I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

This was such a cute Holiday YA Romance! Lyric & Juniper’s journey was very enjoyable as their unexpected relationship blossomed. What started out as an arrangement, quickly turned into something more with the undeniable chemistry between them. Despite the adorable scenes that make readers swoon, there were also some more serious topics such as complicated family dynamics and childhood trauma.Although these were some easy to love characters, they of course did things sometimes that made me yell at them, then I reminded myself that they are teenagers, doing their best in that moment. I definitely extended them some grace, considering sometimes the adults in the story also made poor choices. My heart ached for Lyric & her Grammy as they constantly dealt with the aftermath of Lyric’s mom’s poor behavior choices. Juniper dealing with the domestic issues in her household was also very emotional.In addition to the hardback, I listened to the audiobook and I literally squealed in delight to see that Shayna Small was one of the narrators, I always love her narration & she is one of my top favs! This was my first audiobook experience by Rae De Vine and both these ladies did a phenomenal job bringing life to these characters!Overall, recommended for those that enjoy well written, YA Romance stories with LGBTQ+ representation. Thank you Fierce Reads for a gifted copy!

This was a cute fake dating holiday romance. I liked that it was wintery without being over-the-top focused on Christmas itself. The feisty grandmother was a hoot. And I thought this did a great job tackling some tough issues (deceased and absent parents, foster care, infidelity, divorce, etc.). This had some of the most realistic parents and guardians I’ve seen in YA.Lyric and Juniper had nice chemistry, though I didn’t really feel like they connected on a deep enough level or let their guards down around each other enough for me to fully root for their romance. I also felt like they didn’t grow enough over the course of the book to be ready for anything more serious than the fling they were pretending to be having. They seemed like a couple who’d probably date for a few months before ultimately deciding they were better off as friends.I also struggled a little with the alternative formatting of Juniper’s chapters, though on the upside it did make it easier to distinguish whose POV each chapter was in. Granted the readability issues are likely because I use a kindle with a large font size, so I’m guessing the print version would be easier to follow. That said, I did find Juniper to be very lovable and relatable, so the writing itself of those chapters wasn’t an issue for me, just the layout.Three and a half stars rounded up to four for the ’zon.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for this eARC/What makes it stand out is how the author blends both verse and prose to tell Juniper and Lyric’s dual points of view, something I’ve never seen done in YA before. The format adds rhythm and emotion, especially with the song recommendations that open each verse chapter.Juniper and Lyric’s fake dating romance is charming and heartfelt, with just the right touch of messiness especially when Juniper befriends Lyric’s ex, who’s clearly not over her. Beyond the romance, what I really appreciated is how these characters are realistic teens with imperfect lives. From Lyric’s background in foster care and her role caring for her grandmother to Juniper’s family adjusting to her moms’ reconciliation, there’s so much authenticity here. Many young readers will definitely see themselves reflected in their struggles and resilience.Is there a ton of relationship depth and growth? Not necessarily but as others have pointed out, they’re teens, and that makes the story feel believable. The entire plot unfolds over about a month (December into January), so it’s a bit fast-paced, and I do wish there was more time to let things develop. Still, it’s a creative, cozy, and emotionally grounded YA romance that’s worth the read. 💜

Title: I've Got My Love to Keep Me WarmAuthor: Mariama J. LockingtonPublisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FourReview:"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" by Mariama J. LockingtonMy Insight:"I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" was an enjoyable and charming read set during the winter holidays. Although I don't typically read this genre, I was drawn to it by its beautiful cover. The themes of fake dating, queer chaos, and holiday connections were quite engaging. I loved the characters, especially Lyric, a foster care survivor, and Juniper, who is vibrant and filled with holiday spirit. They felt relatable, and I appreciated how they navigated their relationship, ultimately finding their way thanks to their love. The dynamic of their fake dating added an interesting layer to the story!

I read this book because I feel it’s important for me, as a Black woman who reads like I’m running out of time, to also read YA. This book is queer as all get out, Black, a little raw, and has fake dating like I love. I’m not used to reading about teenagers embarking on that kind of swindle, but we tend to get up to some hare-brained schemes before our brains fully develop lol. This is my introduction to Lockington and I can say I’d read more of her work. I struggled a little with Juniper’s verse chapters but that’s a me problem for sure. I would have liked to see a little more from the story (the ending wrapped up pretty quickly) but it was still a good read. Cute and a little introspective just in time for the holiday season. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review. 4 stars.