Thank you so much to Netgalley and MBRD publishing for the arc!

♾️/5⭐️I loved this book so much!! This was such a fun read that had so much depth and I absolutely loved every second of it!

The characters are so likeable and I loved how much depth they all had, whether side characters (Remy, Bryn and Monique are my favs!!) who had their own personal stories or the main characters themselves. JJ and Aang are both such strong characters full of so much personality and the author managed to make them feel so realistic and the banter between the two of them is some of the best I’ve read! I loved reading each of their personal stories and it was so interesting and also important to see their conflicting feelings on their identities as it really brought a lot of understanding to the way someone can feel. I loved the development of their relationship and how it was both friends to lovers and second chance as they’re two of my favourites to read and it was executed so well. The interactions between the two of them felt so real and I loved how there was the perfect mix of deeper messages, cute moments and funny interactions between the two. Their relationship progressed at the perfect pace and it was so easy to become invested in their story and feel connected to them, I never wanted to put the book down!

The plot itself made this feel like so much more than a romance book and I love how much their cultures and identities were relevant to the plot. It brought so much depth and really gave me an insight and greater understanding into the conflicts someone can face regarding their culture and place they currently live in. I think diverse books are so important and I really hope people will find this one as it discusses so many important topics whilst remaining such a light, fun read and definitely feels like the kind of book that is needed and also missing within its genre. I absolutely loved the use of the footnotes too which added so much and felt so immersive and gave such an added in depth feel to their cultures and supported the overall plot so well. I also loved how the book had a huge focus on cheerleading as it was really nice seeing it from this side instead of the cliches I often see in books. It also had such a 2000’s romcom feel which I personally love so much!

I don’t know if this is going to be a series or not but I’d absolutely love to revisit these characters again, either the side characters own stories or even another book of JJ and Aang in the next stage of their lives! I highly recommend this book and would definitely read it again! I’ve definitely found a new favourite author here and I’ll definitely be following along for any future books released!

Thank you so much NetGalley for providing me with this ARC for an honest review and all opinions are mine

🌸 My Experience
I genuinely LOVED this book. I actually love contemporary romance when it's done well, but sometimes I find that books within the genre can start to feel quite generic or follow very similar storylines and tropes. This did not feel generic at all.

There was so much more to this story than the romance, and I think the integration of real-life experiences and issues that people genuinely face made such a huge difference. The exploration of identity, racism, culture, belonging, family and friendship gave the story so much depth while still allowing it to be funny, adorable and genuinely enjoyable.

I became SO attached to JJ, Aang and Remy, and by the end I really didn't want to leave these characters behind. This was exactly the kind of contemporary romance I love — one that gives you the cute romance and chemistry, but also feels connected to real life and gives you something to think about.

It was also such an easy and enjoyable read. I never felt like the story dragged, and I was completely hooked from beginning to end.

💕 Quick Spoiler-Free Premise
I’ll Be a Home for You is a YA contemporary romance that follows JJ and Aang, two characters whose lives and relationship bring together different interests, cultures and experiences. Alongside the romance, the story explores identity, family, friendship, racism and the complicated question of where — and with whom — we feel that we belong.

What I really appreciated is that these themes aren't separate from the characters' lives. They naturally become part of the story and give the book so much more depth than a romance that focuses solely on the relationship.

🌷 Characters
JJ was definitely one of my favourite characters, and I loved seeing her gradually become more open throughout the book. Her development, particularly in how she became more comfortable being vulnerable with the people around her, was really lovely to see.

I also adored Aang's character development. One of my favourite aspects was watching him become genuinely invested in cheerleading and challenge the stereotypes surrounding it. It was so refreshing to see him embrace something without allowing assumptions about what is or isn't a "girl's sport" to define his experience.

And then there's Remy, who I absolutely adored. I became so attached to these characters individually, but I also loved watching their friendships develop throughout the story.

I will say that I really disliked Michael, but I also understood why his character was important to the story. Although I didn't enjoy him, I think his role helped demonstrate some of the struggles the other characters were experiencing.

💗 Romance & Relationships
The ex-best-friends-to-lovers relationship between JJ and Aang was one of my favourite parts of the book.

Their relationship felt believable because there was already so much history and care between them. Their chemistry felt natural, and I loved how much they genuinely cared about one another.

I especially loved how raw their relationship could feel. Their connection wasn't just about the romantic side of their relationship — their friendship and understanding of one another were just as important.

I also loved how much Aang cared about JJ, particularly the way he looked out for her. 🥹 Their relationship felt like it developed naturally from their friendship, which made the romantic side of it even more meaningful.

🌍 Culture, Identity & Representation
This was one of my favourite things about the entire book.

I absolutely loved how naturally the characters' cultures were integrated into the story. Rather than simply mentioning their backgrounds, the book gives readers the opportunity to actually learn about their cultures, traditions and experiences as part of the story.

I particularly loved the inclusion of words from their different languages and the fact that definitions were provided in the footnotes. This was such a small detail, but I thought it made such a huge difference.

It meant I could encounter something unfamiliar, understand what it meant and continue reading without feeling lost. It also made the cultural elements feel authentic and meaningful rather than feeling like information had been added purely for the sake of representation.

I genuinely think this created such a perfect balance between storytelling and learning. I was entertained by the story while also coming away having learned about cultures, traditions and experiences that I might not otherwise have known about.

I honestly wish more books did this.

The book also handles identity, racism and belonging in a way that felt incredibly raw. I appreciated how openly the characters were able to discuss their experiences and the complicated feelings that can come with feeling disconnected from parts of your identity or feeling as though you don't completely belong.

These conversations gave the book another layer beyond the romance and made it feel much more connected to real life. These are issues that real people experience, and I really appreciated seeing them explored through the characters rather than simply mentioned in passing.

✨ Writing Style
The writing was so easy to get into. It was descriptive enough to create a strong picture of the characters and their surroundings without ever becoming overly detailed or boring.

I especially loved how raw the writing felt when discussing racism and identity. Those sections felt honest and personal, particularly when the characters expressed their experiences, frustration and emotions.

I also really enjoyed the little pieces of text at the beginning of the chapters. They gave the book a distinctive structure and were such a lovely addition.

Overall, the writing kept me completely engaged. It wasn't overly complicated, but it still had enough detail and emotion to make the story feel rich.

📣 Cheerleading, Mathletes & Setting
I LOVED the combination of cheerleading and Mathletes.

It gave the book something different and made it feel like more than a standard contemporary romance. I enjoyed seeing how both activities became part of the characters' lives and contributed to their development.

Aang learning cheerleading was especially fun to read, and I loved watching him take it seriously and genuinely become invested in it.

The setting and atmosphere also worked really well for the story. I felt immersed in the world of the characters, and the combination of school life, competitions, friendships and family created such an enjoyable atmosphere.

📖 Plot & Pacing
I honestly don't think there was a point where the book dragged for me.

The pacing kept me hooked, and I always wanted to continue reading. I think the balance between the romance, friendships, family, competitions and deeper themes worked particularly well.

The story also never felt like it was simply following a predictable contemporary romance formula. There were so many other elements woven into it that kept it feeling fresh and distinctive.

The only part where I felt the pacing could have been stronger was towards the end.

⚖️ Criticisms
There honestly wasn't much that I disliked about this book, which made this section quite difficult to write for a 5-star read!

My main criticism would be that the ending needed a little more build-up. Some of the final developments and decisions felt quite quick, and I would have loved to see more conversations and build-up throughout the story leading towards them. I think this would have made the ending feel even more natural and satisfying.

That being said, I don't think I would actually change the direction of the ending. I think I simply wanted more time to experience and understand how the characters reached that point, especially because I had become so attached to them by then.

Other than that, I genuinely struggled to find anything I would change.

💗 Emotional Impact & Themes
This book made me think about identity, belonging, family, friendship, racism, love, culture and home.

One of the messages that stayed with me most was the importance of opening up and talking to people. Sometimes we can feel completely alone in an experience, only to discover that someone else understands exactly what we're going through.

I loved seeing the characters become more vulnerable with one another and realise that they didn't necessarily have to carry everything by themselves.

I also loved how the real-life issues explored throughout the book were integrated into the characters' everyday experiences. It made the story feel much more authentic and meaningful, rather than having the romance exist in its own little bubble.

And I loved how the idea of home connects to the wider themes of identity and belonging. It made me think about how home isn't always simply a place — it can also be connected to the people, culture and relationships that make you feel understood.

🌸 Final Verdict
I honestly LOVED this book. It was everything I want from a contemporary romance.

I love the genre when it's done well, but sometimes contemporary romances can feel very similar to one another. I'll Be a Home for You completely avoided that for me. It felt fresh, funny, adorable and meaningful, while still giving me all the romance and chemistry I wanted.

I became SO attached to JJ, Aang and Remy, and I loved watching their relationships and individual journeys develop. The romance was adorable, but what made the book stand out was everything surrounding it — the friendships, family relationships, cheerleading, Mathletes, identity, racism, culture and belonging.

One of my favourite aspects was how much I learned while reading. I loved the integration of culture, traditions and language, and the footnotes explaining unfamiliar words were such a brilliant addition. It created exactly the kind of balance I wish more books had: a story that entertains you while also teaching you something new.

I also really appreciated how the book incorporated real-life issues that people genuinely experience. It gave the story a sense of authenticity and depth that stopped it from feeling like just another contemporary romance.

Despite the ending needing a little more build-up, I genuinely struggled to find anything else I would change. This book completely won me over, and I finished it feeling so attached to the characters and so happy that I had picked it up.

A definite 5 stars from me. 🌷

🎀 Signature Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

One-word review: Heartwarming 💗

Favourite characters: JJ & Remy

Favourite relationship: JJ & Aang

Favourite theme: Identity & belonging

Favourite element: The integration of culture, traditions & language 🌍

Vibe: Funny • heartfelt • romantic • sporty • nerdy • comforting 🌸📚