Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson - OPTIONAL

Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson, 384 pages. Penguin, 2025 $20 

Language: R (10 Swears 5 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Kissing); Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

16yo Jaelyn goes to the Westside Roll every Saturday night. It's a part of her life, her parents met there, she learned to skate there, and her friends are all the regulars. One skate, she was crashed into by the cutest guy she's ever seen: Trey. But the gentrification of the community is causing changes everywhere, even to institutions like Westside Roll. So when she hears that the skating rink is closing down, Jaelyn feels like she's losing a part of herself. 

This coming-of-age, slice-of-life story was nostalgic and heartfelt. Jaelyn is dealing with the typical teen issues of friend trouble and divorced parents, as well as more societal issues like raised rent, closed stores and restaurants, and increased police presence. I liked the teen perspective of dealing with things out of your control. 

The characters are black