The Same Beat

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Despite enjoying it, I am not someone who usually finds myself reaching out to pick up poetry on a regular basis. I am so glad I requested this book and found it to be a poignant and heart warming exploration of self, friendship and falling in love.

I admired the complete adoration that Teegan felt for Maria and it was evident the impact that Maria has in Teegan's life from an early age. I truly believe that such loyal and honest friends are hard to come by and when you have them in your life, you should hold on. Teegan has also spent much of her life living in Maria's shadows yet this doesn't make her bitter or cruel, which is a testament to the strength of their bond.

Following Teegan on her journalism camp journey in New York was an absolute joy! I've always believed that New York is one of the best cities in the world to find yourself falling in love with someone and Britton-Barrows captures that exact emotion. As a reader you connect and empathise with Teegan as she navigates her feeling for Marcy, the new experiences she encounters in a new city and the loss she feels at not having Maria by her side in these new chapters of her life.

This book is a gorgeous ode to those who seek to find themselves and have their voice heard in the world, for those finding love in the most unexpected of places and times.

The Same Beat by Dakota Britton-Barrows was an extremely relatable read. I related so much to Teegan, who she was as a person, her struggles, her journey, etc. It even reminded me of my summer in New York doing a "poetry tour" for lack of a better term. The writing was rhythmic and beautiful. I enjoyed this story and poetry a lot.

I received an eARC from West 44 Books through NetGalley. All opinions are 100% my own.

I freaking love the cover!

"I know where I am going

And I just feel
so grateful."


I love this book in verse so much!

All the friendship and young love vibes!

The writing is heartfelt and honest. I was quite emotional during the second half. It's heartfelt.

The book feels like home. It will give you a space just to let you feel when you are just yourself.

Recommending it. Grab the book when it comes out.

Thank you, West 44 Books and the author, for the advance reading copy.

The Same Beat is a story written in poetry. I don't generally read poetry and have only read one other book in this style before, but found myself enjoying this one more than I'd expected.

Teegan has never known who she is — but after taking a journalism course one summer she meets Marcy, who shows her who exactly she could be, and who she truly is.

I thought this was a heartwarming and fun read but I thought that it could have had more depth however I understand that this told a lot of story in a short amount of time and demonstrated multiple forms of love throughout (which I admired — platonic as well as romantic).

This book will be extremely meaningful for younger queer teens, and I hope that it finds its way into their hands.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of The Same Beat in exchange for an honest review.

Hi-lo books that explore queer themes always make me so happy because for me at least, literature had a lot to do with figuring out and embracing my sexuality so seeing that experience being catered to wider audiences is spectacular and I think The Same Beat does a really good job at mapping out its character relationships in a small yet effective word count.

Also! In verse hi-lo books are absolutely genius and I never shut up about them in my education courses. If you're not using these as a resource for reluctant or struggling readers you're doing something wrong.

The bright pink colour of the cover of this book is what initially drew my eye. I think the font is very 70’s-esque. Then there’s the pieces of newspaper leaving the shape of a heart at the centre of the cover.

Basically, the two main characters, are teenagers at the point in their lives where they are considering what college to go to, as well as what they want to major in and their aspirations for future careers.

Teegan is the main character and she is upset that the person she thought of as her best friend forever is, how she views it, abandoning her this summer to go on a road trip checking out colleges. Despite the two besties having decided years ago that they would choose the same college and remain best friends whilst their too.

In an effort to “bring her out of her shell,” Teegan finds herself coerced into going to a journalism camp. Though eager to learn more about journalism she is still nervous of being so far away from home without anyone else she knows. Teegan tries to look at the positives, the camp will look great on her CV and the experience should be fun too.

Once at journalism camp, the students are assigned “beats” and she is paired up with the outgoing, full of life, Marcy. Marcy reveals that she is bi sexual, which initially makes Teegan kind of back away but the more she is around Marcy, the more comfortable she becomes.
In a way Marcy helps Teegan discover her own self. Teegan has always had her best friend who did most of the talking and Teegan was happy with that. Teegan slowly pushes her way out of her own shelf, slowing lowering her walls with the encouragement of Marcy. Marcy’s tender coaching and encouraging Teegan means the two become closer and closer. Teegan finds herself opening her mind and heart to Marcy.

I loved the task that the Journalism students were given on the first day of their course which was to write about their beat partner and what they thought of them. These initial tasks are handed in but they are only half of the assignment, as at the end of the camp they need to do the same piece of work and write about their beat partner again.

Theres also a point in the book where Teegan’s school friend is in New York as part of her road trip and wants to meet up. Teegan is hesitant to introduce her best friend from school, to her new friend Marcy. Will Marcy like her best friend more than her? Will Teegan’s school mate see a difference in Teegan?

I really enjoyed reading this book. To be honest I could identify with the introvert that Teegan was at the beginning of the book. I would never have had the courage to go to a camp or away from home at that age, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Teegan coming out of her shell, and gaining confidence with the help and persuasion of Marcy.

Summing up all three girls in the book are going through changes in their lives over the same summer, and this book is how they handle the choices they need to make for their own futures. I feel like I should confess if anyone asked me to read a poetry book, I would shy away thinking I would not enjoy it. However, these books come under the genre of poetry and are wrote in verse and I honestly love reading them, and eagerly await more titles coming out. They have really changed my view and attitude about poetry and reading books told in verse. These books are also classified as “Hi-Lo” meaning they are “high interest” but you don’t need to be a great reader to be able to read and enjoy them. They are also quite short stories so do not take long to read. I think these books should be available in all schools to encourage every child to read no matter their reading ability or attention span.

The Same Beat
by Dakota Britton-Barrows
Pub Date 01 Jan 2022 | Archive Date 02 Jan 2022
West 44 Books
Poetry | Teens & YA



I am reviewing a copy of The Same Beat through West 44 Books and :



To Teagan words matter, words like best friends forever and future. Teegan takes an opportunity to go to New York City for journalism camp, where she is assigned to work the same beat as brilliant, complex Marcy.




As Teegan starts to fall in love with Marcy, she realizes the need to discover her own voice. Can she find the right words to say how she feels, and the courage to figure out what she wants before their summer is over.


I give The Same Beat three out of five stars!




Happy Reading!

3.5 stars
A non-prose story with each page being a different “poem” featuring extended metaphors and lots of poetry devices.

The vibe:
A coming of age story about a teenage girl who is discovering herself and who she wants to be after high school.

Pros:
A very unique way of presenting a story I had never read anything like it before. It was a quick read.
The characters are the centre of the story and it explores a very relatable notion of finding yourself and your place in the wider world after high school.

Cons:
I didn’t mesh well with this approach to storytelling and found it a little harder to submerge myself into the story and relate to the characters.

My standout quote:
"I'm just so happy to have a new friend.
It's just been a long day.
Maybe I miss physical touch.
Maybe I am tired.
Maybe my body was cold alone.
Maybe I am happy to have warmth.
Maybe I like ...
Maybe she likes ...
Maybe the summer is sinking in too quick.
Maybe I'm the cover-up to my own story."