Love is a Revolution is a Young Adult Contemporary book written by Renée Watson. It’s my first book by the author, and I ‘d want to put this on record – I’d like to read more books celebrating black lives from now on.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A love story about not only a romantic relationship but how a girl finds herself and falls in love with who she really is.
When Nala Robertson reluctantly agrees to attend an open mic night for her cousin-sister-friend Imani’s birthday, she finds herself falling in instant love with Tye Brown, the MC. He’s perfect, except . . . Tye is an activist and is spending the summer putting on events for the community when Nala would rather watch movies and try out the new seasonal flavors at the local creamery. In order to impress Tye, Nala tells a few tiny lies to have enough in common with him. As they spend more time together, sharing more of themselves, some of those lies get harder to keep up. As Nala falls deeper into keeping up her lies and into love, she’ll learn all the ways love is hard, and how self-love is revolutionary.
In Love Is a Revolution, plus size girls are beautiful and get the attention of the hot guys, the popular girl clique is not shallow but has strong convictions and substance, and the ultimate love story is not only about romance but about how to show radical love to the people in your life, including to yourself.
NFF EVALUATION
| AREA OF FOCUS | RATING |
|---|---|
| COVER | ★★★★ |
| CHARACTERS | ★★★★ |
| ATMOSPHERE | ★★★★ |
| WRITING STYLE | ★★★★ |
| PLOT | ★★★★ |
| INTRIGUE | ★★★.5 |
| LOGIC/ RELATIONSHIPS | ★★★.5 |
| EXPERIENCE | ★★★★ |
PERFECT IF :
- you are wanting to read a cute -ish romance set in the most magical and terrifying phase of life aka the puppy love phase
- you are wanting to read a book that focuses on a young teenage girl who is learning to love and accept herself, trying to fit in and be someone her crush likes. She is trying to find her voice and own who she is with confidence.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Responsible and Inspiring Young Characters
- Cute Family & Friendship Scenes
- Self Love and Acceptance
- Randoms Lists & Summer Vibes
- Really Cute Date
Ideas to Steal & Some Gift Giving Lessons to take away too. 😛
FOR FANS OF :
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.
{Teen Love, Self Love}
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
{Family & Frendship Scenes, Plus Size Characters}
Anna & The French Kiss Series by Stephanie Perkins
{The Dates and The Cute Romance}
THINK TWICE IF:
- If you’re looking for a book written by a black author that specifically features racism
- A book that glamorizes the insecurities that comes with being a plus size girl, because you know that’s what most plus size girl characters have in common 🙂
REP/DIVERSITY
- Plus Size Girl
{Main Character}
- POC Characters
{Black Main & Side Character}
- Written by A Black Author
{Newbery Medal Award Winning Author}
THOUGHTS
NALA
This book is all about a normal teenage girl with a good support system around her and just teen problems to deal with like any other kid would have. Saying that, Nala is said to be a plus size black girl but this book not only highlights that in a very positive way but also makes sure there is room for a lingering self doubt because of that. Personally, I thought the hints were really subtle that did not over power the character arc. For instance, how Nala was experimenting with her hair that she always straightened , that quite sassy comment she gave her mother of how you usually find cuter plus size clothes online than in stores. I mean that is a good relatable observation right there without the dramatic cliche moments. Not that those aren’t important to have in books, but I just like the idea of reading between the lines and still having a plot separate from that. if you know what I mean!
Nala is flawed, she lied to get a guy to like her back. So not the idol character at first, but the growth by the end of the book is quite spectacular and serves the purpose of delivering the message, especially to who this book is targeted towards. I loved how she wrote a ton of lists which I am going to start doing for my journal too. that seems like a fun project by itself. She is opinionated which I absolutely adored about her too.
Also, except for her mother’s character, I loved every character in this book.
Her sister Imani, had such a lovely character arc too. Imani is a girl who has to share her parents with her cousin sister and oh god that jealousy is so real and well done.
PUPPY LOVE
OMG! I don’t care what anybody has to say about this but puppy love is the most magical phase in your teenage years. What I mean is, I am almost 27 years old now and I am way past that phase to be so in head over heels for someone to think the sun revolves around them or something. I am also not going to gain his attention or seek to impress someone by pretending to be someone else because well I have a job to do and I might cry for a day or two but that’s all you’re getting 😛 There is a phase for being absolutely madly in love with someone and think baby names before even getting to know the person and that is called the puppy love , and that phase is the best <3
Maybe I’m the weird one here, but I love how much importance Nala gives to Tye, very realistic <3 This book was hilarious and quite nostalgic at times. :P. Saying that, Tye was quite the gentleman unlike my teen crushes 😛
The Boston date was pretty cute , maybe not the gifts though 😛
FRIENDS & FAMILY
I absolutely love the scenes with her grandma at the old age home, and the friendship with Sadie and Imani so much. There were so many cute friendship and family moments scattered throughout the story. Of course, the fact that she was lying to Tye and how that suspense brews in the background kept me intrigued until the end. I loved how they were there for her, despite all the little drama.
RESPONSIBLE & INSPIRING CHARACTER ARCS
This book had young teenagers actually caring about the environment and also being responsible and active about it. So kids reading this, who are the main target audience of this book, have character arcs to look up to. I love the Inspire Harlem community events and also the idea of doing your bit your own way like how Nala ends up doing it.
RATING : 4.0/5.0
Overall, this book has enough cute moments to make me mushy and such well written character arcs to be inspired by. It’s about a girl that is trying so hard to fit, is learning to love herself and accept herself as she is. Personally, that’s such an important theme for teenagers and I find this book quite a good pick for teens and adults alike.
DETAILS
Pages : 304
Genre : YA , Contemporary
Published On : 02 February, 2021
Publisher : Bloomsbury YA