Nate plus One by Kevin van Whye - OPTIONAL

Nate Plus One by Kevin van Whye, 247 pages. Random House Children’s Books (Penguin Random House), 2022. $18.

Language: R (63 swears, 5 “f”); Mature Content: R (teenage drinking, frequent safe sex discussions, and one fade-to-black sex scene); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Nate is a 17yo Black teenager who dreams of being behind the scenes as a songwriter, rather than the singer. He has a crush on his best friend, Jai, but prefers to keep it on the down-low. If Jai doesn’t know, Nate doesn’t have to get hurt, again. Except Nate is flying out to attend his cousin’s once-in-a-lifetime destination wedding in South Africa, and he just found out his ex-boyfriend (who ghosted him) will also be there. Jai volunteers to go as Nate’s plus one. That is just what a good friend would do, right? Or could it be something more?

First, I loved the South African setting. It clearly showed the author's first-hand experience with the location, culture, history, food, and people. Second, I loved the queer love story between two Brown boys. However, it did feel a little like Crazy Rich Asians but set in South Africa, with Nate's über wealthy paternal side of the family. I don't know how likely it is for two young boys to fly halfway around the world and spend so much time alone, like Nate and Jai did. So hurrah for the BIPOC & LGBTQ representation and accuracy in the setting, and a little meh for all the teenage angst and the secondary rock band competition plot line.

Kiera, BookswithBeddes