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A review by vickycbooks
Kiss & Tell by Adib Khorram
5.0
I flew through this so fast -- it's such a perfect addition to the YA romcom landscape and would definitely make my list of top YA romcoms. Adib Khorram really never misses, and KISS & TELL is fun and thoughtful and trope-y, while still dealing with serious moments.
What KISS & TELL does really well, besides just being a fantastic YA romcom, is how it takes a gentle and nuanced approach at intersectional struggles without being overly moralistic. It can be really easy to either write something that preaches at teen readers. On the other hand, it can be really easy to write YA in a way doesn't seem relatable or oriented at teen readers. I think KISS & TELL balances this perfectly -- although I'm a fair number of years off from being a teen reader -- as KISS & TELL brings up these nuanced, complex topics that really have no good answer (how to be part of a community or communities, how to balance the struggles of existing as a marginalized person and wanting to hide away, while also balancing the desire to help make good change for your community and be active, etc.) and is thoughtful and intentional about them within both the writing style's approach and framing of the topics as well as Hunter's choices and learning throughout the story.
KISS & TELL is a fun, fast-paced read, and although it has its heavy moments, they only help emphasize the immense joy that queer teens can experience. It's honest and sometimes silly (the band's breakout was a joke song called 'Poutine'!) and overall another fantastic read from Khorram.
What KISS & TELL does really well, besides just being a fantastic YA romcom, is how it takes a gentle and nuanced approach at intersectional struggles without being overly moralistic. It can be really easy to either write something that preaches at teen readers. On the other hand, it can be really easy to write YA in a way doesn't seem relatable or oriented at teen readers. I think KISS & TELL balances this perfectly -- although I'm a fair number of years off from being a teen reader -- as KISS & TELL brings up these nuanced, complex topics that really have no good answer (how to be part of a community or communities, how to balance the struggles of existing as a marginalized person and wanting to hide away, while also balancing the desire to help make good change for your community and be active, etc.) and is thoughtful and intentional about them within both the writing style's approach and framing of the topics as well as Hunter's choices and learning throughout the story.
KISS & TELL is a fun, fast-paced read, and although it has its heavy moments, they only help emphasize the immense joy that queer teens can experience. It's honest and sometimes silly (the band's breakout was a joke song called 'Poutine'!) and overall another fantastic read from Khorram.
Content Warnings
Content Warnings: homophobia (not condoned), white privilege, racism, death of a parent (in the past), sports injury, betrayal of private sexts, sex negativity (not condoned)