Smash or Pass

by Birdie Schae

For 16-year-old Ellie, beach volleyball camp is a disaster until she's paired with Sierra, an athletic prodigy who teaches her that volleyball...and love are about taking the right shot in this sporty sapphic romance.

Ellie dates the Right Guy, says all the Right Things, and acts the Right Way to avoid being ridiculed for her autism. When that Right Guy unceremoniously dumps her right before they're supposed to go to beach volleyball camp together, Ellie's perfectly curated world comes crashing down and she's labeled the boring, weird girl.

Desperate to regain her good reputation (and yeah, sure, the boy...), Ellie goes to Camp SMASH, which is nothing like she expected. There, she's paired with Sierra, a mysterious, standoffish volleyball legacy who makes Ellie's quest to get her boyfriend back even more complicated...

Dive into this sporty summer romance full of the classics: a ragtag group of friends, a tense game of capture the flag, and a swoon-worthy sapphic love story.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, Young Adult, Queer, LGBT, Sports, Contemporary

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication May 12, 2026

About the author

Birdie Schae had big dreams from the moment she was born in a small town in Belgium. Now an author and student in the Netherlands, she spends most of her time writing love stories, analyzing all sorts of fiction through tears, or listening to a truly concerning amount of music.

Smash or Pass is her debut novel.

You can find Birdie online as @birdienotabird or at birdieschae.com.

Reviews

[Birdie Schae · Rating 5 out of 5]

dare i say... smash?!

[alaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

autistic sapphics we BALL!!!!!!

[Celine Ong]

hit smash so hard i broke my phone

[Sam’s Sapphic Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

“Nobody has the right to make you feel like you have to become smaller. You have as much right to take up space as everyone else.”

What an incredible read! I am truly so surprised with how much I liked this book. I knew going in it was going to be a YA, a genre I tend to not read, but I am so thankful I picked this up. This is one of my top coming-of-age books!

Ellie is an autistic girl who just got broken up with before going to a summer camp with the same boy who ended things with her. Her plan? Winning him back and proving to everyone she’s not the boring girl that her ex-boyfriend talked about in front of a crowd.

The kicker? She enjoys spending more time with her teammate than trying to get back with her ex. Within two weeks, Ellie has come to learn who she truly is and wants to be, not the mold that others want her in.

Finding your people, the ones who love you for who you are and not what they want you to be, is one of the most fulfilling feelings there are. This book gave me so many warm, fuzzy feelings, and the representation for autism was incredibly done. We’re all just people at the end of the day trying to fit in, but why should we when we should just be ourselves and everything else follows?

I loved all of the characters, I loved their little group, I love the message that this book gave. Be yourself, and who cares what anyone else thinks?

I read this book within 24 hours and two sittings, it never felt boring and it had me sucked in the whole time.

So this one time at volleyball camp… Ellie fell in love.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. Ellie is an autistic high school student who attends a volleyball summer camp, where she learns not only more about the sport but also how to love herself and embrace who she truly is instead of trying to conform. There was a lot of LGBTQ+ representation, which was really nice to see, and the side characters were just as engaging as the main storyline. Overall, this was a cute and very enjoyable read.

Thanks NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for this arc. All opinions are my own.

[Kayleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

LETS GO VOLLEYBALL LESBIANS

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

Smash or Pass is a fun summer romance at a beach volleyball camp, all about learning to be yourself and finding the people who will uplift that real version of you.

I really loved seeing Ellie’s journey toward embracing her true self and allowing herself to grow closer to others. Her relationship with her autism diagnosis and finding a group of people who don’t expect her to mask her real personality. Her blooming friendship, and eventual romantic relationship, with Sierra was very sweet and exactly what she needed. I think her brief hesitations over choosing to be out with Sierra versus going back to her old life was a very realistic fear and added a lot of depth to her character. I also thought Ellie and Noah’s sibling relationship was really sweet.

I do wish Sierra was a little more fleshed out. It felt more like we were told outright about her life and her tendency to close herself off in the narration, rather than it being a natural thing revealed through action and conversation. I do wish we got MORE volleyball considering we are at a volleyball summer camp! We blew through the final competition with only a few sentences of description. I wanted to see more of how Ellie and Sierra worked as teammates.

I really liked the chaotic friend group Ellie and Sierra fall into, but it felt like the side characters sometimes took up space that could have been used to delve deeper into Sierra’s character. Also the over use of “Gen Z” slang made some of the banter feel inorganic. Like why are we unironically telling someone they’re “a man written by a woman?”

Overall a super quick and cute coming-of age-romance that will be perfect for summer!

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf Books for the ARC

[Sydney Langford]

Full of heart and fun-in-the-sun, Smash or Pass serves up a diverse coming-of-age story about friendship, self-discovery, and first love—on and off the court.

[Madyson Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

This was a cute LGBTQ YA romance, with summer camp, beach vibes. Ellie is attending SMASH a beach volleyball summer camp after her being broke up with by her ex-boyfriend Daniel. She is paired with Sierra, the camp owners daughter who is lesbian. With Ellie being autistic it is hard for her to be herself so she asks Sierra to help her be comfortable in her own skin.

I really enjoyed this, Sierra was a good friend to Ellie and vise versa. This book has a lot of LGBTQ rep in all the side characters as well as the main characters which i also enjoyed. Ellie learning to be herself with good friends by her side was fun to navigate.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[alice ✧.* · Rating 4 out of 5]

And the verdict is… SMASH! 4.25 ⭐

SMASH OR PASS is such a sweet, sapphic YA romance about an autistic girl learning how to live for herself, finding people who truly support her, and maybe even falling for a girl for the first time at a beach volleyball camp.

I really loved Ellie as a main character. Watching her grow throughout the story was incredibly rewarding. After being badly bullied in middle school, she created so many rules for herself to avoid being judged for her autistic traits—but that also meant she’s been holding herself back for years. Seeing her slowly let go of that and start embracing who she is felt so healing, and honestly very relatable.

This book was such a comforting read. It’s light, sweet, and easy to get through—I genuinely would’ve read it in one sitting if I had the time. There’s something so breezy and warm about it that just pulls you in.

I adored the characters, especially the dynamics within the friend group. It really captured that summer camp feeling where you get to reinvent yourself a little and find your people. The relationships felt genuine and supportive, even when the characters disagreed or challenged each other.

I also appreciated how realistically the book explores the pressure to fit in during high school, especially through Ellie’s perspective as an autistic girl. The need to belong, to be accepted, and to not stand out in the “wrong” ways was portrayed in such an honest and thoughtful way.

At times the writing felt a little simple, and I feel like this is on the younger end of the YA range, as the book felt a little junior and not so much 18-year-old (which it wasn’t meant to be), but I still loved it. I love reading younger books, they're so light and sweet. It reads a little more middle-grade/junior, but it’s not a bad thing. Just keep that in mind if you’re looking for an older YA, I wouldn’t recommend this necessarily.
Overall, this was a really lovely and healing read that I absolutely adored.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Jaime Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smash or Pass feels like finding the people who finally see you exactly as you are and love you harder because of it. The friendships in this story are so genuine. Everyone feels so real, supportive, chaotic, and wonderfully accepting of each other in a way that made my chest ache a little.

The autism representation felt incredibly authentic and handled with so much care. Watching Ellie learn to stop shrinking herself for other people and instead embrace who she truly is was so comforting. There’s such a strong message throughout the story about belonging, self-acceptance, and realizing you never have to change yourself to deserve love and connection.

The connection between Sierra and Ellie was absolutely precious. Their friendship felt so natural from the beginning, even though both thought they were complete opposites from each other. The awkward pining, the flustered thoughts, the soft little moments that somehow feel like huge leaps. Ugh my little heart! Every interaction had me rooting for them harder.

This book is warm, funny, heartfelt, queer in the best way, and full of characters that feel like people you’d want in your own corner for life.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

Favorite Quotes:
“Even with all my current moodiness, there’s something satisfying about being the reason she almost smiles. Like finally checking off the hardest item on my weekly to-do list.”

“I can’t imagine a life in which my heart doesn’t tug me toward them. After all these years of longing for it, I think I finally know what belonging somewhere feels like. It’s knowing that even when things aren’t perfect, everything has fallen into the right place.”

“Nobody has the right to make you feel like you have to become smaller. You have as much right to take up space as everyone else.”

“God, I really did lose my ability to think straight, didn't I?”

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one almost completely blind—just vibes, a cover, and a “why not?” click on NetGalley… and WOW, did that gamble pay off. 🎯

I am thankful to have received a complimentary eARC from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley and a complimentary ALC from Paragraph Audio via their influencer program, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

This one truly took me by surprise in the best way. What I wasn’t expecting, but absolutely loved, was the incredible autistic and queer representation woven so thoughtfully into the story.

I started this as an immersion read, with the eARC and audiobook… but around the 30% mark, I fully abandoned the eARC until the final stretch because the narration by Elena Ray completely swept me away. She brought such emotional depth to every character that I didn’t want to pull myself out of the listening experience. Whether at 1x or 2x speed, the delivery was seamless and engaging.

One of the standout elements for me was the FMC’s journey of self-exploration. Watching her navigate both her sexual identity and her place in the world as someone newly diagnosed with autism was deeply moving. At times, it was genuinely heartbreaking to see her inner struggles and the lengths she went to just to feel like she belonged.

The sapphic romance was handled beautifully. It stayed completely age-appropriate—no spice, just a soft, meaningful connection that grew naturally over the summer. I especially appreciated that it focused on friendship first, letting the relationship evolve in a way that felt authentic and earned.

The secondary characters were given real depth as well, adding layers of representation and inclusion without ever feeling forced or performative.

If you’re looking for a camp-set story that balances heart, identity, and representation with an engaging and emotional narrative, I highly recommend picking this one up.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital advanced copy from Penguin Teen Canada & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A cute YA sapphic romance that focuses a lot on self-acceptance!

Ellie is an autistic teenager who seems like a perfect, popular student. Only she’s faking almost everything about her personality to be accepted. When her boyfriend breaks up with her and embarrasses her in front of the entire school, she decides what she’s been doing hasn’t been working. This causes her to go to summer Volleyball camp with her brother where she vows to begin acting like herself again.

Watching Ellie become herself again and develop meaningful relationships with the people at camp was great to see. I think this would be a great read for teenagers who aren’t too sure about themselves as it touches on many common teenage insecurities.

[Anvita (anvitascorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ love love loved the autism and the queer rep!!! i literally could not stop thinking about this book and so had to prioritize it over assignments and binge read like 70% of it today 🫣 read more on the MG side than YA!

[Cadence Boudreaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

i’m definitely an outcast with my opinion on this book! it’s very cute but i think it’s a little too young for me . For being a YA book i think it reads almost middle-grade, which is not a bad thing it’s just not for me . I just read a different YA that i gave five stars so it really comes down to what the YA author works in and how the story is developed.

Aside from that i really enjoyed their relationship and the story , it was very straightforward and cute ! I like that we saw her heal from the awful breakup, which would’ve traumatized me a lot more than it did her .

I don’t have so much to say other than it was cute !

[Valentina Veltkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot wait to read this book!! Everything I have seen so far looks so amazing😋

[caspian]

remind me when it comes out pls!!

[Laura (crofteereader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+ stars

Overall, enjoyable! I really liked the very realistic take on the pressures of high school and fitting in and the compulsive need to belong - especially when you add autism to the mix. I liked how the characters challenged their impressions and their reputations, how they found and made space for each other despite disagreeing and being very different. I think we could have let more of the side characters shine, though. Especially in the context of the sport they’re playing!

Speaking of… I’m not at all convinced that the author knows anything about beach volleyball. We never learn the rules, we barely have any actual on-page game time, the only relevance that beach volleyball has to the whole plot is the presence of sand to give MC Ellie a sensory ick - otherwise literally any sport would work. There was so little time spent on the actual game or anything specific to it (sand rash??) that I forgot they were at a sport camp and not just a generic summer camp. It was like the whole concept was built around the cutesy title without the bones to back it up…

But the central relationship was great. Wholesome but not without a hefty dose of reality as Ellie and Sierra got comfortable with each other and also had to deal with other things in their lives that could weigh them down. I definitely feel like Sierra’s resolutions happened mostly off-page or in a “telling” sort of way (as opposed to showing) but it was Ellie’s story at the end of it all.

{Thank you Get Underlined for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}

[Kloe Schudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review of Smash or Pass by: Birdie Schae

Format Read: Digital Netgalley ARC
Pub date: May 12, 2026
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 256
Recommended for readers who enjoy: Kelly Quindlen,
Notable Tropes: Summer Camp, Found Family, Volleyball Player x Romance Reader, WLW, and more!
Minor complaints:
- Honestly not many! This book was amazing and I’m so grateful to have been able to read it early!
Favorite Aspects:
- Amazing representation of not only queer love and joy, but also neurodivergence - specifically in teen girls. I loved Ellie as a character and seeing all of her friends support and give her the love she deserves made my heart so happy.
- “She calls it masking and says it's common for autistic people like me to do, but she also says it's not our job to constantly change ourselves to please other people. And she's right. Of course she is. I wouldn't judge someone for being like me, but still. I don't know. If masking is what it takes to be treated like a human being, then I guess it's worth it for me.”
- The characters in this book were all so unique in their identities, but found community and comfort amongst each other. I love a good found family trope, and the summer camp vibe just made it even more fun!
- This was also a decently short read, but the plot didn’t feel rushed at any time!

Final recommendation: In terms of star ratings, this book gets a 6/5🌟’s from me! I loved the characters and their individual developments, as well as how they interacted with the setting of the story.

Thank you Netgalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers, for this lovely read in exchange for my honest review!💛

[fanboyriot · Rating 5 out of 5]

After being broken up with Ellie decided she didn’t want to be seen as the boring person her ex thought she was. She agreed to go to summer camp with her twin brother. Ellie learns how to not care what people think along the way and even make some friends while she’s there too.

Loved the queer and autistic representation in this book. The main character was written so well and I loved seeing the development with her. And of course, I really love the summer camp setting. The friendships made along Ellie’s time there was so wholesome.

(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)

POV: First Person
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Ellie
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🏕️🏐🏳️‍🌈

⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol

[Brooke! · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh this is for sure about to be one of THE books of 2026!!! this coming of age story and romance is one of the best i have read!! Eleanore and Sierra you inspire me!!!! The mix of humor and emotions in this book is truly incredible and is written so well. Make sure to read this when it comes out, this is a can’t miss read!

[Kennedy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and beautiful read!! Ellie and Sierra’s journey to romance was SO cute and thoughtful, and honestly really nostalgic for a former volleyball fangirl. I’m super in love with the cast and characters, and am impressed with how much depth was implemented into this story. I HIGHLY recommend this book!! And am so proud of this author!! Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an early copy :)

[baz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley
🏐☀️💋

Absolutely adorable, oh my gosh!! Wanted to save this to read out on the porch when the sun was out but I finally caved and read it. SO. GOOD.

Amazing queer representation of many different kinda, and autism representation of course- written so well, too. I really felt myself reading about how Ellie feels.

Such a cute slowburn, and the issue is fixed easily- one of my favorite things in romances, I get so sad when the drama is super dragged out. But not this!! It’s so sweet. Andd, it also made me really want to play volleyball… even though I suck at it.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read Smash or Pass in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sums up the book better than I ever could because I, too, felt like younger me also learned how to love and accept myself reading this. The people and the camp felt like the safe space my younger self needed.

"Because during those tw0 weeks at camp, you didn't only teach me how to love and accept myself. Somewhere along the way,I learned to fall in love, too. And I did. With you."

5/5 stars. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!!

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGally, Knopf Books FYR, and Birdie Schae for the chance to read and review an eARC of SMASH OR PASS.

I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours!! It was ✨THAT✨ addicting.

From the incredibly voicey writing style, to the dynamic characters, to the wonderful themes of self-discovery and self-acceptance, SMASH OR PASS is a captivating story from beginning to end. As an ex-volleyball player, I was already hooked from the premise, and this coming-of-age LGBTQA+ romance ACED in its delivery. Ellie is such a relatable autistic high schooler masking her genuine self to fit in. Until a nasty break up forces her to join her twin brother at a beach volleyball summer camp. There, Ellie discovers acceptance, true friendship, and a sporty sapphic romance that had readers jumping for joy at every awkward hand brush and heartfelt conversation. Ellie’s open discussions on her autism and masking had me texting my friends at 2am begging them to pre-order the book. SMASH OR PASS is such a beautiful exploration of queer and autistic teens that will make them feel seen and heard in the most vulnerable and gorgeous of ways.

I greatly enjoyed this book! SMASH OR PASS lived up to the hype I’ve had for this book since its days in the query trenches, and it’s a phenomenal debut for Birdie Schae! I can’t wait to become a long-time fan of Birdie and her future works! If you’re looking for a perfect beachy summer read, add SMASH OR PASS to your TBR list. You won’t be disappointed.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smash or Pass is a fantastic sapphic romance.

I really loved this book and the autistic representation. I think this is a relatable read for a lot of us who feel like we can't be ourselves and have to try and fit in especially in high school. I think the author did a great job with the story and the character growth. I think this would be a great read for teen and up. If you enjoy sweet romance, ASD rep, and relatable reads then I would recommend adding this book to your TBR!

I would like to thank Net Galley for the e-ARC. This is my opinion of the book, and mine alone!

[rachel x]

"A sapphic YA romance following 16-year-old Ellie, an autistic people-pleaser whose plan to reinvent herself at beach volleyball summer camp takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself falling for her grumpy teammate."

[Merle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a tender, kind, and hopeful sapphic coming-of-age story about a girl who learns that she is enough, that it's okay to be herself, and that she does deserve love and friends. It's one part found family, and one part soft romance. It's one of the best books I think I've ever read. I found myself stopping work to read instead. My coworkers surely wondered why I was crying at my desk.

Ellie is autistic, and for much of her life, she has been bullied for it. She often has a hard time picking up subtle social cues, and she struggles when people say things in layers. In high school, to prevent more, worse bullying, she hides. She hides her real thoughts, her real feelings, her real struggles -- and instead she's constantly overthinking, and does whatever she's observed as the most "normal" thing to do. She even dates a boy because that is what she believes is the most societally normal thing to do.

It isn't until her twin brother Noah, the human incarnation of a golden retriever, invites her to summer camp with him that Ellie begins to let go, and lets herself be... herself... again. She meets a group of friends who pick her up, and begin to show her unconditional love, even and especially when she does struggle with the same things that got her bullied before.

The friend group that Ellie meets at camp are the epitome of found family. They are warm and supportive and very funny. They welcome Ellie and make her safe, and they make her feel like she is actually worth having friends. They describe themselves as sort of like the Breakfast Club, but they're much, much better.

Ellie also meets Sierra.

Sierra actually goes to Ellie's school, but they've never really talked before. Sierra is a volleyball prodigy, and is deadly focused on being the best of the best. However, she is also deadly serious about supporting her team mates, the newest of whom happens to be Ellie. Sierra is an absolute ride-or-die.

She is very patient and caring, and gives Ellie all the time in the world to not only learn how to play volleyball, but also learn how to be herself again. In exchange, Ellie helps Sierra, too. But there lays spoiler territory.

Ellie is a superb character. She spends a lot of time in her head, and worries what others think about her. Ellie is entirely fascinating. She is both playful and introspective, both very funny and very serious. Her POV was so, so interesting. Sierra is, at first, that endlessly cool and beautiful girl. But then you discover just how layered her character is. Yes, she's a great athlete, but she is actually so much more, and on her list of the most important things in her life, I'm not sure if "great athlete" is actually even in Sierra's top 5.

Reading Ellie's and Sierra's interactions was wonderful. They fit together so well, and they had a ton of really great chemistry. We're talking full on, kicking my feet and giggling reading their scenes together. I love Ellie and Sierra together. They were very, very easy to root for.

SMASH or Pass is a deeply emotional book. I cried many times. If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be that it's kind. It is a kind book. It's a caring and emotionally cathartic book. It is a book about friends being friends, and just showing kindness to each other. It's about support, and about letting the people you love know that you love them. It's really something smashingly wonderful.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[kay.grace424 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Adorbs! This was so sweet, heartfelt, genuine, and lovely.

I loved Ellie as a character. Her journey in this book and the struggles she faces are relatable to so many people, especially teens, in ways that span neurodivergence. Whether the reader has autism in common with the main character or not, there is some aspect of her struggle that you can relate to. And this result doesn’t come at the cost of sacrificing her autism-related struggles either. Her autistic characteristics aren’t glossed over in a way that feels like minimizing in favor of making her more relatable to a neurotypical audience. She’s a really well-written and well-rounded character, and a fantastic protagonist to root for.

I loved the representation in this book! First of all, we love an autistic main character who is actually labeled as autistic. The amount of books I’ve read that have “autism coded” MCs (see ‘Not in love’ by Ali Hazelwood) without actually labeling them is a bit wild to me, and doesn’t reflect well-rounded representation in my opinion. Obviously, a person is more than a label, but readers with autism deserve to read about someone struggling with being autistic and not just about MCs that are lightly dusted with autistic traits that the audience is supposed to draw their own conclusions about. I will say, I am not a person with autism, so I cannot speak to the accuracy of the representation, nor can I really speak on whether or not this issue is something that bothers the community. This was just something I have noticed in my reading.

Continuing on the representation celebration, we love a diverse group of friends! I really loved the inclusion of people from many different backgrounds and identities in the Community. I especially LOVED that one of the characters who uses he/they pronouns was actually referred to as they. As someone who uses they/she pronouns, it gets frustrating when people only use the one label that makes more sense to them visually, because it makes them feel more comfortable. Like, yeah, you’re not technically wrong, but it’d be nice if people actually used both labels. That was something I was delighted to notice and didn’t realize I needed to see in a book until I saw it.

My one critique is that some things felt a bit rushed. I feel like she came to her lesbian identity too quickly to be realistic. I know there are people who know immediately, but a large portion of queer people take a bit to figure out a label and wrestle with that, especially at their age, and especially when their carefully crafted and protected reputation of three years is on the line. Part of me is glad we skipped that because while that’s a huge part of the journey, it’s a story that’s been told again and again. But it just felt a bit unrealistic, as though it was shortened just to hit a lower page count.

I’ve said this before: Some YA books you can enjoy as an adult, and some you can’t. This book is enjoyable for both the target audience and older readers. It’s wholesome and heartfelt and earnest; the kind of romance that has you kicking your feet. I’d highly recommend this to sapphic readers, or as a dip in the pool for people who haven’t read any sapphic romances yet. For those who want books to help heal their inner child who didn’t get to read lesbian romances growing up, this definitely belongs on that list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s books for the advanced copy! I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Unpopmary · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

This YA romance follows Ellie, a sixteen-year-old who has her entire life meticulously planned—from dating the “right” guy to saying exactly what’s expected of her—all in an effort to avoid being mocked for her autism. When her boyfriend humiliates her at a party by calling her the “boring girl,” her carefully built image begins to crumble. But before she can spiral too much, she heads off to Smash, a beach volleyball summer camp. There she meets Sierra, her mysterious and emotionally guarded cabin mate. As they grow closer, Ellie starts letting go of the rules she’s always relied on—and begins questioning whether what she feels for Sierra might be something deeper than friendship.

I picked this up mainly because of the autism rep, and I’m so glad I did. Even though I’m not autistic, I really appreciated the care Birdie put into portraying autism as a spectrum rather than a stereotype. The story makes it clear that there isn’t just one way to be autistic, and that nuance felt intentional and respectful. It was one of the strongest aspects of the book.

Ellie was such a compelling FMC. She’s insecure, anxious about fitting in, and painfully aware of how the world perceives her. Her fear of standing out felt painfully real, especially in a high school setting where belonging can feel like survival. Watching her slowly move away from being a people-pleaser and toward living authentically was genuinely rewarding. Her character arc was thoughtfully done, though I did feel her realization about her sexuality happened a bit quickly. I would have loved to see that exploration unfold more gradually. Even so, there were hints leading up to it that showed some build-up.

Sierra took me longer to warm up to. At first, she seemed distant and a little sharp around the edges, but as more layers were revealed, her behavior made more sense. I liked that she never invalidated Ellie and actively tried to understand autism better for her. She often felt emotionally older than sixteen, which made her dynamic with Ellie interesting.

One of my favorite elements was the friendship at camp. The group dynamic felt refreshingly healthy and supportive. Instead of competition or status-driven bonds, we see genuine connection. That sense of community added so much warmth to the story and made Ellie’s transformation feel organic. It’s the kind of friend group teenage me would have desperately wanted.

I also loved Ellie’s relationship with her brother, Noah. There’s something incredibly comforting about the way he remains open and kind despite the distance that had grown between them. He brings a softness to the story that balances some of its heavier themes.

The romance, however, didn’t fully convince me. It felt subtle to the point of almost fading into the background, and some of their interactions seemed more situational than intentional. While I could clearly see how they helped each other grow, the chemistry sometimes read as deeply platonic rather than romantic. By the end, I wasn’t entirely sold on them as a couple, even though I appreciated what their connection represented.

Overall, Smash or Pass is more than a light summer YA. It’s about identity, acceptance, friendship, and learning to exist without shrinking yourself. I can easily see younger readers finding pieces of themselves in Ellie’s journey, especially those navigating what it means to embrace who they truly are.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC.