Kate and Anderson (Andy) are the very best of friends. The word Besties sums them up perfectly. They do everything together, tell each other everything and completely trust each other with secrets shared.

Their friends say they are codependent, especially when they crush on guys together over each summer. Kate always enjoys the angst and joy and second by second break downs of significant events with their latest crushes. eg Their crush smiles or speaks to them. They never take any of it seriously until they meet a boy called Matt.

Matt is one of the coaches at summer theatre camp. He’s gorgeous, kind and perfect to double-crush on over the holidays – Until he turns up at their school as a senior.

At first Kate and Andy can’t believe their luck. Not only is he attending their school, he is taking Drama class. Andy is in this class but Kate can’t shift her schedule around to attend too. This is the first blip in their bestie relationship.

Auditions are looming for the school musical – something Kate lives for every year. She and Andy audition and land great roles, and so does Matt. Blip no. 2.

This summer crush following them home is confusing, and they finally admit to each other that they really like Matt. Andy is gay and they don’t even know if Matt has a girlfriend or likes boys, but they decide to go with it, setting ground rules for their friendship. If Matt chooses either one of them, the other has to be happy for them. Easier said than done.

This results in a turmoil of feelings, and way less communication between these besties. Something they never ever dreamed could ever happen. Matt has his own turmoil going on and when he reveals this, Kate and Andy’s friendship is rocked even further. Can they save it?

The more I read Kate in Waiting, the more hooked I became. A joint summer crush between two friends (Kate & Andy) is fun, until that crush follows them into their real lives. Both adamant their feelings are real the friends vow that whoever the crush chooses, if them at all, they will be happy for the other.

Told in the POV of 17-yr-old Kate, she is funny, sweet, thoughtful and loyal to her friends. She wants her best friend to be happy while battling with her own feelings. I began to wonder if the boy they were crushing on is truly as nice as he seems or is he just playing with their emotions? You’ll have to read Kate in Waiting to find out!

Diversity is wonderfully present in this romantic comedy with Kate white and Jewish, Andy black and gay, and another friend bi. Some are brilliantly comfortable in their own skin, with others nervous and just on the cusp of coming out. Any budding singers, actors or theatre lovers will love the key plot of the school musical, with the many other entertaining story threads wrapped within it.

Funny, thoughtful, teen angst at its very best. The best romantic comedy I’ve read in ages.

Author – Becky Albertalli

Age – 16+

Read a review of Becky Albertalli’s Award winning novel (Click on the cover)

(Penguin, 2021, LGBTQ+, Gay, School, Secret, Friendship, Family, Growing up, Love, Romance, Crush, Angst, Feelings, Divorce, Award winning author, Theatre, Auditions, Acting, Siblings, Musical, Play, Break a leg, Broken hearts)