In this fun new YA novel written in verse, readers follow teenager Jaelyn Coleman who loves skating at WestSide Roll, her local roller rink where DJ Sunny plays and her favorite people meet up to skate. One Saturday, Jaelyn literally crashes into new skater Trey, who keeps finding reasons to run into her and spend time with her at a time when her best friend and estranged father are coming back into her life. When she discovers that WestSide Roll will be shutting down because of the gentrification in her predominantly Black Indianapolis neighborhood, Jaelyn and her community must rally together to celebrate the place while it lasts. A unique and fascinating debut novel, readers will love this novel about young Black love and coming of age. The characters are well-written and detailed, and the unique structure adds a fascinating layer to the already complex and entertaining story. The relationships between Jaelyn and Trey, Jaelyn and her father, and Jaelyn and her female relatives are particularly interesting and add a lot to her story and character development. Well-written, detailed, and character-centric, readers will love this fascinating and immersive new YA debut novel with a fascinating setting, strong emotional storyline, and great characters.

I haven't gotten a chance to finish this book yet, but I really like it! I'm about halfway through, and I'm hoping I can find it at another library or request it for my patrons. The characters are easy to root for, and as a child of divorced parents, it is very relatable. The verse comes across well in the digital format and makes the story a smooth read. As a white woman in the South, I did not know about African American skating culture, and I love that this book highlights that niche. I grew up in a skating rink, but it was never a cultural or community thing.

Arriel Vinson's Under the Neon Lights is a YA novel in verse that follows Jaelyn as she deals with her parent's divorce, the gentrification of her neighborhood, friendship struggles, first love, and her beloved roller rink closing.

Vinson portrays Jaelyn's life in a gorgeous verse, with words that have weight and lines with rhythms to mirror the story. This lyrical exploration is both unique to this one girl and also captures the essence of being a teenager in the midst of numerous sea changes.

Time is often shown as two countdowns, indicating both Jaelyn's big worry (the roller rink closing) and then, ultimately, to an event that brings her hope.

Amid the breathtaking poetry, timely plot, and exceptional character development are apt depictions of early relationships, friendship woes, and changing parental relationships. This ties in neatly with the novel's themes of forgiveness, self-advocacy, dealing with change, and facing gentrification. Yet these themes flow well within the narrative, connecting plot threads while advancing character growth.

Of particular note is Jae's role within her community, as she has many healthy relationships with folks in other generations, from kids to adults to elders. Jae struggles with seeing her neighborhoods change, especially as the creep of gentrification makes her feel unwelcome in her home. From store owners mistreating her and other Black customers to an increased police presence to losing her beloved Westside Roll, Jae's area is changing faster than she keep up.

And yet, she finds home. Builds new spaces. Continues to not only exist in this spaces, but show she belongs. Jae's journey to standing up for herself and allowing herself to take up space is a beautiful one.

Vinson captures the essence of summer and the heartbeat of a community, all through the eyes of one quiet teen learning to take up space.

Special thanks to the author, Penguin/Putnam, and NetGalley for a digital ARC such that I could share my honest opinion.

Under the Neon Lights is now available.

Happy reading!

Arriel Vinson's "Under the Neon Lights" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of life in the city. It challenges readers to reflect on their own lives and the connections they form, all while painting a vivid picture of a world bathed in the glow of neon. The story offers a timeless reminder of the beauty and complexity of human experience.

I adore novels in verse! I loved the roller skate love in this one. Won’t lie - the cover drew me in. 🛼 Jaelyn lives to skate. The roller rink is second home to her and it’s the one connection she has in common with both of her parents. But when the owner of Westside Roll announces he’s closing up shop, Jaelyn is devastated. Skating in the tennis courts or at another rink is just not the same. As Jaelyn tries to define herself without her weekly skating routine, her neighborhood tries to keep its identity despite soaring rent prices and gentrification trying to force them all out. Can Jaelyn come to terms with her new reality while starting a new relationship (based on skating) and maintain her old friendship with Noe while everything around her seems to be changing?

What I loved most: the end of the novel where Jaelyn and her friends stage an epic event, the social commentary, the beauty of the words on the page.

Title: Under the Neon Lights
By: Arriel Vinson
Pub. Day: June 3, 2025

Genre:
Young Adult, Coming of Age, Novel in Verse, Poetry

Recommended Ages:
8th grade and/or 14 and up

Content:
Discrimination, Race, Drug and Alcohol Use, Language, Mild Sexual Content, Violence

Summary:
Westside Roll is the hangout spot for Jaelyn, where she can lose herself and worries in the music and skate her life away! It’s where she first falls in love and where the community comes alive. But everything changes when a developer buys the beloved land the roller rink is on… Now what? Can Jaelyn and her tight-knit town hold onto the place that means so much to them, or will they lose it for good? Will they give up, or rise up to fight for what matters most?

Review:
WOW!

What a beautifully written debut novel in verse!

I was completely drawn in by the fast-paced, engaging plot. I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one sitting. The characters are so well-developed and relatable. I know many of my students would see parts of themselves in these shared experiences. While the story does focus on first love, and relationships, it doesn’t shy away from the heavy realities of discrimination, what stayed with me most were the powerful themes of unity, belonging, and the strength found in community. It’s those messages that make this novel truly unforgettable.

Thank you to Arriel Vinson, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the opportunity of an Advanced Readers Copy. I am voluntarily leaving my personal review.

#UndertheNeonLights
#PenguinGroup
#PenguinYoungReadersGroup
#G.P.PutnamlsSonsBooksforYoungReaders
#Advancedreadercopies
#ReluctantReaderReads
#NetGalley
#ARC

Jaelyn lives, breathes, dreams roller skating at her local rink. It’s the place that gives her space, lets her spread her wings, and allows her heart and soul sing. But life is about to change and Jae has to learn who she is without the rink and what truly makes her her. Arriel Vinson’s debut novel in verse is a beautiful ode about growing up and being yourself even when faved with challenges.

This book brought back so memories for me. The book may be for today’s audience but it’s very nostalgic and I clearly remember all the times I hung out at the mall and skating rink. Under The Neon Lights is a book about culture and community. More importantly, it’s about friends and family and the hopes and fears that connects us all. I loved the scenes inside the skating rink and at the tennis courts. They were very descriptive and I almost see myself joking in. The only downfall was the many pop culture references but it wasn’t enough to take way a star.

Under the Neon Lights is a raw, poetic exploration of identity, place, and longing. Vinson's voice is powerful, and the narrative pulses with emotion, capturing the beauty and grit of urban life through vivid, lyrical prose. The writing style is stunning—lyrical without being overworked. Vinson paints each scene with emotional clarity, making the characters feel deeply real.

I love books that are novels in verse, but this uses that literary format so well! From unique poetic structure to blacked out pages that reveal a new element to the poem, this book was truly meant to be a novel in verse. The roller rink as a microcosm for the larger gentrification of the neighborhood was also so well done. There is a lot to think about here besides a meaningful story! (Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC) #yaread #gentrification #comingofage #blackvoices #debutblackauthor #yanewrelease

This was such a good read!
I don’t usually read books in verse and this convinced me I need to do so more.
The topics and themes covered made this book feel so perfect for young adults going through so many new experiences and transitions, as they grow. It would have definitely been nice to have this when I was younger. I also appreciated how much this book made me want to rewatch Forever, on Netflix.

I LOVE a novel in verse. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Under the Neon Lights is about 16 year old Jae. She loves roller skating, and how her and her community can be themselves at the local roller rink. Until it announces its closing down.

This novel is about friendship, family, growing up and all the changes that come along with it, and accepting love and falling in love.

This was such a lovely YA novel in verse, if you’re a fan of that style I think you’ll love this!!

The descriptions of the skating rink were so perfect. My memories of going skating and the sounds, smells, the stickiness in the air, all of that, came springing back to life in my head as I read this book. The descriptions of the music let you know what’s going on without ever slowing down the story. I felt like I was right there with Jae.

What’s really awesome, too, is that the story paints the picture of the skating rink as this hub for community. It’s a space where people gather and celebrate music, relationships, and the joy of roller skating. I loved every one of those scenes.

The story also makes space to explore the ways that relationships change. Sometimes things break, and we don’t know how to fix them. Sometimes people let us down. And sometimes people change. Figuring out when to fight or confront versus when to let things go is not easy, and Jae faces several complex choices in her relationships.

Jae also lives in a town that’s facing increasing gentrification. It’s no the theme of the story. This isn’t a book about mobilizing the community to stop what’s happening. It’s about figuring out how to be who you are in an ever-changing world, and how to hold onto the things that matter to you even when the world keeps changing. There are some great moments in which Jae calls out gentrification and acknowledges the harm it’s causing. So while it’s not a story that centers on saving the skating rink, it does address the impact of the closure on the community.

I was engaged from the first page to the last. The verse lines move quickly, drawing our attention to the perfect amount of detail and creating a rich emotional story. I cannot wait to see what the author writes next.

Under the Neon Lights had such a gorgeous vibe—roller rink nostalgia, soft first love, and lyrical verse that felt like a warm summer night—but I’ll be honest, I liked it more in concept than in execution. The writing is undeniably beautiful, and Jae’s voice is raw and honest, but sometimes I felt a little distanced from the emotion, like I was watching it unfold instead of being in it with her. That said, the themes of gentrification, identity, and finding your voice were powerful and handled with care. It’s one of those reads that’s more about feeling than plot, and while that totally works for some people, it just didn’t fully click for me. Still, major respect for what Vinson’s doing here—I'll absolutely keep an eye out for whatever she writes next.

16 year old Jaelyn Coleman discovers first love, self-worth, and the power of a good skate

I requested a copy of this ARC based on the cover art alone. I was SOLD. And roller skating?! Yes, please. Cuteness overload. Unfortunately, this book ended up being a little too young for me. It was well written and such a sweet book, though and I absolutely recommend it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely adored this book! I couldn’t get a copy of the physical book fast enough. I loved how the author intertwined the skating rink + its history into the story, the way it healed the characters and helped to mold their relationships. It was beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book and read it in one day. I loved the storyline and all the characters. This is the first book I have read by this author and it will not be the last. I would definitely recommend this book.

Really enjoyed this book! The characters and theme of skating were wonderful. I liked how multiple conflicts were woven in and there was always a countdown to something either that was a bummer or something to look forward to.

There were a few threads of conflict that weren’t resolved, like Mrs. Joyce’s health and the rising rent, but hopefully that means there’ll be a sequel.

**Initial Reaction**: 7

**Characters:** 8

**Setting:** 7

**Plot:** 7

**Pace:** 9

**Style:** 9

**Ending:** 8

**Enjoyment:** 8

63 / 16 = 3.9375

Rounded Rating = 4.0

This is a really sweet and empowering novel in verse for teens. I found it to be nostalgic as it reminded me of roller skating, free time as a teen, and first crushes/loves. Nice character development.