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I don’t read as much young adult fiction as I used to, but I knew I would read this book the minute I saw it was written by Tia Williams. Ever since reading Seven Days in June, I’ve vowed to read anything and everything she writes—from her backlist books to her grocery lists (if I could get my hands on them). So there was no doubt I would read this one. But then I found out it starred Audre, the daughter from Seven Days in June and one of my favorite characters. My mind turned into a million heart-eye emojis. Still, I wondered if the novel would live up to my very high expectations.
Friends, she pulled it off. She pulled it off big time. This book is romantic, funny, and full of both grief and growing up. The depth is there, but the characters and story feel incredibly teenagery at the same time. This book certainly works as a standalone. But if you also loved the witty, insightful Audre from Seven Days In June, then you’ll definitely want to read the continuation of her story ASAP.
Audre & Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Audre used to be a delightfully precocious middle schooler. But now, as a 16-year-old anxious overachiever, she feels behind. Behind in life experience. Behind in romance. Behind in knowing how to just have fun. She’s also adjusting to her mother’s new husband and baby, along with her father canceling Dadifornia time over the summer because of his wife’s pregnancy. Talk about feeling left behind. Aside from family troubles, Audre is reeling after a truly traumatic prom night that she hasn’t been able to tell anyone about, not even her mom.
To try to regain some sense of power over her life, she decides to write a self-help book for other teens to make her college applications stand out. But writing is not going well either. It turns out she doesn’t actually know that much about being a typical teen. That’s where Bash comes in. He’s a new boy in the Brooklyn private school scene, with a million rumors swirling around him. He is the perfect “fun consultant” to show Audre the teenage experience. But, of course, things get deep between them. And as their obvious chemistry turns into feelings, both move forward on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Reading Audre & Bash Are Just Friends felt fun and thought-provokingly deep at the same time. I laughed at the clever quips, swooned over longing glances and stolen smooches, and loved catching up with Eva and Shane’s relationship. But I also appreciated the realistic portrayal of trauma, mental health struggles, and rough edges of growing up. Bash is the perfect laid-back, surfer book boyfriend. But I will be Team Audre Zora Toni Mercy Moore (because saying her full name is important) for life after finishing this book.
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The following comes to you from the Editorial Desk.
This week, we’re highlighting a guide to reading short stories! If you’ve been curious about what short stories have to offer and want to make them part of your reading life, get to know the form and learn where you can find some good ones so you can get started right away. Read on for an excerpt and become an All Access member to unlock the full post.
May is Short Story month, so what’s on your reading list this month? Short stories are one of my favorite things to read right now. Life’s busy, and short stories are fiction that can fit into a hectic day. Instead of using the one-chapter-per-night method to work your way through a novel, what might it look like to read a short story each evening?
I love short stories precisely because they’re every bit as interesting, complex, and beautiful as longer fiction, but they’re more realistic to read when you’ve got a lot going on.
I have a confession: I used to hate short stories. Okay, okay, maybe “hate” is too strong a word. Let’s just say that I basically refused to read them. You might be wondering why I would have such a strong aversion to short stories.
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