Needy Little Things is a teen mystery with elements of fantasy. Sariyah Lee Bryant has a unique ability to know what people need. Packing her “Santa Bag”, Sariyah hands out simple items that seem to help people in someway. But sometimes things happen that seem bad after Sariyah fulfills a need like her friend disappearing from a festival. This isn’t the first of her friends that disappear, leaving Sariyah and her friends to wonder if skin color affects the coverage. Dealing with family issues, Sariyah must decide what her gift means to her and others as she tries to find her missing friend. Sariyah is a neat character and her abilities build her up to someone the reader can empathize with and want to know. The mystery threw in the little twists that keep things interesting for a storyline I would gladly revisit if it becomes a series. This is a solid and enjoyable debut novel from a new author I would read more from. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a really compelling, fast-paced, timely tale. I liked the characters and the twists kept me guessing. I didn't figure out exactly where it was going until it got there. Some of the red herrings felt unnecessary, but I enjoyed the story as a whole. The ending felt like a punch to the gut - in a good way.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I loved this genre-bending debut YA! It is so well-constructed and the writing style is so good that I would never have guessed this was a debut novel. Part magical realism, part mystery, part suspense, part thriller, with a sprinkling of sweet romance, Needy Little Things is one of the best YAs I've read in the last year. I will absolutely be recommending it to my friends and followers, and look forward to following this new author's career and reading her future novels.

Needy Little Things is the story of Sariyah Lee Bryant, a senior in high school who has an inherited premonition-like sixth sense. She hears voices from every person within a certain proximity of her physical location. The voices repeat over and over a physical item the person is going to need in the future. The items are small, seemingly innocuous, things that you would often find in someone's pocket or purse, like paper clips, band aids, hair ties, chapstick, kleenex. The only thing that Sariyah doesn't know is when the item will be used or why the person will need it.

Warned by her family that her supernatural gift can be dangerous and that she shouldn't speak of it or use it, Sariyah is unable to resist the desperation of the voices in her head that are nearly torturous when she is around other people. Because the voices do not quiet until she gifts the items needed, her gift giving becomes a compulsion, and it is getting worse as she gets older. Now she is struggling to maintain her grades, relationships with her family and friends, and her own sanity.

When one of her best friends disappears without a trace from a music festival in Atlanta, Sariyah is determined to solve the mystery before it's too late, and another Black girl is lost to time and community consciousness.

This novel contemplates and explores the butterfly effect in a truly unique way and through a number of character's eyes. It also explores a number of themes including the true meaning of family, desire for independence, the power of community, and racial and social inequity.

To begin, I would like to thank St. Martin's Press|Wednesday Books and Channelle Desamours for allowing me to read this book, Needy Little Things, via #netgalley. All opinions following are my own.

This Young Adult Mystery kept me on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last, and I absolutely gobbled it up in just a few hours.

The story follows seventeen-year-old Sariyah, who has a unique gift: she can physically hear people's needs, sometimes even before the need arrives. If she doesn't fulfill the need, it gets louder until she gets a migraine. That's just one person's needs, though, and depending on where she is, she can hear up to dozens all at once. This makes all relationships she engages in on a daily basis difficult to maintain and attend to fully, but, ironically, she can't hear the needs of those she is closest with: her family and her best friend, Malcolm. She can, though, hear her closest female friend, Deja's, needs.

Before Malcolm became her number one, his twin sister, Tessa, was Sariyah's very best friend. They were inseparable until she disappeared five years prior. When the same thing happens to Deja in the present, Sariyah is unsure if her ability is a blessing or a curse. Since she and Malcolm know all too well what happens when girls of color go missing, though, she's determined to use whatever she can to find Deja before it's too late.

I easily gave this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The author finds a way to make Sariyah's uniqueness make her shine while also shedding light on a very real problem in American culture: People of Color who go missing are not as likely to be find as affluent, white people. When this book arrives on shelves on February 04, make sure not to pass it up.

#brenbreathesbooks #brenreviewsbooks #youngadult #mystery #netgalleyreviewer #ARC #readerlife #realworldproblems #channelledesamours #5starreads #bookish #bookworm #foodforthought

4.5/5 ⭐️

“…needy little things can’t be choosers.”

This was such a unique mystery, with the magical realism perfectly blended in to heighten the story.

Sariyah can hear people’s needs, which is not the blessing most think it is. Her gift didn’t work the way I expected and caused her a lot of hardship, which made it interesting to read about. And the ways it’s used to provide clues for the mystery were so clever.

The mystery itself was just complex enough, with multiple threads to pull on to keep me guessing about what was going on. I didn’t figure it out!

This book also makes important statements about how POC are at a huge disadvantage when bad things happen to them, both from the legal/police side and just getting people to care. This is a really important thing for everyone to be aware of, especially now, and we all need to keep evaluating our internal biases.

The one thing with respect to the above that I thought was missing was some discussion of the sort of “tragedy overload” that the internet can cause. We’re all exposed to terrible things happening to people all over the world and it’s impossible to care about them all. Again I know it’s important with that that we’re just evaluating our internal biases, but it’s something I would’ve been interested to see how the characters would address it.

Overall this is a fantastic mystery with a great touch of magical realism, POC characters who are really complex, and important social commentary to make.

Thanks to the publisher for the early copy.

Okay, so I don’t even know where to start. I was so excited for this book because the summary sounds so good and unique.

I liked this book. I felt like the concept was interesting enough and the way the story played out was good. I also enjoyed the family dynamics and friendship structure. I honestly felt like I was reading a book that was compatible to A Good Girls Guide to Murder. However, the point that the latter made was there was a solid ending. I feel like there was so much that was missing. For example where is Tessa? We still don’t know. We get a “hint” if you could call it that but it would’ve liked closure.

I do like how this book had my on my toes and I was honestly shocked that it turned out the way it did. However, why why why? It had so much going good. I mean the missing black teens who go unnoticed and this is how we play it out in a book. I just can’t with that part. Then all the parents pissed me off. I think as a parent, I can’t do YA books with parents that does more trauma than anything else.

It was a good read so I will rate it a 3. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-ARC!!

Ok, I have so many thoughts on this book! Probably a 4.25/5 star read. I really enjoyed this book and was immediately pulled into it! This is not at all what I thought it was going to be like, but it was actually better! I really enjoyed it! It definitely feels as if it is a debut novel, however, it was definitely still not a bad book! It feels YA but not childish or middle grade like a lot of YA books do. It also doesn't feel too adult. Absolutely marketed well! This book is so full of good plot twists that I never saw coming and the end had me wanting to toss my book across the room, in a good way!! I felt so many emotions reading this and would definitely recommend it! It was so good! Also, miss ma'am?? You had better be writing a second book to this because that ending was absolutely not fair!! I NEED CLOSURE! Lol, seriously though. This book is worth a read!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*Needy Little Things* by Channelle Desamours is an incredibly captivating and thought-provoking novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Desamours has an extraordinary gift for creating rich, multidimensional characters who are so raw and real that you can’t help but feel deeply connected to them. The emotional depth she brings to the story is truly remarkable.

The plot is gripping, layered with mystery and tension, and filled with twists that will leave you second-guessing everything you think you know. Desamours does a brilliant job of weaving together suspense, drama, and moments of introspection, while exploring themes of vulnerability, desire, and the complexities of human connection.

What sets *Needy Little Things* apart is how it navigates the gray areas of relationships and human nature, exposing both the light and dark sides of the characters’ personalities. The writing is sharp, evocative, and engaging—descriptive enough to paint vivid scenes but never bogging the reader down with excess.

This book is a powerful exploration of how our deepest needs, both seen and unseen, shape who we are. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers that delve deep into the emotional psyche, *Needy Little Things* is an absolute must-read!

The quick cut: A teen girl who can sense other people's needs finds her life unbalanced when a friend disappears at a music festival.

A real review:
Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing the arc for an honest review.

Many of us can wonder and wish that we had unique or special abilities. The truth though is that it comes with a cost that can take a toll on your life. Sariyah very much knows that truth with her ability to sense people's needs.

Sariyah has the same gift that her grandmother did: she can sense other people's tangible needs. Whether it be a toothbrush or a pencil, she can detect the need and often give it to that person to fulfill it. She doesn't do it out of altruistic need, she does it to hold onto what semblance of self she has. All those needs overlapping steals her focus and gives her migraines. It's an ability that takes a toll until one of her friends disappears at a music festival. Can her ability help her find her friend again?

The magical realism in this story is the right balance of unique and believable. That small addition really helps humanize Sariyah in a different way that makes you understand how every ability has its ups and downs. However, it did feel like Sariyah's development distracted from the disappearance storyline.

Sariyah has so much responsibility thrust onto her and the talent she has only makes that harder. Her Santa bag of random items to give tells you how much her ability affects her day to day. That pressure can make it difficult to feel like you're capable of accomplishing anything. It's hard not to be impressed by her.

The disability representation in this story is so diverse and important, especially from a BIPOC perspective. Sariyah has ADHD, which makes sense given her unique talent. Her brother has sickle cell and the way his condition is portrayed not only explains it complexities, but also easily introduces the condition to anyone not familiar with it. Depression also plays a key role.

A story with plenty of disability representation, but split focus in its storylines.

My rating: 3.75 out of 5

A very interesting read. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this book. It wasn't really for me, but I am sure that it will be loed by the right audience.

This is a great debut novel! From the very beginning this book draws you in. From the magical realism to the missing person’s case, this book had a steady pace that draws you in. As for the ending, I had no idea where this book was going but I definitely did not guess the ending. This is a nice suspenseful YA read.

Thank you to the publisher for the eGalley!

This was SO good! I binged read this in one day. I will posting a full review on my instagram page this upcoming week!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

Let me start off first by saying that this book is in no way a bad book. As I am 26 years old, it seems that YA is now either a hit or a miss for me. I personally had a hard time connecting with the characters and the plotline, but just because I had trouble connecting with it just makes me think that this book is really meant for teenagers. I am sure that if I had read this book when I was a teen I would've enjoyed it more. And just because this book wasn't my cup of tea, it doesn't mean someone else won't love it. Furthermore, I am still interested in checking out more books by the author as I did think she was a good writer and I was impressed that this was her debut novel.

“People love to be like There’s no such thing as normal, and for the most part, I agree. I do. But let’s be real, knowing what people need before they need it? That’s some next-level stuff.”

Sariyah has what many deem an incredible gift, but what to her feels like an incredible burden: she can hear the needs of the people around her, save for a select few of her closest friends and family, like her mother and her best friend, Malcolm. Sariyah’s thoughts become crowded with the demands of others, and only satisfying their needs can help her clear her head. So, when Sariyah hears that her friend Deja needs pepper spray at a music festival they are attending, she hesitantly supplies it, concerned over the implications of this request. This concern is amplified when Deja disappears that same night. Sariyah can’t help but feel partially responsible, like she ignored an important sign. Sariyah’s guilt is compounded by the fact that Malcolm’s twin sister disappeared in a similar manner years ago, and Malcolm has never quite recovered. Navigating her wearisome “gift,” family struggles, a relationship with a new boy whose needs she also cannot hear, and intense differences of opinion with Malcolm, Sariyah becomes determined to find out what happened to Deja before it’s too late.

There was no point in my reading of this book that I could have predicted how it would end, an indication of Desamours’ ability to construct a suspenseful and engaging narrative. Desamour managed to beautifully bring together a captivating mystery, accurate representations of teenage angst, and complex social and political commentary in Needy Little Things, a feat I found quite impressive. This wasn’t just a story about a missing girl; it was a nuanced discussion of the way in which Black and Brown people are treated and spoken about differently in situations both tragic—like Deja’s disappearance—and common—like a trip to the doctor’s office, or a day at school. While there were a few moments in which I felt like certain characters and their respective arcs could have been better developed within the larger story, as many motives and relationships were left unclear at the end, I still genuinely enjoyed every page. This captivating magical realism story is at separate times thought-provoking, dark, mysterious, and hopeful. Desamours does an incredible job bringing all of these elements into a cohesive narrative that will keep readers engaged.

This debut YA mystery was really interesting! I should note I don't typically read books in this genre but I was thoroughly entertained. I think the book touched on some very important social/economic issues. Specifically, the book talked about young girls disappearing and really honed in on how not everyone is given the same treatment. Money and race are key players, and I think more people need to talk about this. People love to argue that just because they are white doesn't mean they are privileged while failing to realize that they could have had a hard life BUT it wasn't hard because of their skin color which makes them privileged.

I struggled to get into the beginning a bit, and would have liked to see more consistent pace throughout the book. I think some characters and situations needed hashed out a bit more. Overall, this was an incredible debut. It covered some pretty important topics including sickle cell, and depression. I would definitely recommend it!

This debut novel combines mystery, magical realism, and social issues that should be addressed.

Sariyah has a special gift: she can "hear" people's needs. Because of this, she carries around a Santa Sack to hand out the items as she determines what they need. Now, how she knows what exactly to buy each time is a mystery. Granted, many items are generic enough, but some are more specific. Or maybe she just doesn't fill the needs of those with items she doesn't have. While this gift may seem like a blessing, it is also a curse. Imagine hearing thousands of needs in your head.

Five years ago, her best friend goes missing and is never found. Her family or Sariyah never forgets Tessa, and Tessa comes to Sariyah in her dreams. The conversations are ones they had in the past, but perhaps there are clues to help find her or at least what happened to her. Fast forward to today, and Sariyah's friend, Deja, goes missing at a music festival. This sends Sariyah and her friends down a path trying to find her before the police give up hope. As the book points out, race determines how hard the police will look or for how long. Luckily, they won't let the police stop until the truth is revealed.

This book was a surprise, and I enjoyed it immensely. I was invested in the characters, and just when I thought there wouldn't be a new twist, we were hit with several. Everything you thought you knew will be turned upside down. I even liked her younger brother, Jojo. He was a hoot despite his illness, and I loved his passion for animals. They have a good bond and stick up for each other.

I thought that the characters also acted true to their age. They are teenagers, after all; they don't necessarily do the right thing or think things through. And the ending? I hope that means there is another book because there are things that were not resolved, and it leaves us hanging.

The book also addresses mental health, sickle cell, and drug use/abuse. All crucial issues, and I felt like they were handled well.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a story where the protagonist carries as much weight on their shoulders as Sariyah does in this book. A Black teenager living in the South, she possesses a unique gift—hearing unspoken needs and fulfilling them. This element of magical realism intrigued me, especially as it intertwined with the real-world pressures she faces. Between taking on everyone’s requests, navigating shifting friendships, stepping into responsibilities no teenager should have to bear at home, and keeping up with schoolwork that determines her future, her burdens felt overwhelming. And with each chapter, I felt that weight right alongside her.

Sariyah and her community felt authentic and relatable, and the plot kept me hooked as I eagerly tried to piece together what would happen next. I also appreciated the novel’s focus on timely social issues, such as the lack of media attention and investigations when Black and brown people go missing, the impact of sickle cell disease on young children, and disparities in healthcare access. These themes added depth and urgency to the story.

At first, the ending left me scratching my head, wondering why it concluded the way it did. But after reflecting on the chapters leading up to the big reveal, I realized it made sense—teenage angst won out. Adolescence is such a complex, emotionally charged stage of life, and the book captures how passionately young people respond to social issues.

Check your trigger warnings.
How many BLACK GIRLS go missing?[or any person of color] How many of them go unsolved and don't get enough attention as if it where MISSING WHITE GIRL? I will not answer this question for you but you need to find this answer on your own or perhaps read this novel.
In this novel we follow Sariyah and her friends, her family. Sariyah and her friends go to a festival/ concert for one of her friends 18th birthday. Her friend Deja goes missing from the concert while there're wait in the long line for the bathroom. The mystery goes from there.
Not only dose Sariyah have a special gift where she can hear people's need that may or may not affect the lives of the people she helps with her gift but her own personal life. Her gift may or may not help her missing friend.
I liked this story I liked the writing style. How everything unfolds. That life isn't always black and white. How grief changes people had them do things that they wouldn't normally do. How that can manifest into outcomes least expected. I liked how we are in Syriyah's life all things she will do for family. I like is not just about the mystery but lives of others and makes things seem real. I hope this novel gets hype when it comes out because it deserves it.
The message needs be be said many times.

"Needy Little Things" by Channelle Desamours was an intriguing read! I would definitely read more books from her. The main character, Sariyah, inherited an ability from her grandmother to hear what people need. She walks around with her "santa bag" filled with various objects, to keep the needs from becoming too overwhelming. But then one of her friends disappears and she is left searching for clues about what happened.

Genre: YA; Magical Realism; Thriller/Mystery Fiction
Rating: ★★★★☆

First, thank you @netgalley and @elledesamours for is this free e-ARC and giving me a chance to read and review this wonderful book. Overall, this was an amazing debut novel. I loved the concept and uniqueness of Sariyah’s abilities and the awareness about sickle cell anemia and mental health issues, particularly depression. This was perfectly atmospheric, I didn’t want to stop reading, especially when it got closer to how and why Deja disappeared. The only issues I had, was the pacing did slow down towards the middle and some of the twists were predictable. However, the ending and its fast-paced action and twists made up for that. Although I did like Sariyah’s character overall, there were times where she did annoy me - especially how she sometimes treated Jude. I do wish we could have explored their dynamic a little more, as opposed to her and Malcolm, who I had so many mixed feelings about.
 
Still, this was a wonderful debut novel with an interesting and different concept, a unique main character, and an engrossing plot. Hats off to the author– this was amazing read. I can’t wait to check out her future works. Highly recommend adding this one to the TBR!