saralynnburnett 's review for:

Juniors by Kaui Hart Hemmings

5.0

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This book is criminally underrated and under-read. I absolutely adored it! TAKE ME BACK TO HAWAII! OMG this hit my soul. The author went to Punahou and I taught at Punahou for a while and all the Hawaii-isms (Oahu specifically) just *chef's kiss.* Sometimes I miss that place in my bones and this gave me that loving ache for a place and a time I knew and loved for almost a decade. I found the relationships and the issues these juniors & seniors are dealing with realistic AF and loved it for that. And for the island setting, of course. Loved revisiting old haunts of mine through these pages like Fighting Eel, Kailua, Waimea Bay, Doris Duke's estate, Punahou's campus, Muumuu Heaven (which sadly I've heard has since closed down) & so much more.

Need one now with Chinatown First Fridays & HoMa nights.

I want more books like this in my life. Contemporary Hawaii books. ASAP. Inject them into my veins.