A review by teereadsbooks
Donut Summer by Anita Kelly

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

This is Anita Kelly's YA debut, and they really nailed it. So often, we see adult authors venture into YA, and all we see are teenage stereotypes with not much depth. Anita Kelly didn't do that at all. Penny and Mateo are complex but believable 16-year-olds. Anita presents them as actual human beings and not caricatures of teens since (*shocker*) teenagers are their own human beings with their own issues and struggles. Anita also handles the harder topics of mental health, sexuality, and gender with so much care and respect. You can tell, as always, that they truly care about the characters they are writing. Penny's anxiety was painfully relatable and realistically represented. This story covers the complexities of family, friends, money, gender, sexuality, and mental health as a teen so wonderfully. Anita Kelly is amazing, and their YA debut is just as amazing as they are.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.