title: Let's Talk About Love
author:  Claire Kann 
description: Gr 9 UpAlice's first year at college did not go the way she planned. First, her parents kept pressuring her to declare prelaw as her major, then her best friends changed plans at the last minute and got an apartment off campus for themselves. By the end of the year, she's still undeclared, and her roommate-turned-girlfriend turned ex-girlfriend has reenforced Alice's fears that no one will stay with her once they find out she's asexual. When she shows up to work one day to meet the beautiful and sweet Takumi, Alice is blown away by her feelings toward him but terrified of being hurt again. This story, originally published online, is undoubtedly, but not heavy-handedly, focused on Alice's sexual identity. While side story lines add some depth to Alice and offer up a diverse cast of supporting characters, they are mostly underdeveloped or tangential. Alice's relationship with her best friends Feenie and Ryan, who are a couple, alternates between charming and troublesome. They, along with a few others in Alice's life, are often unfairly or aggressively demanding of her, but the book rarely addresses it as more than overzealous love. Despite that, Alice and her struggle to grow while maintaining her identity are heartfelt and real. Alice is black, biromantic, and asexual, and her relationship with Takumi is genuine and fun. VERDICT A light, enjoyable asexual romance with outstanding representation. Recommended for any teen collection.Amy Diegelman, formerly at Vineyard Haven Public Library, MA
zlib_text: “I Do…I Don’t…I Do?”
  RUST CREEK RAMBLINGS
  The fallout from last month’s wedding-to-end-all-weddings continues. Did
  you hear that Claire Strickland and her oh-so-handsome husband, Levi
  Wyatt, have called it quits? Everyone thought these two were the perfect
  couple with the most perfect baby. One minute they were together, the next
  there was a poker game and then… What could have possibly steered these
  two young lovebirds off course?
  Even though they are on the outs, rumor has it that Claire and Levi have both
  taken up domicile at Strickland’s Boarding House. We find this behavior
  highly suspect—and everyone in town is weighing in, too! So don’t pack
  your suitcases yet, dear readers—we have a feeling this love story is far from
  over!
  
  “I’ve missed you, little darlin’,” Levi said, smiling
  down into his daughter’s face. “Did you miss me,
  too?”
  More than anything in the world, Claire thought, observing the way he was
  with Bekka. And more than you’ll ever know.
  With more than a little effort