Odd One Out

Coop, Jupiter, and Rae form a close-knit trio navigating their high school years in Atlanta. Jupiter and Courtney ("Coop") have been best friends since childhood, while Rae is a more recent addition to their group. The three teens grapple with questions about their sexuality, friendship boundaries, and romantic feelings for one another. Their dynamics shift as they explore their identities and deal with the complexities of their interconnected relationships. Through alternating perspectives, each character reveals their inner conflicts about love, attraction, and self-discovery. The story examines how their individual journeys affect their bonds with each other and their understanding of themselves. This YA contemporary novel tackles themes of sexual identity, friendship evolution, and the blurred lines between platonic and romantic love. The narrative explores how teenagers process their changing emotions while trying to maintain their most important relationships.

Readers appreciate the authentic portrayal of teenage relationships, sexuality exploration, and close friendships. Many note how the book handles complex emotions around questioning one's identity. Multiple reviewers connect with the characters' struggles to define themselves beyond traditional labels. Common criticisms focus on the book's structure, with some readers finding the three-perspective format confusing. Several reviews mention that the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the middle section. Some readers express frustration with the characters' decision-making and communication issues. Specific praise highlights the representation of platonic love between friends and the realistic portrayal of high school dynamics. Critics point out repetitive internal monologues and underdeveloped secondary characters. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (40+ ratings) One recurring comment across platforms: "The messy relationships feel true to the teenage experience, even when the characters make questionable choices."

Let's Talk About Love by Claire Kann This coming-of-age romance follows a biromantic asexual Black woman navigating relationships and identity in college.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson A Black queer teen runs for prom queen while falling for her competition at a Midwestern high school.

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar Two girls - one Irish-Bangladeshi and Muslim, one Irish-Brazilian - clash then connect through competing henna businesses while exploring their identities and first love.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender A Black, queer, trans teen artist confronts identity, first love, and self-discovery during a transformative summer in New York City.

The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan A Bengali-American Muslim lesbian struggles to balance family expectations, cultural traditions, and her authentic self when her conservative parents discover her girlfriend.

🔸 Author Nic Stone wrote this book as a response to the lack of stories about questioning teens, particularly those exploring their sexuality while maintaining deep friendships. 🔸 The novel's unique structure features three interlinked perspectives, with each section showing the same events from different characters' viewpoints. 🔸 Courtney "Coop" Cooper's character was partially inspired by Stone's own high school experiences with close male friends who were comfortable showing platonic affection. 🔸 The book tackles rarely-discussed topics in YA literature, such as the complexity of being attracted to multiple genders and the dynamics of polyamorous relationships. 🔸 Stone wrote the first draft of "Odd One Out" in just six weeks, though the revision process took significantly longer to perfect the three distinct narrative voices.