Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book!

I enjoyed this novel in verse quite a bit! The story revolves around Jae--a teen who loves to roller skate, loves her community, and is maybe falling in love with a boy named Trey. Readers follow along as she navigates some complicated family and friend relationships, as well as deals with the emotional fallout of the closing of her community's beloved skating rink. Jae also meets a sweet boy names Trey who will be by her side as she figures things out and they slowly and sweetly fall for each other. I appreciated the way the book showed the impact of gentrification in a way that teen readers will understand and will be adding a copy to my classroom library!

I read anywhere between 75-100 books a year on average, and I already know Arriel Vinson’s Under The Neon Lights will land very high in my top reads of 2025. This coming of age (that’s how it felt for me) story is written in a refreshing style that is relatable and timely with the resurgence for skating, lyrical and descriptive that still flows like a novel. I can’t remember the last time I literally clapped so much while reading. Jae and Trey are beyond adorable and their banter is top tier. The author did a brilliant job of writing characters dealing with age-appropriate issues that don’t all have instant fixes. Their lives are so much more than two young people falling for each other, though the moments that capture Jae and Trey’s sweet tumble had me smiling AND clapping, even when they were navigating conflict. Made their story so much realer for me, and I imagine other readers will have similar sentiments.
!00% 10/10 recommend, and a physical copy will definitely be added to my bookshelf.

I received this book courtesy of NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers. Thank you so much for the advance review copy!

This novel in verse was an absolutely incredible YA read. Not only was the narrative compelling and the characters relatable, Vinson's way with verse, imagery and line breaks will have any young adult hooked to continue reading. With an educated view on gentrification, and Vinson's incredible writing talent, I'd recommend this book to any middle-school to high-school-aged kids and beyond. Loved it!

A moving coming of age debut YA novel in verse about a young teen roller skater and her love of the local rink where she spends a lot of her time trying to forget about problems at home, her gentrifying neighborhood and where she also spends time with friends and a new love interest. Great on audio and perfect for fans of the books Love radio or She gets the girl. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Under the Neon Lights is a fantastic YA coming of age story. In her debut novel, Arriel Vinson puts forth a story of community, love, friendship, and banning together for what you believe in. It is a sweet YA novel that shows the ugly realities of gentrification and it's affects on minority communities.

Under the Neon Lights is the story of sixteen-year-old Jaelyn Coleman, who happily spends her Saturday nights at WestSide Roll, the iconic neighborhood roller rink. At the rink, Jae loses herself in the music of DJ Sunny, the smell of nachos from the concession, and the crowd of some of her favorite people—old heads, dance crews, and other regulars like herself. Here, Jae and other Black teens can fully be themselves. WestSide Roll is also where Jae meets Trey; the cutest boy she's ever seen. And before she knows it, she's spending more and more time with him.

While developing a relationship with Trey, Jae is also dealing with her absentee father trying to squirm his way back into his life. And her relationship with her best friend Noelle is not what it used to be. To make matters worse, Jae gets the devastating news that WestSide Roll is closing its doors permanently. The gentrification rapidly taking over her predominantly Black Indianapolis neighborhood, filling it with luxury apartments and fancy boutiques, has come for her safe-haven. And this is just one trouble Jae can’t skate away from.

I loved reading this story. The characters are so authentic and real. Each one deals with personal struggles while trying to maintain the positive relationships in their lives and have the freedom to be who they want to be. Seeing the way Jae lets loose in the skating rink is so freeing. We all need a place where we can let loose and be free. But what happens if that place then gets taken away from us? What would we do? This story explores that and more. We see how Jae's relationships grow and change, how a community dealing with gentrification pulls together in times of need, the importance of forgiveness and second chances, and how we truly need one another. Fantastic read!

I enjoyed this coming of age/first love story.
We are able to see how the characters love, grieve, heal, and never give up. We read about the effects of divorce, estranged friendships, parental relationships, the journey to forgiveness, and abandonment trauma.
I would highly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Young Readers Group/G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Novels in verse always fascinate me, given the short amount of words the author tends to use, making it all the more impactful. I loved every single theme, especially the roller rink closing one. I loved that it showed how important it was to Jaelyn, how her lore was started there and how she can carry it with her beyond it. I loved the friendship storyline. It hit close to home and felt so real. And the romance, my goodness, Trey is such a sweet character and I loved his banter and evolving relationship with Jaelyn. 10/10, no notes.

I think you’ll enjoy this if you like stories about friendship, grief, and realistic fiction.

4.75 stars

I love novel-in-verse, and this one had a rhythm that was fast and engaging. Jaeylyn loves skating and is rightfully crushed when she finds out her community's local skating rink is closing down. But that just scratches the surface of how deep this book goes. This is also about trust and romance, about friendship and community, about gentrification and assumed violence, about family and divorce and the activity and person who brings all these elements together.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star is that there were a couple of loose threads that didn't get resolved, and I can't tell if that was intentional or not.

Still, I highly recommend this for teenagers and up who enjoy novel-in-verse stories about community.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

really fun, well written YA romance and social novel in verse revolving around gentrification, love, and community. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this coming of age/first love story. I'm a sucker for novels written in verse, and this one was also very good. Though I personally am an atrocious roller skater, reading about the freedom Jaelynn feels when she spins and does tricks on the rink was so wholesome and relatable. I also liked how this showed dynamics with Noelle, Trey, and her mom and dad. This felt like a love letter to skating, Indy, and being Black. I would highly recommend this book.

Thanks for the advanced copy!

thank you so much to the team at penguin random house and netgalley for giving me this ARC!

arriel vinson's debut novel in verse is so sweet. her characters love, grieve, heal, and never give up.

it made me miss skating. i couldn't help thinking about when we used to go every week growing up. i'm so excited to get back out there and skate again, and i'm so happy that vinson is giving readers the experience of being back in that moment, under the neon lights, hand in hand of someone who conquers all of your what ifs.

so cute!!!!

Thank you, Penguin Teen, for this ARC.

A love letter to black skating culture; this story feels like a warm hug.

- This story is very multi-dimensional. It's a melting pot of a YA first love, black skating culture, building community, and navigation through gentrification, friendship, abandonment trauma, and forgiveness.

- I loved all the nods to black skating culture. They enhanced the setting and brought this story to life.

- Vinson wrote such a relatable character with Jaelyn, and she resonated with me in many ways. From her estranged relationship with her father to her abandonment trauma and struggle with forgiveness, I saw myself in her a lot.

- I loved Jaelyn and Trey! Their dynamic was so cute, from their banter to how patient they were with each other. They also had significant character development. I enjoyed seeing their growth while working through forgiveness, fear of abandonment, and trust, specifically, how they conquered it together.

- This story does well illustrating gentrification and its effects in various aspects, specifically its impact on a community physically, emotionally, and even financially. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of building community and the effort to keep it even throughout gentrification.

- I think Vinson provides a good depiction of the effects of divorce, estranged friendships and parental relationships, the journey to forgiveness, and abandonment trauma. Moreover, how these things affect a young adult's life.

- This was my first time reading a novel written in verse, so it took some time to adapt to the format. However, once I did, it was easy to follow. This read took me on an emotional but profound journey.

Overall:
I enjoyed this debut. Though it dealt with some heavy topics, it was also cozy and had me giggling and kicking my feet. As my first read written in verse, it made a good first impression and has encouraged me to read more books written in this style. It has also influenced me to learn how to skate! I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

3⭐️
my opinion: pretty cute but way too many pop culture references (over 50). I love how big of a part community plays in this story. The in-verse writing style took some getting used to, but also made for a quick read.

first person, present tense pov
trope: he falls first

Age rating: 12+
Violence: mention of a fight between two girls at the roller skating rink (they both get arrested), mention of a character having been in possession of two knives at school (not for violent purposes)
Drinking/drugs/smoking: mention of someone smoking a cigar, mention of people vaping, mention of adults buying Seagrams and cigars, mention of an adult character with an empty wine glass
Romance: 2 forehead kisses, 1 kiss on the cheek, 4 non descriptive kisses
Language: 1 a$$, 1 d@mn, 5 f***, 4 sh!t, 1 use of the Lord’s name taken in vain
Other: mention of fmc and best friend watching an R-rated movie (they’re 16)

Trigger warnings:
- divorce of parents
- absent father

Publish date: 3-June-2025
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review

Under The Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson is such a beautiful story. The book is written in verse and it reads in an honest emotional way that wraps the story and characters around you like a warm blanket. My favorite part of the book is the family and community love and how much each character fights for the rink and it's memorial.

I absolutelt loved every page of this novel. It was truly engaging. I can't wait to read more of Arriel in the near future :)

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, and Arriel Vinson for the opportunity to read Under the Neon Lights in exchange for an honest review.
Under the Neon Lights is a HiLo novel-in-verse capturing the fun beat of rollerblading while exploring the complications of family dynamics, friendship, and teen romance in the Black community.

The Significance of WestSide Roll:
Se in Indianapolis, the world of sixteen-year-old Jaelyn Coleman revolves around Saturdays at WestSide Roll. This is what every week leads up to, providing an escape from the complexities of adolescence. The roller rink, a vibrant hub within her predominantly Black neighborhood, offers a space where Jaelyn and her peers can fully embrace their identities. Surrounded by the rhythmic beats of DJ Sunny, the tempting scent of concessions, and a familiar community of old heads, dance crews, and regulars, Jaelyn finds comfort and belonging. WestSide roll is the place she can truly feel like herself, expressing her freedom through her skate moves. These moments of pure joy and expression allow her to momentarily forget the other not-so-fun aspects of her life, particularly the strained relationship with her father and the growing distance from her best friend.

The Looming Threat of Gentrification:
Gentrification is a topic we briefly discuss in my 10th Grade English class. It is something that seems good, but upends the worlds of many lives. Jaelyn’s world is thrown into turmoil when the inevitable forces of gentrification threaten to dismantle her safe haven. This means the wealthier families and businesses are aiming to buy out the neighborhoods of the working class or low income to make them more for the rich. The news that WestSide Roll is shutting down comes as a devastating blow, signaling the oncoming wave of luxury developments and upscale businesses into her community. For Jaelyn, this is not just the loss of a beloved rink, but the destruction of a space where Black teens like herself can thrive and exist authentically. The physical transformation of her neighborhood, once a vibrant reflection of its residents, serves as a harsh metaphor for the challenges Jaelyn faces—personal, familial, and now, socio-economic. In this way, the rink’s closure symbolizes of the broader, often invisible forces at work in her life, forces from which she cannot escape, no matter how fast she skates. Forces that many people can relate to.

The Driving Force:
Westside Roll is where Jaelyn spends time with he best friend, Noe, and where she meets Trey, a potential boyfriend. Jaelyn's best friend is going down a path she doesn't really want to follow. Many parties, lots of boys, and a lot less rollerblading. Jaelyn needs to have a heart-to-heart if she is to maintain her best friendship. Trey, on the other hand, is kind of like a new best friend, a love interest, and a source of inspiration for Jaelyn as everything else seems to be tumbling down around her.

Final Thoughts:
I love any novel-in-verse. They have a beat and are always a joy to read. I was expecting something crazy or devastating to happen, but this is one of those novels that focuses more on contemporary issues and how to work through them. Jaelyn has separated parents and lives with her mom. She hardly ever hears from her father, so this novel is relatable to those in a similar experience. She learns that it is her choice to forgive her father or give him more chances. Through her friendships, she also learns how to let go or move on. She may have looked forward to Saturday's at WestSide Roll, but eventually, there are other joys she will find in life. Nothing lasts forever.

I find this novel both an easy and complex read simultaneously. It's a great book for a high school audience, especially those seeking a story about the Black experience, family dynamics, and the journey of friendship.

I enjoyed this story a lot! The verse component took some getting used to, but overall made for a fast-paced read. I particularly enjoyed the various lessons in love, family, and self-discovery for the young adult audience. Vinson also offered fantastic commentary on the importance of finding and maintaining community. Overall, highly enjoyable and very likely to recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a beautifully written novel in verse about teen romance, family ties, friendships growing and changing, and the effects of gentrification all set around the MC, Jaelyn's, favorite place: WestSide Roll.

If Vinson isn't a roller skater, she sure did her research, because just like the romance and the teen characters, the rink felt very authentic. As a white woman in my 30s, my skate experience is very different from Jaelyn's, but the regulars, favorite skate songs, and everybody's signature moves rang so true. I can't imagine Jaelyn's pain, if my rink were to close. I thought Vinson handles it well, bringing Jaelyn through the grief of that while also dealing with so many interpersonal relationships in flux. In Jaelyn she's made a strong, charismatic, young woman coming of age as she loses the place where so much of her childhood happened.

This was a powerful story of finding and maintaining a sense of community even when facing unwanted changes from the perspective of a teenager.

I found the format of the novel in verse to take some getting used to, especially trying to keep track of the conversations and dialogue.

Thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC for my review.

I loved the concept of this novel but for some reason I just couldn’t get into the format style. I loved everything about it other than that. I can’t find anything else that I didn’t like the characters were amazing.