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Fade Into You
When Jessa and Bird join forces to break up their best friends’ toxic relationship, they start to fall for each other in this swoony ’90s romance from bestselling author Amber Smith and Sam Gellar, perfect for fans of She Gets the Girl.
Bird and Jessa don’t have much in common. Bird is an aspiring poet, still finding herself after a transformative summer away at writing camp. Jessa lives for the discovery of new music, using it to block out the dysfunction waiting for her at home. They would never have crossed paths if it weren’t for one shared Their two best friends have started dating, and the relationship is threatening to ruin their senior year.
Tired of coming second to their friends’ romance, the girls come to the only logical they have to break their friends up. But the more time Bird and Jessa spend scheming, the more they start to realize they might have more in common than they thought.
Set in the late ’90s in a world full of change as much as possibility, Jessa and Bird relearn what it means to love themselves and receive love in return, and to dream for a future they never imagined.
Bird and Jessa don’t have much in common. Bird is an aspiring poet, still finding herself after a transformative summer away at writing camp. Jessa lives for the discovery of new music, using it to block out the dysfunction waiting for her at home. They would never have crossed paths if it weren’t for one shared Their two best friends have started dating, and the relationship is threatening to ruin their senior year.
Tired of coming second to their friends’ romance, the girls come to the only logical they have to break their friends up. But the more time Bird and Jessa spend scheming, the more they start to realize they might have more in common than they thought.
Set in the late ’90s in a world full of change as much as possibility, Jessa and Bird relearn what it means to love themselves and receive love in return, and to dream for a future they never imagined.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
About the author
Amber Smith
21 books3,541 followersAmber Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels for young adults, including the international bestsellers The Way I Used to Be and The Way I Am Now, as well as the critically-acclaimed and award-winning novels, The Last to Let Go and Something Like Gravity. Along with her middle-grade debut,Code Name: Serendipity, she also contributed to the award-winning YA anthology, Our Stories, Our Voices. An advocate for increased awareness of mental health, gendered violence, and LGBTQIA+ equality, she writes in the hope that her books can help foster change and spark dialogue. She lives in Ithaca, NY with her wife and their ever-growing family of rescued dogs and cats. Find her online at AmberSmithAuthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
October 1, 2025
✨ Rating: 4 ⭐️
🫧 Vibes: ’90s high school romance
🎶 Song: fade into you - mazzy star
📖 Favourite Quote: "It feels like I have light in me and it’s opening out to the world and I learned how with her, somehow I learned how to love myself more from loving her."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: emotional, nostalgic, coming-of-age love
In the package:
📦 frenemies to lovers
📦 mental health rep
📦 90s nostalgia
Plot: The story follows Bird, who comes back from writing camp transformed and discovers her best friend, Kayla, has completely changed and is dating someone. On the other end, we follow Jessa, who hides behind music to survive the chaos at home and struggles with her best friend, Dade, being in a relationship. When they team up to break up their friends’ toxic relationship, their scheme draws them closer in ways they didn’t expect., forcing both girls to confront love, identity, and the risks of following their hearts.
Thoughts: This was a fantastic and also heartbreaking YA romance book. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning as this is set in the 90s, and therefore there are some difficult themes discussed and executed throughout the book. There was so much stigma around certain topics (mental health disorders, LGBTQIA+ and AIDS), which are explored in this book. While some parts were tougher to read than others, this book captures the bittersweet intensity of late ’90s high school life. Bird and Jessa feel raw and real—two girls caught between messy friendships, toxic dynamics, and the terrifying thrill of first love. Life in high school is messy and it's when we tend to make the most mistakes without properly thinking things through and this book nailed it. At times the pacing dragged a little, but otherwise I ate this book up.
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: ’90s high school romance
🎶 Song: fade into you - mazzy star
📖 Favourite Quote: "It feels like I have light in me and it’s opening out to the world and I learned how with her, somehow I learned how to love myself more from loving her."
📚 Would I recommend? yes!
💬 tldr thoughts: emotional, nostalgic, coming-of-age love
In the package:
📦 frenemies to lovers
📦 mental health rep
📦 90s nostalgia
Plot: The story follows Bird, who comes back from writing camp transformed and discovers her best friend, Kayla, has completely changed and is dating someone. On the other end, we follow Jessa, who hides behind music to survive the chaos at home and struggles with her best friend, Dade, being in a relationship. When they team up to break up their friends’ toxic relationship, their scheme draws them closer in ways they didn’t expect., forcing both girls to confront love, identity, and the risks of following their hearts.
Thoughts: This was a fantastic and also heartbreaking YA romance book. Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning as this is set in the 90s, and therefore there are some difficult themes discussed and executed throughout the book. There was so much stigma around certain topics (mental health disorders, LGBTQIA+ and AIDS), which are explored in this book. While some parts were tougher to read than others, this book captures the bittersweet intensity of late ’90s high school life. Bird and Jessa feel raw and real—two girls caught between messy friendships, toxic dynamics, and the terrifying thrill of first love. Life in high school is messy and it's when we tend to make the most mistakes without properly thinking things through and this book nailed it. At times the pacing dragged a little, but otherwise I ate this book up.
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
December 4, 2025
4 ⭐️ Review
I was lucky enough to listen to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it. It took me back in time to the 90s and honestly the 90s were such a total vibe.
I really loved the honesty in which the author wrote this. Everything that was happening during that time was felt and seen in this book. My favorite part was seeing the two girls figuring out who they were and beginning to be unashamed and completely themselves. Their journey felt so real and so important.
This is such a great book and I need more people to read it so they can see the courage these girls had to be themselves in a time when it was so tough.
I was lucky enough to listen to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it. It took me back in time to the 90s and honestly the 90s were such a total vibe.
I really loved the honesty in which the author wrote this. Everything that was happening during that time was felt and seen in this book. My favorite part was seeing the two girls figuring out who they were and beginning to be unashamed and completely themselves. Their journey felt so real and so important.
This is such a great book and I need more people to read it so they can see the courage these girls had to be themselves in a time when it was so tough.
January 1, 2026
2025 reads: 359/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: drug use, toxic friendship, eating disorder, homophobia
jessa and bird don’t have much in common, but when their best friends start to date, they start to spend a lot of time together, scheming to break them up. the more time they spend together, though, the more things they find in common.
i really liked how this was set in the ’90s, as this is a decade i don’t see represented a lot in books. it was interesting to read about the ways that decade was so different, yet so similar, to our society today. this book had a very interesting premise, and the delivery did not disappoint. without getting too far into spoilers, i thought both girls learned valuable lessons about friendship and love. it was so sweet seeing their romance blossom. i’d recommend this to any YA romance readers.
i received a digital review copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: drug use, toxic friendship, eating disorder, homophobia
jessa and bird don’t have much in common, but when their best friends start to date, they start to spend a lot of time together, scheming to break them up. the more time they spend together, though, the more things they find in common.
i really liked how this was set in the ’90s, as this is a decade i don’t see represented a lot in books. it was interesting to read about the ways that decade was so different, yet so similar, to our society today. this book had a very interesting premise, and the delivery did not disappoint. without getting too far into spoilers, i thought both girls learned valuable lessons about friendship and love. it was so sweet seeing their romance blossom. i’d recommend this to any YA romance readers.
November 18, 2025
Fade Into You is a raw and relatable coming of age novel with a beautiful sapphic romance. Taking place on the cusp of Y2K, we follow two teen girls who are thrust into each other’s orbit after their best friends start dating. As neither approve of the relationship, they concoct a plan to break them up. But the more time they spend together, the less they focus on scheming. Eventually developing a touching bond, but their differences may tear them apart.
This book made me feel so nostalgic. Not for the year 1999 specially, as I was only a few months old, but for all the YA romance I read as a preteen that was written in the early aughts. I still love reading YA contemporary romance (as evidenced by this book), but current releases haven’t really captured what made the genre so special growing up. Fade Into You is the first book to bring back that magic, and it being sapphic makes it all the more special.
Bird and Jessa are such real and complex characters. Over the course of the book we get to see them butt heads, fall in love, and inspire each other to change. Jessa is a grunge music lover who dreams of being a music reviewer one day. She’s incredibly angry at the world, leading her to be a little reckless and to accept any bit of affection thrown her way. Bird is a more straightedge student who wants to be a poet. She tends to play life a little safe, placating rather than rocking the boat. As they begin their romance, Jessa inspires Bird to take up more space in life and be bold. And Bird inspires Jessa to choose kindness and see the beauty in life. Even though they experience a few rough patches, they compliment each other so well and really work as a couple.
A large part of this book outside of the romance is learning to let go of people. Both Jessa and Bird reach a point in their respective friendships where they realize they have to end it. For Jessa, it’s realizing that she and Dade bring out the worst in each other. And for Bird, it’s realizing that sometimes you can’t help people who don’t want help. In life, you will welcome people into your life and say goodbye to others. Not every bond is meant to be forever, and entering into a new stage in life shows you that more than anything.
This book doesn’t shy away from the harsh experiences that many teens face. There are depictions of bullying, homophobia, and violence. Dealing with a friend struggling with an eating disorder, or a family member struggling with a mental illness. We see tumultuous home lives and betrayals. There are discussions about the impact Columbine has had on schools, and the lingering fears around being a student.
I really loved everything about this book. I loved how integral the time period was to the story. How the fears around Y2K, and approaching a new beginning, really mirrored Jessa and Bird’s relationship. I loved how we saw all the good and bad of our characters, and got to see them grow. The messy depictions of family and friendship. The influence of music and poetry. And overall, the hope it leaves you with.
This book made me feel so nostalgic. Not for the year 1999 specially, as I was only a few months old, but for all the YA romance I read as a preteen that was written in the early aughts. I still love reading YA contemporary romance (as evidenced by this book), but current releases haven’t really captured what made the genre so special growing up. Fade Into You is the first book to bring back that magic, and it being sapphic makes it all the more special.
Bird and Jessa are such real and complex characters. Over the course of the book we get to see them butt heads, fall in love, and inspire each other to change. Jessa is a grunge music lover who dreams of being a music reviewer one day. She’s incredibly angry at the world, leading her to be a little reckless and to accept any bit of affection thrown her way. Bird is a more straightedge student who wants to be a poet. She tends to play life a little safe, placating rather than rocking the boat. As they begin their romance, Jessa inspires Bird to take up more space in life and be bold. And Bird inspires Jessa to choose kindness and see the beauty in life. Even though they experience a few rough patches, they compliment each other so well and really work as a couple.
A large part of this book outside of the romance is learning to let go of people. Both Jessa and Bird reach a point in their respective friendships where they realize they have to end it. For Jessa, it’s realizing that she and Dade bring out the worst in each other. And for Bird, it’s realizing that sometimes you can’t help people who don’t want help. In life, you will welcome people into your life and say goodbye to others. Not every bond is meant to be forever, and entering into a new stage in life shows you that more than anything.
This book doesn’t shy away from the harsh experiences that many teens face. There are depictions of bullying, homophobia, and violence. Dealing with a friend struggling with an eating disorder, or a family member struggling with a mental illness. We see tumultuous home lives and betrayals. There are discussions about the impact Columbine has had on schools, and the lingering fears around being a student.
I really loved everything about this book. I loved how integral the time period was to the story. How the fears around Y2K, and approaching a new beginning, really mirrored Jessa and Bird’s relationship. I loved how we saw all the good and bad of our characters, and got to see them grow. The messy depictions of family and friendship. The influence of music and poetry. And overall, the hope it leaves you with.
September 8, 2025
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
I don't think I have ever felt more seen than with this book. Growing up as a queer teenager in the 1990s was a scary and uncertain existence. The AIDS crisis was all over and very falsely understood. Resources were not readily available to understand why you didn't like boys like all your friends did. Computers were still fairly new in terms of research and connection. It was a lonely time.
This book is a love letter to that era and to all those queer Gen X adults who lived through it. The nostalgia and music references bring an atmospheric memory to life. The very real, very honest depiction of self-discovery is raw and beautiful. This book doesn't pull punches with homophobia, mental illness, and the middle-class American need to pretend everything is alright.
Told from alternate perspectives, this book gives a holistic look at how we can change and be changed by the simple but terrifying act of loving without fear. This book is much deeper than the synopsis gives it credit for. It does not shy away from tough topics and how they affect not only those going through them, but those who are trying to support them.
This book is such a beautiful read and will change the lives of those reading it.
I don't think I have ever felt more seen than with this book. Growing up as a queer teenager in the 1990s was a scary and uncertain existence. The AIDS crisis was all over and very falsely understood. Resources were not readily available to understand why you didn't like boys like all your friends did. Computers were still fairly new in terms of research and connection. It was a lonely time.
This book is a love letter to that era and to all those queer Gen X adults who lived through it. The nostalgia and music references bring an atmospheric memory to life. The very real, very honest depiction of self-discovery is raw and beautiful. This book doesn't pull punches with homophobia, mental illness, and the middle-class American need to pretend everything is alright.
Told from alternate perspectives, this book gives a holistic look at how we can change and be changed by the simple but terrifying act of loving without fear. This book is much deeper than the synopsis gives it credit for. It does not shy away from tough topics and how they affect not only those going through them, but those who are trying to support them.
This book is such a beautiful read and will change the lives of those reading it.
January 23, 2026
I don't know if I'm cut out for romance novels you guys. Why does everyone in these books always suck butt?? RELATIONSHIPS DON'T FIX PEOPLE, IF YOU WEREN'T CONTENT SINGLE YOU WON'T BE CONTENT TAKEN, BE YOUR OWN PERSON AND STOP RELLYING ON OTHER PEOPLE TO SOLVE YOUR OWN EMOTIONAL ISSUES, PERSONAL GROWTH STARTS AND ENDS ON YOUR OWN AAAAAA
also the spicy scenes were so mid and straight washed.
other then that, good book!
also the spicy scenes were so mid and straight washed.
other then that, good book!
November 6, 2025
Rating: 5 stars
I’m a 90s baby but I didn’t come of age in the 90s so this book struck a sweet spot between nostalgic and familiar and historical and foreign. l was incredibly compelled by every second.
The writing is grounded, there’s no shying away from the uglier sides of life but the story is also filled with so much hope. I fell in love with Jessa and Bird. They’re the type of teen love that I’m convinced will last forever.
This was refreshing and for whatever intangible reason I just felt really connected to the story.
trigger warnings: homophobia, substance use, and side characters struggling with their mental health (disordered eating and suicidal ideation)
rep: lesbian fmc | bi fmc
Thank you Simon Teen for the arc!
I’m a 90s baby but I didn’t come of age in the 90s so this book struck a sweet spot between nostalgic and familiar and historical and foreign. l was incredibly compelled by every second.
The writing is grounded, there’s no shying away from the uglier sides of life but the story is also filled with so much hope. I fell in love with Jessa and Bird. They’re the type of teen love that I’m convinced will last forever.
This was refreshing and for whatever intangible reason I just felt really connected to the story.
trigger warnings: homophobia, substance use, and side characters struggling with their mental health (disordered eating and suicidal ideation)
rep: lesbian fmc | bi fmc
Thank you Simon Teen for the arc!
December 18, 2025
I was so bored
November 3, 2025
A sapphic YA romance set in 1999? Sign me up! It was so rewarding watching Jessa and Bird go from begrudgingly hanging out with one another to forming a real friendship that blossoms into a romance. The characters were both interesting individually, with complex backstories. And it was interesting seeing how they opened up to one another and supported each other with things they were struggling with.
I loved the 1999 setting for the book, the characters being on the precipice of a big change in their lives while the world is getting ready for Y2K felt perfect. There are plenty of mentions of music, movies, and other things that drive home the 90s time period. But they were always things that were important to the characters and fleshing out their experiences. It never seemed like the authors were using pop culture references without a purpose.
The connection and romance that grew between Jessa and Bird was really special. There are definitely moments within the book where I could see readers getting annoyed at the choices they were making. But I think it makes sense for teenage characters to not always do the right thing.
If you’re looking for a nuanced sapphic YA romance, definitely give this one a shot. It has fun, swoony moments in addition to more serious moments. The book does touch on tough topics like homophobia, bullying, mental health stigma, and more. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the characters.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I loved the 1999 setting for the book, the characters being on the precipice of a big change in their lives while the world is getting ready for Y2K felt perfect. There are plenty of mentions of music, movies, and other things that drive home the 90s time period. But they were always things that were important to the characters and fleshing out their experiences. It never seemed like the authors were using pop culture references without a purpose.
The connection and romance that grew between Jessa and Bird was really special. There are definitely moments within the book where I could see readers getting annoyed at the choices they were making. But I think it makes sense for teenage characters to not always do the right thing.
If you’re looking for a nuanced sapphic YA romance, definitely give this one a shot. It has fun, swoony moments in addition to more serious moments. The book does touch on tough topics like homophobia, bullying, mental health stigma, and more. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the characters.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 24, 2025
Fade Into You is a raw, nostalgic coming-of-age story wrapped in a tender sapphic romance, set on the edge of Y2K and bursting with early-aughts YA magic. Two teenage girls—Bird, a cautious poet, and Jessa, an angry, grunge-loving dreamer are pulled into each other’s orbit when their best friends start dating, and what begins as a plan to break that relationship apart slowly turns into something far deeper. As they clash, connect, and fall in love, they push each other to grow: Jessa teaches Bird to take up space and be brave, while Bird helps Jessa soften and see the beauty she’s been shutting out. Beyond the romance, the story powerfully explores letting go of friendships that hurt more than they heal, of people you can’t save, and of versions of yourself that no longer fit while unflinchingly addressing bullying, homophobia, violence, mental illness, and the weight teens carried in the shadow of Columbine. With music, poetry, messy families, and the looming fear of Y2K mirroring the uncertainty of first love and new beginnings, this book captures both the ache and hope of growing up and left me completely in love with its heart.
December 7, 2025
The circumstances of Bird and Jessa's encounter aren't rosy. They don't like each other, but they're still somewhat condemned to each other because their best friends are getting into a relationship. Despite all this, a beautiful friendship develops, and more.
Both Bird and Jessa struggle during their senior year of high school. Heavy things happen. There's a lot of drama, including homophobia, mental health issues, and challenging home lives. And despite all the drama, this is still a wonderful book with several interesting storylines set against the beautiful backdrop of the late 90s. It's filled with numerous references to memorable music that seems to quietly play in the background as you read.
I especially loved the brave Bird, but later Jessa as well, and I felt for them immensely, through good times and bad.
Both Bird and Jessa struggle during their senior year of high school. Heavy things happen. There's a lot of drama, including homophobia, mental health issues, and challenging home lives. And despite all the drama, this is still a wonderful book with several interesting storylines set against the beautiful backdrop of the late 90s. It's filled with numerous references to memorable music that seems to quietly play in the background as you read.
I especially loved the brave Bird, but later Jessa as well, and I felt for them immensely, through good times and bad.
October 5, 2025
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book felt like reading someone’s diary from the 90s and it was so so nostalgic. I wasn’t even alive at the time but the details provided were so visceral it was reminding me of things i’ve never even experienced. This book had characters that were so deeply flawed and do deeply real all at once. The romance was good but that wasn’t even the best part of the book. The familial relationships and complicated friendship dynamics were so interesting to read about and made the characters feel so well rounded. This book was intended for more younger audiences than the books i usually enjoy but it honestly didn’t bother me.Highly highly recommend this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book felt like reading someone’s diary from the 90s and it was so so nostalgic. I wasn’t even alive at the time but the details provided were so visceral it was reminding me of things i’ve never even experienced. This book had characters that were so deeply flawed and do deeply real all at once. The romance was good but that wasn’t even the best part of the book. The familial relationships and complicated friendship dynamics were so interesting to read about and made the characters feel so well rounded. This book was intended for more younger audiences than the books i usually enjoy but it honestly didn’t bother me.Highly highly recommend this one.
November 4, 2025
4 ⭐️
This made me feel ALL the feels!!! Jessa and Bird felt so real to me and their love for each other is so so so strong. There’s so much to learn from this and take away. Highly recommend for a nostalgic beautiful read !!!! Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the early copy. OUT TODAY!!!!
This made me feel ALL the feels!!! Jessa and Bird felt so real to me and their love for each other is so so so strong. There’s so much to learn from this and take away. Highly recommend for a nostalgic beautiful read !!!! Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the early copy. OUT TODAY!!!!
November 26, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I can confidently say that this is a book everyone needs to read in their lifetime.
The representation of EVERYTHING, from homophobia and how difficult it can be to come out, reflective parents and how mental health is shunned, to self harm and eating disorders, was just so unbelievably well-told. Definitely a heavy book, but it was truly handled with so much care and determination, and I really felt seen reading this book, even if I haven’t personally gone through some of these challenges.
It also talked a lot about love and how much it can change you for the better, and how much it is necessary to have someone you aren’t scared to share your secrets with.
Such a heartwarming story, and I can’t wait to dive in to this author’s backlist 🥲
- this is a femaleXfemale romance, so just be aware in case that makes you uncomfortable or you would prefer not to read it. However, I personally believe that anyone and everyone should read this, regardless of their sexual orientation.
{Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster (and more specifically Simon Teen) for a free copy of this through Goodreads Giveaways! I don’t think I would’ve picked up this book if it weren’t for the free copy and Goodreads bringing it to my attention, and I’m so unbelievably grateful I was able to experience this beautiful story.}
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22m...
I can confidently say that this is a book everyone needs to read in their lifetime.
The representation of EVERYTHING, from homophobia and how difficult it can be to come out, reflective parents and how mental health is shunned, to self harm and eating disorders, was just so unbelievably well-told. Definitely a heavy book, but it was truly handled with so much care and determination, and I really felt seen reading this book, even if I haven’t personally gone through some of these challenges.
It also talked a lot about love and how much it can change you for the better, and how much it is necessary to have someone you aren’t scared to share your secrets with.
Such a heartwarming story, and I can’t wait to dive in to this author’s backlist 🥲
- this is a femaleXfemale romance, so just be aware in case that makes you uncomfortable or you would prefer not to read it. However, I personally believe that anyone and everyone should read this, regardless of their sexual orientation.
{Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster (and more specifically Simon Teen) for a free copy of this through Goodreads Giveaways! I don’t think I would’ve picked up this book if it weren’t for the free copy and Goodreads bringing it to my attention, and I’m so unbelievably grateful I was able to experience this beautiful story.}
Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22m...
November 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This book made me feel so many emotions! While on the surface, yes it is YA romance, it is so much more than that. The story is a love letter to queer youth, to the uncertainty of 1999 and what was to come in the new millennium, to the fear yet hope of being queer and trying to find community and feel secure. While the two main characters, Jessa and Bird, first connect out of a desire to end the new relationship between their best friends, they quickly discovered that the dynamic between them was about far more than ending a dysfunctional high school relationship. Jessa was outed as a lesbian and has been ostracized ever since, while Bird is still figuring out her own sexuality after her experiences at writing camp over the summer.
I loved getting to experience these characters growing into themselves, learning how to love AND to allow love in, in return, and let themselves bask in the beauty of it. Mixed in with the romance and the coming of age aspects, we get throwbacks to old music, movies, Mapquest, dial up internet and pagers, Y2K fears, and the aftermath of the Columbine shooting and present fears related to the AIDS epidemic.
This was a beautifully written book, and I really appreciate Simon Teen gifting me the ARC!
TW: discussion of school shooting (takes place in the months post-columbine shooting), discussion of AIDS epidemic, homophobia
This book made me feel so many emotions! While on the surface, yes it is YA romance, it is so much more than that. The story is a love letter to queer youth, to the uncertainty of 1999 and what was to come in the new millennium, to the fear yet hope of being queer and trying to find community and feel secure. While the two main characters, Jessa and Bird, first connect out of a desire to end the new relationship between their best friends, they quickly discovered that the dynamic between them was about far more than ending a dysfunctional high school relationship. Jessa was outed as a lesbian and has been ostracized ever since, while Bird is still figuring out her own sexuality after her experiences at writing camp over the summer.
I loved getting to experience these characters growing into themselves, learning how to love AND to allow love in, in return, and let themselves bask in the beauty of it. Mixed in with the romance and the coming of age aspects, we get throwbacks to old music, movies, Mapquest, dial up internet and pagers, Y2K fears, and the aftermath of the Columbine shooting and present fears related to the AIDS epidemic.
This was a beautifully written book, and I really appreciate Simon Teen gifting me the ARC!
TW: discussion of school shooting (takes place in the months post-columbine shooting), discussion of AIDS epidemic, homophobia
January 29, 2026
I liked the book. It had a really cute relationship but still covered some pretty serious topics.
“Who wears a fedora to a coffee shop?” Walking red flag and a quintessential “nice” guy. I got a major ick the minute Dade’s choice of clothes was described and his character didn’t disprove it to me. He was a pretty shitty friend.
“ I don’t tell her it’s where I go when people he knows show up and I have to pretend I’m there alone.” I’m really confused why the hell Jessa was trying to save her friendship with Dade. Everything she said about him paints as a POS. With friends like these who need enemies.
“Jesus, Bird, I told you I loved you, and you’re keeping secrets for her? ” Those two things aren’t really related?? I hate to be an asshole but I don’t know why Jessa and Bird’s relationship went to shit because of their best friends’ relationship. That was pretty annoying to me. Her outburst was unwarranted and didn’t really make sense to me.
Bird’s brother Charlie was a standup guy and was so amazing when she came out to him. I really liked that section.
“Because.” I step in close to her and tuck her hair behind her ear, her eyes darting all over. I hold on to the sides of her jacket to pull her close and she’s shaking her head, about to tell me not to, but I do. I kiss her. Out here in the open where anyone can see. “Because,” I repeat. “You don’t get to control everything.” Honestly, what a move by Bird. Insane but really badass.
“Who wears a fedora to a coffee shop?” Walking red flag and a quintessential “nice” guy. I got a major ick the minute Dade’s choice of clothes was described and his character didn’t disprove it to me. He was a pretty shitty friend.
“ I don’t tell her it’s where I go when people he knows show up and I have to pretend I’m there alone.” I’m really confused why the hell Jessa was trying to save her friendship with Dade. Everything she said about him paints as a POS. With friends like these who need enemies.
“Jesus, Bird, I told you I loved you, and you’re keeping secrets for her? ” Those two things aren’t really related?? I hate to be an asshole but I don’t know why Jessa and Bird’s relationship went to shit because of their best friends’ relationship. That was pretty annoying to me. Her outburst was unwarranted and didn’t really make sense to me.
Bird’s brother Charlie was a standup guy and was so amazing when she came out to him. I really liked that section.
“Because.” I step in close to her and tuck her hair behind her ear, her eyes darting all over. I hold on to the sides of her jacket to pull her close and she’s shaking her head, about to tell me not to, but I do. I kiss her. Out here in the open where anyone can see. “Because,” I repeat. “You don’t get to control everything.” Honestly, what a move by Bird. Insane but really badass.
February 27, 2026
This made my queer little ‘90s heart so freaking happy. I can’t express how much I loved this sapphic romance.
Bird and Jessa are high school seniors in 1999, and it gave me aaaaall the nostalgia. Discmans and dial-up and not being glued to a little tiny screen at all times…can someone bring me back??
Their love story was amazing, and even though they’re teenagers, it didn’t give off that cringey YA love vibe that so often happens. I also loved the different sexual orientations with Jessa being a lesbian and Bird being bisexual. I feel like if I had read this book as a teenager, I would’ve figured out my own identity a lot sooner.
Plus, the discussions on mental health back then were extremely eye-opening. I remember when I was in high school (I graduated in 2010), society still didn’t know how to treat people with mental illness. I can’t even imagine how scary and frustrating it would be as a teenager in the ‘90s.
Honestly, this book was healing for me and brought so many emotions to the surface.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!
Bird and Jessa are high school seniors in 1999, and it gave me aaaaall the nostalgia. Discmans and dial-up and not being glued to a little tiny screen at all times…can someone bring me back??
Their love story was amazing, and even though they’re teenagers, it didn’t give off that cringey YA love vibe that so often happens. I also loved the different sexual orientations with Jessa being a lesbian and Bird being bisexual. I feel like if I had read this book as a teenager, I would’ve figured out my own identity a lot sooner.
Plus, the discussions on mental health back then were extremely eye-opening. I remember when I was in high school (I graduated in 2010), society still didn’t know how to treat people with mental illness. I can’t even imagine how scary and frustrating it would be as a teenager in the ‘90s.
Honestly, this book was healing for me and brought so many emotions to the surface.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for my gifted copy!
November 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, it really made me feel all types of emotions. Most of my emotions were honestly emphatic with what the characters were going through! I also reallly enjoyed that ending. I honestly almost started crying. BUT, guysss, you did us dirty not including a little bit in the end to really give closure for part of the main storyline!
February 28, 2026
the first half was pretty decent, i was loving their dynamic and bird as a character was interesting but the other half lost me completely. teenage unnecessary drama, a lot of things happening at the same time - it just didn't work for me. the writing felt weird to me and overall the main relationship just felt idk rushed? i was bored.
December 1, 2025
Enemies-to-lovers story at the end of 1999, dealing with homophobia, mental health issues, and the possible end of the world. This was so cute!! And so crazy cool to recognize the time period I was born into and then watched change. I need to read more early 2000s fiction now!
April 3, 2026
I loved this one!! It really felt like being in the 90’s and growing up during that time and it dealt with so many different real topics and issues without feeling overwhelming. The love story was great and I loved all the depth surrounding it. Really good read!!
November 22, 2025
this is a MASTERPIECE
done with no flaws which is so rare I am obsessed
done with no flaws which is so rare I am obsessed
May 10, 2026
3.5⭐️
October 16, 2025
A deeply emotional read that touches on topics such as mental health, eating disorders, LGBTQ+ representation and the stigmas that surround them. Set in the 90s with a lot of scenes featuring substance abuse this story is not to be taken lightly. Please check your triggers prior to picking this one up.
In this story you follow two teenage girls who are brought together because their mutual friends have started dating. Birdie and Jessa team up in a scheme to break them up. This leads to a lot of plotting and character moments that feel very nostalgic if you grew up in this era. Both girls have family dynamics that give a lot of weight to their characters and both girls feel very authentic and have definitive voices throughout the story.
I will say there are a lot of moments I enjoyed throughout the book and I loved the level of care the authors take to discuss hard topics and what life was like just a short time ago. I think people like to romanticize the 90's and yes there are good things but there was also a lot of hate/judgement and this book does a good job showcasing that.
The reason for a 3 star rating is due to the pacing within this story. I feel like SO much was covered and while the middle felt slow and building the ending was a rush to tie up loose ends and as the reader I felt a bit unsatisfied with some of the plot lines because there were so many.
Overall this was a quick read that would resonate with older adults that want a nostalgic read that would maybe heal some wounds from their childhood. I'm not entirely certain that younger readers would understand/appreciate the storyline as much as I did. This put me back into the headspace of my teenage years but I don't know how accurate that would feel to teenagers now.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for this ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own.
In this story you follow two teenage girls who are brought together because their mutual friends have started dating. Birdie and Jessa team up in a scheme to break them up. This leads to a lot of plotting and character moments that feel very nostalgic if you grew up in this era. Both girls have family dynamics that give a lot of weight to their characters and both girls feel very authentic and have definitive voices throughout the story.
I will say there are a lot of moments I enjoyed throughout the book and I loved the level of care the authors take to discuss hard topics and what life was like just a short time ago. I think people like to romanticize the 90's and yes there are good things but there was also a lot of hate/judgement and this book does a good job showcasing that.
The reason for a 3 star rating is due to the pacing within this story. I feel like SO much was covered and while the middle felt slow and building the ending was a rush to tie up loose ends and as the reader I felt a bit unsatisfied with some of the plot lines because there were so many.
Overall this was a quick read that would resonate with older adults that want a nostalgic read that would maybe heal some wounds from their childhood. I'm not entirely certain that younger readers would understand/appreciate the storyline as much as I did. This put me back into the headspace of my teenage years but I don't know how accurate that would feel to teenagers now.
Thank you Simon and Schuster for this ARC all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 13, 2026
A good look at what the young queer community had to endure in the 90s. It was great, and heartbreaking at times.
February 24, 2026
4.5⭐ 1.5🌶️(YA, no graphic depictions)
This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking story and I absolutely devoured it. It was dark, tragic, and at times difficult to stomach, but also moving, important, and hopeful. Please be sure to review the content warnings before diving in because there are some very difficult and intentionally problematic moments (think 90s stigma regarding the LGBTQ+ community and mental health treatment in general). I was so drawn in by the characters and their descriptions, difficulties, and the little details that just made it feel so real. Throw in some 90s nostalgia and I’m beyond sold.
Jessa and Birdie were such the perfect pair–polar opposites in so many ways but deep down, so similar and just looking for somewhere to fit in, be accepted, and known. Brought together by a mutual disgust for their friends’ relationship and the shared goal of breaking them apart, I absolutely adored watching them go from partners in crime to real friends to something more. This was such a tender exploration of first love and how complicating factors (stigma, outside acceptance, mental health) can have a lasting impact on how our concept of this develops.
This was my first time reading both Sam Gellar and Amber Smith but I hope it isn’t my last. I loved the writing style and this duo absolutely needs to tell more stories together. I’ll be grabbing every last one.
This was such a beautiful and heartbreaking story and I absolutely devoured it. It was dark, tragic, and at times difficult to stomach, but also moving, important, and hopeful. Please be sure to review the content warnings before diving in because there are some very difficult and intentionally problematic moments (think 90s stigma regarding the LGBTQ+ community and mental health treatment in general). I was so drawn in by the characters and their descriptions, difficulties, and the little details that just made it feel so real. Throw in some 90s nostalgia and I’m beyond sold.
Jessa and Birdie were such the perfect pair–polar opposites in so many ways but deep down, so similar and just looking for somewhere to fit in, be accepted, and known. Brought together by a mutual disgust for their friends’ relationship and the shared goal of breaking them apart, I absolutely adored watching them go from partners in crime to real friends to something more. This was such a tender exploration of first love and how complicating factors (stigma, outside acceptance, mental health) can have a lasting impact on how our concept of this develops.
This was my first time reading both Sam Gellar and Amber Smith but I hope it isn’t my last. I loved the writing style and this duo absolutely needs to tell more stories together. I’ll be grabbing every last one.
April 19, 2026
I really wanted to like "Fade Into You," but it was so unbearably long and poorly written that it took me a few weeks to get through this one. Since I'm a 1999 baby, I have no nostalgia (or memory) of the 90s, and I felt that this novel heavily relied on 90s nostalgia to guide it, with references planted on nearly every page. Perhaps this novel speaks more to a queer individual who experienced the 90s, but for someone like myself, it felt less like an introspection into queer culture at the time and more like an insanely messy coming-of-age muddled by too many plot points. I assumed the novel was largely going to focus on Jessa and Bird's relationship and their relationship with their friends who they're trying to break up. As Jessa and Bird become more romantically involved, obviously their interest in breaking up their friends fades, but I wasn't expecting them to BOTH end friendships with their respective best friends! While I can buy Kayla being homophobic, Dade's behavior came out of left field, and I was left wondering why half the novel focused on these friendships if they weren't even going to be relevant by the novel's end. In addition to their messy friendship antics, Bird is dealing with a sexuality crisis, Jessa is struggling with internalized homophobia, and BOTH have unstable family situations, with Bird struggling being in a mixed family and trying to get in contact with her biological father and Jessa trying to convince her parents to get professional help for her bipolar sister. Quite frankly, it was too much to handle for one novel and felt wildly melodramatic at times. When the final twist reveals that Bird's father is gay and has AIDS, my immediate response was to laugh at the absurdity of it, especially with how late in the novel this was revealed. I also can't understand how a novel written by two authors suffers from Jessa and Bird having the same internal monologue. Half the time, I couldn't remember whose chapter it was!
Unfortunately, "Fade Into You" wasn't for me. I think if you're a current teenager struggling with your sexuality or a queer individual who lived through the 90s, this might be your cup of tea, but if you're a 27-year-old lesbian like myself who didn't live through the 90s and isn't in high school anymore, there's much better queer fiction out there to be read.
Unfortunately, "Fade Into You" wasn't for me. I think if you're a current teenager struggling with your sexuality or a queer individual who lived through the 90s, this might be your cup of tea, but if you're a 27-year-old lesbian like myself who didn't live through the 90s and isn't in high school anymore, there's much better queer fiction out there to be read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
Another genre departure for me, this time into sapphic YA. As a fan of Sam Gellar's work since the 2020 revival of her award-winning "Life Versus the Paperback Romance", and a big fan of NYT bestselling author Amber Smith's consistent YA LGBTQIA+ representation, I've been looking forward to this book since it was announced.
It’s difficult to weave 90s nostalgia with the acknowledgement that it wasn’t an innocent time for queer people, but this book deftly creates a love story despite the odds. The characters felt genuine, and I could easily see how this book is a love letter to the present while acknowledging the past. Between the music venue descriptions and musicians mentioned, it felt at times as though I was walking through a time capsule--albeit through a lens of current social norms.
The authors make sure to explain the societal differences in the 1999 setting, most notably the closeting of any queer relationships. (Eg. Though not mentioned in the book, in 1996 Laura “Lollie” Winans and Julianne “Julie” Williams were first reported as friends; when their relationship became known, their murders were ruled a hate crime.) This book also is set just after the 1999 Columbine massacre, but before such school shootings became commonplace; the 90s were a different world.
As per Smith's usual standard, this is not a light read. But adding in Gellar's voice and perspective, this novel is a celebration of love and progress. An excellent debut novel for Gellar, and based on Smith's oeuvre I expect this to become another NYT bestseller.
"Fade into You" by Amber Smith & Sam Gellar releases on November 4th, 2025.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Effusive thanks to @NetGalley and @SimonTeen for sending this book for review consideration.
All opinions are my own.
(In the interest of full disclosure, while I requested this ARC without informing the authors, I am named in the acknowledgements--which I only found out while reading said acknowledgements.)
It’s difficult to weave 90s nostalgia with the acknowledgement that it wasn’t an innocent time for queer people, but this book deftly creates a love story despite the odds. The characters felt genuine, and I could easily see how this book is a love letter to the present while acknowledging the past. Between the music venue descriptions and musicians mentioned, it felt at times as though I was walking through a time capsule--albeit through a lens of current social norms.
The authors make sure to explain the societal differences in the 1999 setting, most notably the closeting of any queer relationships. (Eg. Though not mentioned in the book, in 1996 Laura “Lollie” Winans and Julianne “Julie” Williams were first reported as friends; when their relationship became known, their murders were ruled a hate crime.) This book also is set just after the 1999 Columbine massacre, but before such school shootings became commonplace; the 90s were a different world.
As per Smith's usual standard, this is not a light read. But adding in Gellar's voice and perspective, this novel is a celebration of love and progress. An excellent debut novel for Gellar, and based on Smith's oeuvre I expect this to become another NYT bestseller.
"Fade into You" by Amber Smith & Sam Gellar releases on November 4th, 2025.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Effusive thanks to @NetGalley and @SimonTeen for sending this book for review consideration.
All opinions are my own.
(In the interest of full disclosure, while I requested this ARC without informing the authors, I am named in the acknowledgements--which I only found out while reading said acknowledgements.)
February 10, 2026
Fade Into You is a deeply emotional, quietly powerful story that fully understands what it meant to be young and queer in 1999. The setting isn’t just aesthetic—it’s integral. Amber Smith and Sam Gellar thoughtfully weave real-world events like Columbine and the ongoing shadow of AIDS into the background, grounding the story in a time defined by fear, grief, and uncertainty. Those moments add weight and realism, reminding us how heavy the world felt then, especially for LGBTQ youth trying to figure out who they were in a society that often treated them as disposable or dangerous.
What makes this book hit so hard is how personal those broader fears become. Watching these two girls navigate their hopes, dreams, and growing love—while experiencing open hate for something as simple as holding hands in public—is heartbreaking and painfully real. That quiet cruelty, the stares, the comments, the threat just beneath the surface, is handled with honesty and care. And what’s most striking is how much of that experience still resonates today. The fears and longing they carry in 1999 are ones many LGBTQ people continue to live with now, making this story feel both nostalgic and painfully current.
This book left me emotional, reflective, and aching in the best way. Five stars, no hesitation. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to some Tori Amos, Céline Dion, and every late-90s female artist who soundtracked that era and this beautiful, unforgettable story.
What makes this book hit so hard is how personal those broader fears become. Watching these two girls navigate their hopes, dreams, and growing love—while experiencing open hate for something as simple as holding hands in public—is heartbreaking and painfully real. That quiet cruelty, the stares, the comments, the threat just beneath the surface, is handled with honesty and care. And what’s most striking is how much of that experience still resonates today. The fears and longing they carry in 1999 are ones many LGBTQ people continue to live with now, making this story feel both nostalgic and painfully current.
This book left me emotional, reflective, and aching in the best way. Five stars, no hesitation. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to some Tori Amos, Céline Dion, and every late-90s female artist who soundtracked that era and this beautiful, unforgettable story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
3.75 stars
YA high school love story
90’s setting
Queer relationship
Mental health (anorexia, self-harm, manic depression - not main characters)
Coming out
When Jessa and Bird team up to end their best friends’ toxic relationship, they find an unexpected connection to each other. This is also an ode to 90’s music and music culture set against the background of homophobia and school shootings.
This novel contained a lot of plot but handled it all deftly. It’s always awkward to realize that a time period that I was alive for is now part of history but i view it now with decades of understanding. I remember when the Columbine shooting happened and I remember the AiDS epidemic, but I don’t remember the fear that was pervasive at the time.
I really enjoyed Bird as a character. She’s just figuring out who she is and she’s a rule follower. She believes in her right to be herself Jessa is less accessible to me - she’s grittier and angrier, constantly looking to escape. But seeing her home life made her such an empathetic main character.
I loved that the authors wrote this as an ode to their own love story and this is one of the best co-written books I’ve experienced. The pacing and voice are consistent throughout.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
YA high school love story
90’s setting
Queer relationship
Mental health (anorexia, self-harm, manic depression - not main characters)
Coming out
When Jessa and Bird team up to end their best friends’ toxic relationship, they find an unexpected connection to each other. This is also an ode to 90’s music and music culture set against the background of homophobia and school shootings.
This novel contained a lot of plot but handled it all deftly. It’s always awkward to realize that a time period that I was alive for is now part of history but i view it now with decades of understanding. I remember when the Columbine shooting happened and I remember the AiDS epidemic, but I don’t remember the fear that was pervasive at the time.
I really enjoyed Bird as a character. She’s just figuring out who she is and she’s a rule follower. She believes in her right to be herself Jessa is less accessible to me - she’s grittier and angrier, constantly looking to escape. But seeing her home life made her such an empathetic main character.
I loved that the authors wrote this as an ode to their own love story and this is one of the best co-written books I’ve experienced. The pacing and voice are consistent throughout.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
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