A review by subbacultcha
All the Things We Never Knew by Liara Tamani

4.0

Some really decent ya realistic fiction with two Black main characters. Sure, they're a little dumb and dramatic abt love, but they're 16. And the author does prioritize them figuring out themselves before escaping into a couple, so big points there. Appreciated the complicatedness of their family situations. But some of it seemed a little far-fetched. Like if Rex's dad was in counseling, why wasn't Rex? And how could his dad's therapist have failed to nudge him into having a relationship with his son? And how could Carli's dad equate having a secret daughter with her mom's secret work project? And how could he ever feel entitled to sole custody? I mean, people are complicated but those things felt written to be dramatic. But still an enjoyable read. And I do appreciate realistic and diverse YA that's basically just abt normal high school life, warts and all.