to trust anyone and with twists and turns that I truly didn't see coming. Several times I found myself suspicious, only to laugh at myself for falling for the obvious bait and switch. IT didn't make it any less fun to take the journey.

Also, don't even get me started on that epilogue. I sat in my car after pulling into my driveway because I only had it remaining, and I sat there dumbfounded, goosebumps on my arms and jaw dropped for about 3 minutes before pulling myself together to go inside.

But, if we are going to talk about what I loved most about this book, is its unwavering attack on the way media handles missing woman in this country. White woman receive an staggering higher percentage of media attention compared to that of minorities, and this book takes that idea. What would happen if this world gave just as much attention to minorities. "Missing White Woman Syndrome" they have called it. And I'm not saying these woman don't deserve the support of the media, I just appreciated the book calling attention to the disproportion of funds dedicated to finding these bipoc woman, and how they are much more often dismissed as run aways.

That said, the book was an amazing paranormal thriller and I will be shoving it into the hands of all of my friends this summer for a quick, easy and fun read. Should be a must read in schools in my honest opinion and will be suggesting it to my teacher friends as well.

I'm so glad I read this book! Definitely a case of right book right time. Thank you to St. Martin's Publishing and Wednesday Books for the chance to read this.

The writing had me hooked, the characters were compelling, and the themes were complex. If you like a mystery with a focus on social justice, I think you'll like NEEDY LITTLE THINGS too!

I loved the friendship between Sariyah and Malcolm. The way things ended was a bit far fetched, but I was here for it. And that last sentence 👀 I'm dying to read book 2!

I could see fans of ACE OF SPADES or A GOOD GIRL'S GUIDE TO MURDER enjoying NEEDY LITTLE THINGS.

Needy Little Things packs in so much—family, friendship, mystery, a missing teen, racial inequality, mental health, chronic illness, and Sariyah’s unique ability to hear people’s needs—and somehow, it all just works. Nothing feels rushed or unfinished, and it never feels like too much. I really connected with Sariyah. Even the side characters had depth and their own stories, which is impressive, especially in a first-person narrative.
The central mystery is engaging, but the subplots never fade into the background. Everything ties in and serves a purpose. Looking forward to what Desamours does next.

Such a thought provoking concept. This was well written with wonderful character development. I felt so bad for our main character in everything that she had to endure with her gift and then to be let down by those closest to her.

Needy Little Things is a compelling debut that seamlessly blends supernatural elements with poignant social commentary. The story follows Sariyah Lee Bryant, a seventeen-year-old with the unique ability to hear the unspoken needs of those around her. When her best friend Deja disappears shortly after Sariyah fulfills one of her needs, Sariyah embarks on a quest to uncover the truth, grappling with her own powers and the weight of responsibility. Desamours crafts a narrative that delves into themes of race, media bias, and the often-overlooked disappearances of Black and Brown individuals, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of societal issues through a supernatural lens.

The novel's strength lies in its authentic portrayal of complex characters and their multifaceted experiences. Sariyah's journey is marked by her efforts to balance her family dynamics, including caring for a brother with sickle cell anemia and supporting a mother battling depression, all while navigating the challenges posed by her abilities. The narrative is enriched with diverse representations, including a bisexual Black protagonist and nuanced depictions of mental health and chronic illness. Desamours' writing is both engaging and evocative, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between the supernatural and the real are intricately woven. Needy Little Things is a standout in the YA genre, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with depth and relevance.

<< Thanks for Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. >>

I had a pretty good time with this. I love a good YA mystery and the concept of Sariyah's ability was unique and interesting. I felt the author did a pretty good job in leading us on and keeping us on our toes. The ending wasn't my favorite, but overall the story was solid and intriguing; it definitely kept me turning the pages. I look forward to reading more from this author

The premise of this book is what drew me in. What would the world be like if you could here the needs of others? This story was very mysterious and timely. I loved how giving the main character was yet and still there was risk involved with their kindness. I loved the mystery the story centered around and how the kids were going about solving it. And the ending!!!! Y'all, I did NOT see that coming. Overall I enjoyed the twists and turns of this book and appreciated the message it held.

An important, beautiful novel full of well developed characters who I loved rooting for. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, devouring every page and chapter as quick as I could.

Excellent pacing and strong debut. There was definitely a wild ending that I definitely did not see coming. I loved the metaphor of this Black young woman taking on everyone's burdens and trying to fix all problems, and how this eventually leads to burnout and ignoring personal and mental health needs in Black women.

Why Did I Listen To Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

The cover of Needy Little Things caught my attention on Netgalley so I was quick to take a peak at the blurb which also quickly captured my attention. A teenage girl with the ability to sense the things that those around her need? Plus, a focus on the disappearance of a black teenage girl? Count me in!

What’s The Story Here?

Sariyah is a black high school student with a unique supernatural power. She can sense exactly what the people around need such as Chapstick, a nail file, or an EpiPen. This power feels more like a curse than a blessing for her as she has difficulty focusing on daily activities such as school because her head is so full of the needs of those around her. These needs become completely intrusive thoughts that she can't get rid of until the need is fully met.

One day to celebrate her best friend Malcolm's birthday, she goes to a music festival with her friends. On the way, she senses that her friend Deja needs pepper spray and gives her a spare pepper spray keychain. The need feels especially dark to her and Sariyah does her best to try and keep an eye on her friend. Yet as often happens in large music festivals, the girls get separated and suddenly Deja is nowhere to be found.

What Did I Think Of Needy Little Things

This book was so good! There is just so much heart especially coming from Sariyah. As the main character, she really holds things together (even when she's barely holding herself together). The consistent presence of her ability does not feel distracting but really does play a key role in what is happening. Channelle DeSamours does a fantastic job with magical realism and all of her characters feel fleshed out and real.
Disabilities and mental health each play an important role in this story. The author includes conditions such as sickle cell anemia, ADHD, and depression which each play critical role in the lives of affected characters and those around them. There is also a strong exploration of racial disparities in how missing persons cases are handled. This is so well done and is very impactful! Channelle DeSamours is now definitely on my radar for any future releases (especially after the ending of this one).

How’s The Narration?
The audiobook is narrated by Alaska Jackson and is 8 hours and 6 minutes in length. I listened to it at double time and it did not feel that long at all. The narration kept me completely engaged and added to the tense environment of a missing black teenager. I felt like all the characters had their own voices and that their personalities were able to shine through. I would definitely listen to another audiobook narrated by her.

The book skillfully balances moments of heartbreak with humor, creating an engaging reading experience that keeps the audience invested. Desamours tackles themes of self-worth, societal expectations, and the consequences of emotional reliance, all woven into a story that feels both timely and timeless.

Needy Little Things has been one of my favorite reads so far this year! I was intrigued when I learned this book would be about a young girl who could sense the needs of others around her. And the read did not disappoint! The pacing was fast and kept me on my toes. So much so, that I could barely put this book down. This was such a great read with a great message that kept me engaged throughout the entire read!

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Missing girls, a talent to help, and a very close of friends struggling to understand why no one is helping them look.

A shocking mystery - Sariyah's best friend has been missing for a while now. She's grown close to her best friend's twin brother and another girl in school. They've become a tight group. But when another girl goes missing, Sariyah can't wait for the police and the media to finally figure out girls are going missing.

Because Sariyah has a special talent. She can hear, kind of like an impulse, what someone needs in that moment. It knocks against her thoughts, whether she likes it or not, telling her again and again what someone wants. It makes it hard for her to concentrate, get through school, walk through crowds. She carries a catch-all bag around that she hopes to meet some of these small needs to quiet them around her. To try to help in small ways.

This was a compelling story that did a great job of showing how not every missing girl is treated the same by society and the media. The color of your skin can affect how much attention the story gets. I also loved Sariyah's ability and how it was invasive and disruptive, definitely showing it was both a curse and a gift.

This was a compelling mystery too. I kept wondering what could be going on, what the answer could be. I never guessed the twists and I enjoyed the conclusion. A good audio, too, with a narrator that kept me sucked into the story.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.