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Buried Feelings
When a San Francisco treasure hunt ropes two ex-besties back together, they’ll end up digging into their own complicated, buried feelings in this queer YA rom com!
“A delightful romance, treasure hunt, and celebration of queer history all rolled into one.”—Kelly Quindlen, bestselling author of She Drives Me Crazy
Cam was the one who discovered the hunt. He brought it to Ivy like an offering, took her hand as they combed through San Francisco, searching for treasure and conspiring against the heteronormative agenda. But that was back then.
Now juniors, they're both out and proud—Cam as a trans man and Ivy as gay—but their friendship isn't as assured. Problem is, Ivy can’t reveal Cam’s past betrayal without airing closely guarded secrets of her own.
As Ivy comes across the missing link in the treasure hunt from their childhood, she’s certain she can put the clues together and finally come out on top in the cat-and-mouse game Cam’s been playing with her ever since their friendship ended.
Once Cam gets wind of Ivy’s renewed interest in the hunt, the ex-best friends will go head-to-head in their search for gold. But as they get digging, they’ll uncover more things buried between them than they bargained for.
“A delightful romance, treasure hunt, and celebration of queer history all rolled into one.”—Kelly Quindlen, bestselling author of She Drives Me Crazy
Cam was the one who discovered the hunt. He brought it to Ivy like an offering, took her hand as they combed through San Francisco, searching for treasure and conspiring against the heteronormative agenda. But that was back then.
Now juniors, they're both out and proud—Cam as a trans man and Ivy as gay—but their friendship isn't as assured. Problem is, Ivy can’t reveal Cam’s past betrayal without airing closely guarded secrets of her own.
As Ivy comes across the missing link in the treasure hunt from their childhood, she’s certain she can put the clues together and finally come out on top in the cat-and-mouse game Cam’s been playing with her ever since their friendship ended.
Once Cam gets wind of Ivy’s renewed interest in the hunt, the ex-best friends will go head-to-head in their search for gold. But as they get digging, they’ll uncover more things buried between them than they bargained for.
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First published July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 8, 2026
So going to start off this review like any other. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for approving me to read this arc. So I’m just going to say that I did not like this book at all. Like at all. For me this book was a 1.5✨. The characters were very dense and self centered.
I didn’t really like how the story played out because from what I read from the synopsis on Goodreads, it made me think that our main characters Cam and Ivy were doing this scavenger hunt together. Which they were at the start but for most of the book they weren’t. And that really confused me it also confused me that when I read the synopsis that Ivy was lesbian and Cam is a trans male, I was totally confused on how they would get together and I was like in my head maybe Ivy likes one of the girls in her friend group. I was wrong.
One thing I really didn’t like was how toxic Ivy was with herself and other people including her mother.🙄 There was so much miscommunication in this book and it was just awful. Ivy avoided her feelings all throughout this book and it was childish, so much so that she did the scavenger hunt on her own and didn’t tell her friends and she disrespected and disregarded their feelings and I was disgusted by that.
Now let’s talk about our other main character, Cam. When he wasn’t on the page you kind of forgot about him because Ivy wanted to forget him but couldn’t because she was so out of touch with herself and her feelings. But Cam was the opposite he knew what he wanted but he never went for what he wanted until the end because he wanted Ivy to figure out that he liked her. Which was stupid because again if Cam and Ivy had communicated more then this book would be cut in half.
The real reason I kept reading was because I wanted to know what the prize was. Also let me bring up that there was a lot of mentions of having to be gay or needing to be. And in the first chapter when Ivy was on a date her date says something close to why do you make everything about being gay and that’s what the book was like everything was about being gay and it got repetitive and annoying. It got so annoying that Ivy’s friends were annoyed when she made the big deal of being gay. This book had so many facts that I didn’t know which at some points in the book I appreciated but this could have been a nonfiction book with Ivy, Cam and all of their friends. I was also cringing a lot about how the characters dealt with their problems and I had to close the NetGalley app many times. I had to force myself to finish the book just to see how it ended.
The last thirty pages of the book was the best because the characters finally started talking to each other, the writing got better, and all of the characters stopped avoiding their feelings. Now I’m questions why the last thirty pages were better than the rest of the book. The whole book should have been written like the last thirty pages in my opinion.
If you couldn’t tell I did not like this book. Maybe someone else will love it but there could have been changes that would have made me like this book a lot more. I just want to thank NetGalley again and the author for allowing me to read Buried Feelings and letting me review this book.
I didn’t really like how the story played out because from what I read from the synopsis on Goodreads, it made me think that our main characters Cam and Ivy were doing this scavenger hunt together. Which they were at the start but for most of the book they weren’t. And that really confused me it also confused me that when I read the synopsis that Ivy was lesbian and Cam is a trans male, I was totally confused on how they would get together and I was like in my head maybe Ivy likes one of the girls in her friend group. I was wrong.
One thing I really didn’t like was how toxic Ivy was with herself and other people including her mother.🙄 There was so much miscommunication in this book and it was just awful. Ivy avoided her feelings all throughout this book and it was childish, so much so that she did the scavenger hunt on her own and didn’t tell her friends and she disrespected and disregarded their feelings and I was disgusted by that.
Now let’s talk about our other main character, Cam. When he wasn’t on the page you kind of forgot about him because Ivy wanted to forget him but couldn’t because she was so out of touch with herself and her feelings. But Cam was the opposite he knew what he wanted but he never went for what he wanted until the end because he wanted Ivy to figure out that he liked her. Which was stupid because again if Cam and Ivy had communicated more then this book would be cut in half.
The real reason I kept reading was because I wanted to know what the prize was. Also let me bring up that there was a lot of mentions of having to be gay or needing to be. And in the first chapter when Ivy was on a date her date says something close to why do you make everything about being gay and that’s what the book was like everything was about being gay and it got repetitive and annoying. It got so annoying that Ivy’s friends were annoyed when she made the big deal of being gay. This book had so many facts that I didn’t know which at some points in the book I appreciated but this could have been a nonfiction book with Ivy, Cam and all of their friends. I was also cringing a lot about how the characters dealt with their problems and I had to close the NetGalley app many times. I had to force myself to finish the book just to see how it ended.
The last thirty pages of the book was the best because the characters finally started talking to each other, the writing got better, and all of the characters stopped avoiding their feelings. Now I’m questions why the last thirty pages were better than the rest of the book. The whole book should have been written like the last thirty pages in my opinion.
If you couldn’t tell I did not like this book. Maybe someone else will love it but there could have been changes that would have made me like this book a lot more. I just want to thank NetGalley again and the author for allowing me to read Buried Feelings and letting me review this book.
Did Not Finish
July 3, 2026really appreciate what this book was trying to do but i honestly think it suffered from being a YA book and not a bunch of 20 somethibg year Olds. I think especially in this political climate, delving into queer history and exploring their impact they had years prior that bleeds over to right now would have hit so hard if it could go beyond the surface level.
The national treasure references happened atleast 15 times in 20% and while I get the intention the need was not there. I also do not understand Cam as a character your best friend comes out as gay and you say ew basically and disappear from her life and then a year later say I'm gay too!!!! But still gonna be unnecessarily mean to you!!!
I think the book would have benefited from Ivy/Cam not being love interest for each other too the ex bffs to something more doesn't work if you have no real glimpse of their friendship .
Sad it didn't hit the right spot for me as it sounded so interesting but I don't want to keep reading and it ultimately be a bad review on release day
The national treasure references happened atleast 15 times in 20% and while I get the intention the need was not there. I also do not understand Cam as a character your best friend comes out as gay and you say ew basically and disappear from her life and then a year later say I'm gay too!!!! But still gonna be unnecessarily mean to you!!!
I think the book would have benefited from Ivy/Cam not being love interest for each other too the ex bffs to something more doesn't work if you have no real glimpse of their friendship .
Sad it didn't hit the right spot for me as it sounded so interesting but I don't want to keep reading and it ultimately be a bad review on release day
July 14, 2026
I picked this up in the PRH audio app ahead of publication on a whim and glad ai did as it was a fun book which more importantly has great representation and one that I can easily recommend to my young readers.
July 10, 2026
Ivy and Cam used to be best friends when they were young. But their relationship soured when he abandoned her for a year. Now she wants him to stop invading her life.
Then Ivy finds a clue to a treasure hunt that she had previously tried to solve with Cam. At first, she tried to investigate with her friends, but the search inevitably pulls Cam back in.
🔑Young Adult Fiction
🌉Treasure Hunt
🔑Queer Romance
🌉Ex-Childhood Friends to Lovers
🔑Trans Love Interest
🌉San Francisco Adventure
🔑LGBTQ+ History
'Buried Feelings' is a fast-paced treasure hunt with a romance subplot. It's an exciting adventure across the modern streets of San Francisco and through its queer history.
Cam is smooth, flirty, and popular. He's skilled at convincing people to like him and tends to make friends easily. It's something he's been using to infiltrate back into Ivy's life wherever he can. I found him endearing even when Ivy couldn’t stand him.
Ivy is an overthinker who doesn't have a filter when she's nervous. She's makes mistakes and learns a lot about other people’s perspectives. This story is set up to give her a strong character arc, but it doesn't fully pull through.
Cam and Ivy know each other very well, but time apart has changed them. With that said, they don't interact much until the second half of the book. Instead, the plot is much more focused on her relationship with her other friends. I wish this had been restructured so that Cam was more involved from the beginning.
The exploration of queer (American) history was interesting and could be quite solemn. This book is also inspired by ‘National Treasure,’ but with the stakes lowered for young adult audiences.
Then Ivy finds a clue to a treasure hunt that she had previously tried to solve with Cam. At first, she tried to investigate with her friends, but the search inevitably pulls Cam back in.
🔑Young Adult Fiction
🌉Treasure Hunt
🔑Queer Romance
🌉Ex-Childhood Friends to Lovers
🔑Trans Love Interest
🌉San Francisco Adventure
🔑LGBTQ+ History
'Buried Feelings' is a fast-paced treasure hunt with a romance subplot. It's an exciting adventure across the modern streets of San Francisco and through its queer history.
Cam is smooth, flirty, and popular. He's skilled at convincing people to like him and tends to make friends easily. It's something he's been using to infiltrate back into Ivy's life wherever he can. I found him endearing even when Ivy couldn’t stand him.
Ivy is an overthinker who doesn't have a filter when she's nervous. She's makes mistakes and learns a lot about other people’s perspectives. This story is set up to give her a strong character arc, but it doesn't fully pull through.
Cam and Ivy know each other very well, but time apart has changed them. With that said, they don't interact much until the second half of the book. Instead, the plot is much more focused on her relationship with her other friends. I wish this had been restructured so that Cam was more involved from the beginning.
The exploration of queer (American) history was interesting and could be quite solemn. This book is also inspired by ‘National Treasure,’ but with the stakes lowered for young adult audiences.
Read
May 12, 2026DNF @ 50%
I went in expecting a romance filled treasure hunt. At 50% the love interests have barely shared more than a couple of pages of dialogue, and one flashback scene. The treasure hunt has been interesting, and honestly is the only thing that has made me get this far. Ivy is a hard character for me to root for, and I don’t know enough about Cam to feel invested enough to continue.
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the EARC.
I went in expecting a romance filled treasure hunt. At 50% the love interests have barely shared more than a couple of pages of dialogue, and one flashback scene. The treasure hunt has been interesting, and honestly is the only thing that has made me get this far. Ivy is a hard character for me to root for, and I don’t know enough about Cam to feel invested enough to continue.
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for the EARC.
July 23, 2026
*3.5 stars
Really thought this would be more about Ivy and Cam treasure hunting together and repairing their relationship along the way. In the end, Cam was barely present--we desperately needed his pov--and there was absolutely no chemistry between him and Ivy. While I enjoyed the general plot, I really didn't care about Ivy treasure hunting with a whole other set of friends for more than 50% of the book.
Also, I love National Treasure but the references to it started to get very repetitive and old.
Really thought this would be more about Ivy and Cam treasure hunting together and repairing their relationship along the way. In the end, Cam was barely present--we desperately needed his pov--and there was absolutely no chemistry between him and Ivy. While I enjoyed the general plot, I really didn't care about Ivy treasure hunting with a whole other set of friends for more than 50% of the book.
Also, I love National Treasure but the references to it started to get very repetitive and old.
June 18, 2026
I received a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
The summary misled me. I went into this book believing it was a dual POV between Cam and Ivy, but it was just Ivy. This would have been okay, except for the fact I really did not like Ivy.
Despite being a very well researched and unique view into queer history, Ivy ends up being queerphobic on occasion. She's a self professed "gay queen," and yet she judges others for preferring the label "queer" to "gay." She also separated ace and aro identities out of the umbrella term queer, which is blatant aphobia. Ivy also it feels cis-plains Cam's relationship with something that might make him dysphoric, and I really disliked that as a trans guy myself.
Ivy is also a very self centered main character. She does very little of her own work, or is only ever thinking about herself. Her character arc is very flat and it doesn't feel like she actually learns or has much of a realization about herself on her own.
This book is also classified as a romance, but more page time and relationship building is spent on the platonic friend group than the romantic relationship. Cam barely even shows up until roughly the halfway point. If it was marketed as a side plot that would be one thing, as the yearbook club were characters I did grow to enjoy, but instead it was marketed as a romance book.
The treasure hunt exceeded my expectations, at least. It might have been a bit corny, but most treasure hunts are. The tie-ins to queer history made it worthwhile, and I learned things from this book that I haven't heard elsewhere before. This was not enough to save my opinion on this book, though.
I feel very misled as to what this book was actually going to be. Others who read it might enjoy it more than I did if they're aware of how little page time the romance has and the fact it's a single POV book, but I wish it was clearer from the start.
The summary misled me. I went into this book believing it was a dual POV between Cam and Ivy, but it was just Ivy. This would have been okay, except for the fact I really did not like Ivy.
Despite being a very well researched and unique view into queer history, Ivy ends up being queerphobic on occasion. She's a self professed "gay queen," and yet she judges others for preferring the label "queer" to "gay." She also separated ace and aro identities out of the umbrella term queer, which is blatant aphobia. Ivy also it feels cis-plains Cam's relationship with something that might make him dysphoric, and I really disliked that as a trans guy myself.
Ivy is also a very self centered main character. She does very little of her own work, or is only ever thinking about herself. Her character arc is very flat and it doesn't feel like she actually learns or has much of a realization about herself on her own.
This book is also classified as a romance, but more page time and relationship building is spent on the platonic friend group than the romantic relationship. Cam barely even shows up until roughly the halfway point. If it was marketed as a side plot that would be one thing, as the yearbook club were characters I did grow to enjoy, but instead it was marketed as a romance book.
The treasure hunt exceeded my expectations, at least. It might have been a bit corny, but most treasure hunts are. The tie-ins to queer history made it worthwhile, and I learned things from this book that I haven't heard elsewhere before. This was not enough to save my opinion on this book, though.
I feel very misled as to what this book was actually going to be. Others who read it might enjoy it more than I did if they're aware of how little page time the romance has and the fact it's a single POV book, but I wish it was clearer from the start.
June 13, 2026
3.5 stars. This book has a lot of elements I'm drawn to - a treasure hunt mystery, a will-they-or-won't-they romance- but it ultimately fell a bit short for me with some of the characterization and setting.
Ivy and Cam used to be besties...until she came out and something changed. They've been avoiding each other, but when Ivy discovers something related to a treasure hunt that they used to work on together, she feels compelled to reconnect with Cam to solve it. Doing so creates tension between her and her yearbook crew and puts her in a position where she has to decide whether to compromise friendships for the possibility of rekindling whatever it was she once had with Cam. Her choice will impact who finds the treasure. Who deserves to find it most, the person who found the hunt in the first place, or the people who have worked together to make the most progress on the clues?
Ivy is kind of annoying, especially at the start of the book. I feel like I have read a couple of unlikeable lesbian characters recently, so maybe I am biased! But, I got over my issues with Ivy about midway through the book when the action really picked up.
I had a harder time with the yearbook characters. I felt like I didn't know quite enough about them to keep track of them or to really care enough when Ivy felt torn between them and Cam. Perhaps it's because Cam was so well depicted that the others felt flat. Regardless, this limited my investment in one of the main conflicts of the story because I was rooting for Cam the whole time!
I found Ivy's issues with her mom unnecessary and distracting from the plot as a whole. In my opinion, Ivy's realizations about her art could have come from a different source, and her mom could have been written out of the text entirely, which would have increased the charm level of the book.
I think that I would have loved the setting if I were more familiar with San Francisco. I had a hard time picturing some of the locations based on the descriptions. There is one park that plays a major role, and when I finally looked it up, it was completely different than what I had imagined. Shout out to Ranger Merilyn, though!
Despite my reservations about some of the characters and setting, I had a lot of fun reading the second half of the book. It all comes together nicely by the end, which increased my rating from what I thought it would be when I first started reading.
I loved reading this book during Pride, though it should have a place in a secondary classroom library all year. I wouldn't teach it as a whole-class novel, but it could be a fun book club pick. Without giving too much away, there's a bit of a sexual awakening in the book but not much more than kissing that happens. Different sexual and gender identities are explored as well, and the author describes how she worked hard for accurate representation of specific identities in the Author's Note. I almost wish I had read the Author's Note first; I found it illuminating in terms of Rosewater's inspiration and some background on the book.
Thank you to Delacorte Romance for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Ivy and Cam used to be besties...until she came out and something changed. They've been avoiding each other, but when Ivy discovers something related to a treasure hunt that they used to work on together, she feels compelled to reconnect with Cam to solve it. Doing so creates tension between her and her yearbook crew and puts her in a position where she has to decide whether to compromise friendships for the possibility of rekindling whatever it was she once had with Cam. Her choice will impact who finds the treasure. Who deserves to find it most, the person who found the hunt in the first place, or the people who have worked together to make the most progress on the clues?
Ivy is kind of annoying, especially at the start of the book. I feel like I have read a couple of unlikeable lesbian characters recently, so maybe I am biased! But, I got over my issues with Ivy about midway through the book when the action really picked up.
I had a harder time with the yearbook characters. I felt like I didn't know quite enough about them to keep track of them or to really care enough when Ivy felt torn between them and Cam. Perhaps it's because Cam was so well depicted that the others felt flat. Regardless, this limited my investment in one of the main conflicts of the story because I was rooting for Cam the whole time!
I found Ivy's issues with her mom unnecessary and distracting from the plot as a whole. In my opinion, Ivy's realizations about her art could have come from a different source, and her mom could have been written out of the text entirely, which would have increased the charm level of the book.
I think that I would have loved the setting if I were more familiar with San Francisco. I had a hard time picturing some of the locations based on the descriptions. There is one park that plays a major role, and when I finally looked it up, it was completely different than what I had imagined. Shout out to Ranger Merilyn, though!
Despite my reservations about some of the characters and setting, I had a lot of fun reading the second half of the book. It all comes together nicely by the end, which increased my rating from what I thought it would be when I first started reading.
I loved reading this book during Pride, though it should have a place in a secondary classroom library all year. I wouldn't teach it as a whole-class novel, but it could be a fun book club pick. Without giving too much away, there's a bit of a sexual awakening in the book but not much more than kissing that happens. Different sexual and gender identities are explored as well, and the author describes how she worked hard for accurate representation of specific identities in the Author's Note. I almost wish I had read the Author's Note first; I found it illuminating in terms of Rosewater's inspiration and some background on the book.
Thank you to Delacorte Romance for providing this book for review consideration via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
*3.25
Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Delacorte for providing me with (my very first!!) eARC.
Buried Feelings intrigued me with it's melding of gay history and a fractured friendship. What it ended up being was a messy scavenger hunt, a complex friends to lovers romance, and a dive into the complex issues that are figuring out your sexuality as a teenager. Oh, and, a big helping of gay history as well.
Let's get this out of the way, Ivey is a frustrating character. She is annoyingly obtuse, obsessed with labels, and a bad friend for a lot of this book. That being said, she reminds me so much of myself and my friends as teens. When your labels and your perspective mean everything to you. You cling onto those aspects of yourself and anything that jeopardizes it is scary. Let's throw in her distant mother and that makes for a very frustrating POV. Ivey, however, goes on a journey of character growth that is satisfying. I do wish we had leaned into her growth a tad bit more.
Cam and Ivey's relationship is very messy and I love mess, so that truly didn't bother me. I love how dense they are to the others feelings. That might not be for everyone, but it did work for me. Would it have been awesome if they had decided to start communicating before the last 1/4 of this book, yes.
Now *big sigh* the scavenger hunt of it all. This is what dragged the book down for me. I found the clues and riddles to be annoyingly vague and long and hard to follow. I found the actual bits of lgbtq history so interesting, but I found our path to get there very boring. Maybe that's just a me problem, maybe I just don't like riddles.
I think this book works in a lot of ways, but I do have to admit I slogged through most of it. It almost lands the mark for me in so many ways. I love how messy Cam and Ivey's relationship is, I love discussing nuances of sexuality, and I think Rosewater shows a lot of promise for her desire to pen a story taking on all the topics she does. I just think another round of edits could've really helped this book be more fleshed out and less like you were on a scavenger hunt yourself trying to tie them all togeher.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Delacorte for this eARC!
Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Delacorte for providing me with (my very first!!) eARC.
Buried Feelings intrigued me with it's melding of gay history and a fractured friendship. What it ended up being was a messy scavenger hunt, a complex friends to lovers romance, and a dive into the complex issues that are figuring out your sexuality as a teenager. Oh, and, a big helping of gay history as well.
Let's get this out of the way, Ivey is a frustrating character. She is annoyingly obtuse, obsessed with labels, and a bad friend for a lot of this book. That being said, she reminds me so much of myself and my friends as teens. When your labels and your perspective mean everything to you. You cling onto those aspects of yourself and anything that jeopardizes it is scary. Let's throw in her distant mother and that makes for a very frustrating POV. Ivey, however, goes on a journey of character growth that is satisfying. I do wish we had leaned into her growth a tad bit more.
Cam and Ivey's relationship is very messy and I love mess, so that truly didn't bother me. I love how dense they are to the others feelings. That might not be for everyone, but it did work for me. Would it have been awesome if they had decided to start communicating before the last 1/4 of this book, yes.
Now *big sigh* the scavenger hunt of it all. This is what dragged the book down for me. I found the clues and riddles to be annoyingly vague and long and hard to follow. I found the actual bits of lgbtq history so interesting, but I found our path to get there very boring. Maybe that's just a me problem, maybe I just don't like riddles.
I think this book works in a lot of ways, but I do have to admit I slogged through most of it. It almost lands the mark for me in so many ways. I love how messy Cam and Ivey's relationship is, I love discussing nuances of sexuality, and I think Rosewater shows a lot of promise for her desire to pen a story taking on all the topics she does. I just think another round of edits could've really helped this book be more fleshed out and less like you were on a scavenger hunt yourself trying to tie them all togeher.
Thank you again to NetGalley and Delacorte for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to PRHAudio and Delacorte Press for my gifted copies of the book.
I grew up loving movies like The Goonies, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure (all movies that are referenced at some point in Buried Feelings), so this definitely felt like a book that was meant for the treasure hunter in me. There was a time in my life where I wanted to be an anthropologist. It may have been because of Jurassic Park, but all of these things tie together in some way. Whether it be digging up pottery and ancient bones or very old hidden jewelry, it all feels like the grand prize when you find it.
I will say that there is a trope used in this book that a lot of people don’t love. I, myself, can understand the importance of it as a tool for showing a reason that two characters have some sort of disagreement. Miscommunication, when done correctly, makes sense. I think it was used really well, in that the main reason that Cam and Ivy haven’t spoken in years is because of one conversation.
Coming out, especially to those you care about, can be really scary. For Ivy, coming out to her best friend was life changing. She had always had some unrequited feelings for Cam, but at the time, Cam hadn’t told Ivy that he was trans. So when she said that she was a lesbian, part of it had been in hopes that they would get together. But for Cam, that meant they couldn’t be together, because he was a boy.
Now in this situation, the miscommunication was because they didn’t tell eachother their feelings. Cam hadn’t come out to Ivy, so how was she to know that he was a boy? While you’re reading the first half of the book, at least in my case, I was frustrated. But it all made sense for the story.
I loved that the treasure hunt was centered around queer history. Each of the treasures was centered around a person who had a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community. While those names may be familiar to a lot of older gays, the people who this book is meant for may be hearing them for the first time. Which makes it even more special. And I love that!
I grew up loving movies like The Goonies, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure (all movies that are referenced at some point in Buried Feelings), so this definitely felt like a book that was meant for the treasure hunter in me. There was a time in my life where I wanted to be an anthropologist. It may have been because of Jurassic Park, but all of these things tie together in some way. Whether it be digging up pottery and ancient bones or very old hidden jewelry, it all feels like the grand prize when you find it.
I will say that there is a trope used in this book that a lot of people don’t love. I, myself, can understand the importance of it as a tool for showing a reason that two characters have some sort of disagreement. Miscommunication, when done correctly, makes sense. I think it was used really well, in that the main reason that Cam and Ivy haven’t spoken in years is because of one conversation.
Coming out, especially to those you care about, can be really scary. For Ivy, coming out to her best friend was life changing. She had always had some unrequited feelings for Cam, but at the time, Cam hadn’t told Ivy that he was trans. So when she said that she was a lesbian, part of it had been in hopes that they would get together. But for Cam, that meant they couldn’t be together, because he was a boy.
Now in this situation, the miscommunication was because they didn’t tell eachother their feelings. Cam hadn’t come out to Ivy, so how was she to know that he was a boy? While you’re reading the first half of the book, at least in my case, I was frustrated. But it all made sense for the story.
I loved that the treasure hunt was centered around queer history. Each of the treasures was centered around a person who had a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community. While those names may be familiar to a lot of older gays, the people who this book is meant for may be hearing them for the first time. Which makes it even more special. And I love that!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
This read like a middle grade novel, and I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had actually been written for younger readers. As it was, the main character Ivy felt whiny and immature and at times it felt like the author was trying too hard to get her theme across. That heavy-handedness can work in middle grade novels, but in YA, readers can be expected to read between the lines a little more.
I enjoyed the premise of the book: Ivy and Cam used to be best friends, but after Ivy comes out as gay to Cam, they stop speaking. The treasure hunt they started is left to gather dust until Ivy decides to start it up again with her new friends. She races to finish it before Cam does, and along the way, she learns all about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. Throughout the book, we get flashbacks to Ivy and Cam's past and learn more about how each of their queer identities has impacted their relationship with each other. I loved how LGBTQ+ history was introduced through the lens of a treasure hunt, with each clue revealing something new, and how Ivy learned more about intersectionality and her own privilege over the course of the hunt (though it would have been great to get more of that; it felt a bit like a footnote). I enjoyed the ending of the book, when we finally learn Cam's perspective on the end of their friendship.
What I didn't enjoy was Ivy. I know characters are supposed to have flaws, but she had no redeeming qualities in my opinion. I found her incredibly annoying, stuck up, and entitled, and I wasn't satisfied by her "redemption" because I never cared about her to begin with. Her friends deserve better. I would have enjoyed reading this story from Cam's point of view, because I feel like he had more of an emotional investment in his relationship with Ivy and the hunt. But alas.
I enjoyed the premise of the book: Ivy and Cam used to be best friends, but after Ivy comes out as gay to Cam, they stop speaking. The treasure hunt they started is left to gather dust until Ivy decides to start it up again with her new friends. She races to finish it before Cam does, and along the way, she learns all about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. Throughout the book, we get flashbacks to Ivy and Cam's past and learn more about how each of their queer identities has impacted their relationship with each other. I loved how LGBTQ+ history was introduced through the lens of a treasure hunt, with each clue revealing something new, and how Ivy learned more about intersectionality and her own privilege over the course of the hunt (though it would have been great to get more of that; it felt a bit like a footnote). I enjoyed the ending of the book, when we finally learn Cam's perspective on the end of their friendship.
What I didn't enjoy was Ivy. I know characters are supposed to have flaws, but she had no redeeming qualities in my opinion. I found her incredibly annoying, stuck up, and entitled, and I wasn't satisfied by her "redemption" because I never cared about her to begin with. Her friends deserve better. I would have enjoyed reading this story from Cam's point of view, because I feel like he had more of an emotional investment in his relationship with Ivy and the hunt. But alas.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advanced copy of Buried Feelings by Kit Rosewater to review! A gay treasure hunt sounded like an absolutely good time, and I wasn't disapointed. If you enjoy many National Treasure references, this treasure hunting book will definitley be for you.
The treasure hunt at the center of the book was the best part of the story. I loved the little pieces of queer history that the characters discover as they running around San Francisco. The images and snippets of code included throughout really drew me into the story and almost made me feel like I was a part of the treasure hunt myself.
Fair warning: there is quite a bit of miscommunication (or severe lack of communication) in this book. It makes sense because they are teenagers and trying to figure each other out, but it might not be for everyone. Ivy especially is trying to figure herself out, specifically her future and what exactly her feelings are for Cam. When they both finally get to talk (it is a romance afterall), it's such a relief. I'd like to see them together more, but they had to make their way back there.
The summary of this book does make it seem like Cam and Ivy are doing this treasure hunt together, but they are actually apart for a lot of the book. They're more competing on the treasure hunt than trying to do it together. It does drive the overall conflict of the story, but it could have been fun to see them together a little more.
All in all, if you like adventure filled, treasure hunting driven romance, definitely check this one out in July!
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advanced copy of Buried Feelings by Kit Rosewater to review! A gay treasure hunt sounded like an absolutely good time, and I wasn't disapointed. If you enjoy many National Treasure references, this treasure hunting book will definitley be for you.
The treasure hunt at the center of the book was the best part of the story. I loved the little pieces of queer history that the characters discover as they running around San Francisco. The images and snippets of code included throughout really drew me into the story and almost made me feel like I was a part of the treasure hunt myself.
Fair warning: there is quite a bit of miscommunication (or severe lack of communication) in this book. It makes sense because they are teenagers and trying to figure each other out, but it might not be for everyone. Ivy especially is trying to figure herself out, specifically her future and what exactly her feelings are for Cam. When they both finally get to talk (it is a romance afterall), it's such a relief. I'd like to see them together more, but they had to make their way back there.
The summary of this book does make it seem like Cam and Ivy are doing this treasure hunt together, but they are actually apart for a lot of the book. They're more competing on the treasure hunt than trying to do it together. It does drive the overall conflict of the story, but it could have been fun to see them together a little more.
All in all, if you like adventure filled, treasure hunting driven romance, definitely check this one out in July!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would highly recommend this one if you love puzzles, treasure hunts, the national treasure movies, quirky teens and heartfelt reflections. This one was so good! I loved how much the treasure hunt allowed our characters to explore their hometown, selves, and remember history that has been overlooked or forgotten.
Cam and Ivy used to be best friends, and the summer before their friendship ended they were on a treasure hunt around San Francisco. Something happened and now Ivy can't wait to get out and go to art school in Paris where she doesn't have to be plagued by her non-friendship with Cam. When the treasure hunt comes back to the surface Cam and Ivy have to decide if they can work together and move through their history to the present.
I loved the gang of friends in this one. Each character took the stage in their own ways. One of my favorite parts of this book is learning about all of Ivy's friends through her eyes. I also really loved the exploration of history and what is remembered in this story. It was probably my favorite part of this story. I loved that it brought history to the forefront in such a clever way. And of course I enjoyed following Cam and Ivy and learning about their own history.
Read if you love fun, adventure, friendships, and some everyday magic. I highly recommend, this was such an enjoyable read!! Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cam and Ivy used to be best friends, and the summer before their friendship ended they were on a treasure hunt around San Francisco. Something happened and now Ivy can't wait to get out and go to art school in Paris where she doesn't have to be plagued by her non-friendship with Cam. When the treasure hunt comes back to the surface Cam and Ivy have to decide if they can work together and move through their history to the present.
I loved the gang of friends in this one. Each character took the stage in their own ways. One of my favorite parts of this book is learning about all of Ivy's friends through her eyes. I also really loved the exploration of history and what is remembered in this story. It was probably my favorite part of this story. I loved that it brought history to the forefront in such a clever way. And of course I enjoyed following Cam and Ivy and learning about their own history.
Read if you love fun, adventure, friendships, and some everyday magic. I highly recommend, this was such an enjoyable read!! Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved how this book combined the fun aspects of a scavenger hunt with real queer history but it all felt a bit half-assed to me because the author couldn't even be bothered to at least spare a bit of importance to labels. For the entirety of the book, the word gay is used to substitute multiple identities and while I understand that it's been used as an umbrella term, it's still an identity for homosexual men. It would not have hurt any to use the word queer, an actual umbrella term that actually includes both sexual orientation, sexuality AND gender differences from the norm. It was so frustrating to read.
That being said, I really did enjoy Ivy's character arc. She starts off overwhelmingly white, with the way she clung on to her labels as a defining part of her identity and got defensive over anything she deemed threatening to that validity, but over the course of the book she develops into a more fleshed out person who sees perspectives other than hers. It was so well written, even if I was a bit peeved that Sunny, an Asian girl, had to be the one to tell her about intersectionality of queerness, race and gender. Ivy's relationship with Cam was really messy too and I liked that quite a bit, very reminiscent of the teens I grew up with actually.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review
That being said, I really did enjoy Ivy's character arc. She starts off overwhelmingly white, with the way she clung on to her labels as a defining part of her identity and got defensive over anything she deemed threatening to that validity, but over the course of the book she develops into a more fleshed out person who sees perspectives other than hers. It was so well written, even if I was a bit peeved that Sunny, an Asian girl, had to be the one to tell her about intersectionality of queerness, race and gender. Ivy's relationship with Cam was really messy too and I liked that quite a bit, very reminiscent of the teens I grew up with actually.
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children's Books for the arc in exchange for an honest review
January 29, 2026
Overall this book was a delight. From the start, following Cam and Ivy through the San Francisco treasure hunt was fun and engaging, even when the story slowed slightly in a few spots. Their history as former best friends added so much tension and heart, and their dynamic felt very real and very high school. I especially enjoyed how messy and human they both were, trying to navigate friendship, pride, and old wounds while still figuring out who they wanted to be.
Cam’s story as a trans character was handled with warmth and care, and I appreciated how naturally it was woven into the narrative without becoming heavy or overwhelming. Ivy’s perspective felt honest and relatable, especially as she worked through her own fears and secrets. The supporting characters added humor and charm, making the whole cast feel like a group of kids you could actually imagine going to school with.
What I loved most was that this book allowed queer teens to just exist. There is no sex and no unnecessary drama, just friendship, growth, history, and a lot of fun along the way. It was both silly and meaningful, and I think it would be a great read for high school students or anyone looking for a light, affirming queer story.
Cam’s story as a trans character was handled with warmth and care, and I appreciated how naturally it was woven into the narrative without becoming heavy or overwhelming. Ivy’s perspective felt honest and relatable, especially as she worked through her own fears and secrets. The supporting characters added humor and charm, making the whole cast feel like a group of kids you could actually imagine going to school with.
What I loved most was that this book allowed queer teens to just exist. There is no sex and no unnecessary drama, just friendship, growth, history, and a lot of fun along the way. It was both silly and meaningful, and I think it would be a great read for high school students or anyone looking for a light, affirming queer story.
February 9, 2026
ARC from NetGalley, 3.5/5
I simply love San Francisco and the whole premise of the book was a major reason why I decided to give it a go. The history and the landmarks mentioned were effectively integrated in the text and the author did a great job setting up this hunt for the reader. One factor that was not mentioned in the summary and that I found confusing while reading is the major presence of other characters that help Ivy solve the puzzles. It really felt like Cam was missing the majority of the book and just appeared for a small ending of it. It’s possible that the reason for this distance I’ve felt with Cam is from the perspective this book is written in (i.e. if it was third person, maybe there would not be a barrier for his character?). Which is also why their ‘rivalry’ didn’t really feel like a rivalry, as I am not sure that Cam would define it as such if the book had his pov. And not to mention, I have no idea of what to think about the mother/daughter relationship that this book portrays as well. However, the representation of queer history was very interesting and very engagingly presented in this book. Overall, it was a very fast read which captured my attention and that had a very quick and happy ending.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel!
I simply love San Francisco and the whole premise of the book was a major reason why I decided to give it a go. The history and the landmarks mentioned were effectively integrated in the text and the author did a great job setting up this hunt for the reader. One factor that was not mentioned in the summary and that I found confusing while reading is the major presence of other characters that help Ivy solve the puzzles. It really felt like Cam was missing the majority of the book and just appeared for a small ending of it. It’s possible that the reason for this distance I’ve felt with Cam is from the perspective this book is written in (i.e. if it was third person, maybe there would not be a barrier for his character?). Which is also why their ‘rivalry’ didn’t really feel like a rivalry, as I am not sure that Cam would define it as such if the book had his pov. And not to mention, I have no idea of what to think about the mother/daughter relationship that this book portrays as well. However, the representation of queer history was very interesting and very engagingly presented in this book. Overall, it was a very fast read which captured my attention and that had a very quick and happy ending.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to @savethekitrosewater and to @delacorteromance for the advanced copy to read!
I’m a part of Kit’s traveling ARC and it came in the mail last night. I read it in two sittings today. It kept my attention and had me flipping pages so quick. I was like Ivy and Cam - let me know what the treasure is!!!
I adored so much about this book but the group of kids (Julia, Gabriel, and Sunny) that Ivy found a home with in her yearbook class made me so happy. They were a true delight. The text messages, group chat names, excitement for the hunt, and helping each other out were so much fun. I had an absolute blast with them.
I loved learning about Cam and Ivy’s history and what queerness meant to them. I audibly gasped a few times and laughed out loud more than I can say. Also, can I just say, I love a sweet and tender, well earned romance??? The kiss had me WEAK and Ty growth? Yes please.
The treasure hunt was an absolute blast and I LOVED the queer history element to the story. I wish the Gay Treasures book was real.
Anyway I had a great time and you will too. Thank you Kit. Love you mean it!!
I’m a part of Kit’s traveling ARC and it came in the mail last night. I read it in two sittings today. It kept my attention and had me flipping pages so quick. I was like Ivy and Cam - let me know what the treasure is!!!
I adored so much about this book but the group of kids (Julia, Gabriel, and Sunny) that Ivy found a home with in her yearbook class made me so happy. They were a true delight. The text messages, group chat names, excitement for the hunt, and helping each other out were so much fun. I had an absolute blast with them.
I loved learning about Cam and Ivy’s history and what queerness meant to them. I audibly gasped a few times and laughed out loud more than I can say. Also, can I just say, I love a sweet and tender, well earned romance??? The kiss had me WEAK and Ty growth? Yes please.
The treasure hunt was an absolute blast and I LOVED the queer history element to the story. I wish the Gay Treasures book was real.
Anyway I had a great time and you will too. Thank you Kit. Love you mean it!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a fun, adventurous, YA romance tour of San Francisco! As a former resident of San Francisco, I loved exploring the city again with this dynamic group of teenagers, looking for LGBTQIA+ history, San Francisco landmarks, and the answers to a decades-old buried treasure mystery. As with any great YA book, the characters are also learning about themselves and discovering their identities and social relationships. Kit Rosewater did a great job of writing from a teenage perspective, mixing in the right amount of humor, attitude, confidence, and self-doubt. I was completely pulled into Ivy and Cam’s story and the rest of the yearbook club’s adventure from start to finish! I also really enjoyed the highlighting of little-known San Francisco and LGBTQIA+ history. It would be fun to see more books set in the other cities mentioned in the buried treasure mystery book. ;)
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for an early reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for an early reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A delightful treasure hunt and ode to queer history! Rosewater throws so much history and goodness into this YA romcom, and YA readers will appreciate both the messiness of teen feelings and the romp of the treasure hunt. I appreciated the way Rosewater included the kinds of ciphers so readers can try to solve alongside the characters, while still providing enough plot and romance to keep this from being exclusively a mystery. This novel is just sheer fun.
A couple of notes: Adult YA readers may take issue with the way that this book can be a bit preachy, but discussions of intersectionality and trans experiences are laid out in a concrete way for teen readers (you know, the actual target of YA). All YA readers, regardless of age, will likely be frustrated by the way the stilted development of the side characters, but there is some development.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
A couple of notes: Adult YA readers may take issue with the way that this book can be a bit preachy, but discussions of intersectionality and trans experiences are laid out in a concrete way for teen readers (you know, the actual target of YA). All YA readers, regardless of age, will likely be frustrated by the way the stilted development of the side characters, but there is some development.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Romance for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 18, 2026
Unfortunately, I didn’t love this book as much as I had hoped I would going into it. The first 80% of the book, all I kept wondering was when any character development was going to happen. None of the characters communicated with each other, and were all so avoidant with their feelings. There was absolutely no emotional progression until the last 5 chapters, and the main characters just tip-toed around their feelings until that point.
I did love that this book is an ode to queer history and the city of San Francisco overall, but sadly was not enough to compensate for the lack of character development. The last 5 chapters read in such a different, hopeful tone, I almost felt like I was reading about completely different characters. If the whole book was written in that way, and didn't leave me second guessing, I would have enjoyed it much more. A huge thank you to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for this ARC!
I did love that this book is an ode to queer history and the city of San Francisco overall, but sadly was not enough to compensate for the lack of character development. The last 5 chapters read in such a different, hopeful tone, I almost felt like I was reading about completely different characters. If the whole book was written in that way, and didn't leave me second guessing, I would have enjoyed it much more. A huge thank you to Random House Children's Books and Netgalley for this ARC!
March 3, 2026
This was a really fun read for anyone who had a hyperfixation with the movie National Treasure as a child. The romance plotlines are definitely 2nd to the overall treasure hunt/mystery solving but I still had a really fun time reading this. This book did a really good highlighting conversations around sexuality I don't often see in books. Ivy talks about how since coming to terms with her sexuality being a lesbian is something she is very proud and vocal about being. So I enjoyed getting to see how she tackles realizing that the feelings she had for Cam prior to his transition may still be lingering under the surface.
I think this book is probably best enjoyed in physical format. I loved seeing the treasure hunt clue pictures that were included in the book, and I wish it was easier to flip back and reference them when they came up again in the story while reading on Kindle.
Thank you Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for an ARC of Buried Feelings.
I think this book is probably best enjoyed in physical format. I loved seeing the treasure hunt clue pictures that were included in the book, and I wish it was easier to flip back and reference them when they came up again in the story while reading on Kindle.
Thank you Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Romance, and NetGalley for an ARC of Buried Feelings.
March 19, 2026
A queer treasure hunt for the ages!
This was an absolute gem of a YA book. Following Ivy and Cam as thy deal with the fallout of their old friendship and what a new friendship would look like after so much has changed. Both are obsessed with finding the gay treasure hunt in California but also obsessed with each other hehe.
I absolutely loved the queer exploration of what different identities mean and how language around them can impact people and relationships. I loved seeing this cute queer community develop while also looking at the history of past queer communities in a very different time. I learned so much while also just felt so much queer joy. A must for young queer kids for sure. Will definitely be added to my recommendation lists!
Thanks to Jenny Howe for shouting this one out and to the publisher for the quick eARC!
This was an absolute gem of a YA book. Following Ivy and Cam as thy deal with the fallout of their old friendship and what a new friendship would look like after so much has changed. Both are obsessed with finding the gay treasure hunt in California but also obsessed with each other hehe.
I absolutely loved the queer exploration of what different identities mean and how language around them can impact people and relationships. I loved seeing this cute queer community develop while also looking at the history of past queer communities in a very different time. I learned so much while also just felt so much queer joy. A must for young queer kids for sure. Will definitely be added to my recommendation lists!
Thanks to Jenny Howe for shouting this one out and to the publisher for the quick eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Delacorte Romance for the earc of this amazing YA story!
Cry Rating: 0 (no tears)
A treasure hunt rooted in queer history with tie-ins to National Treasure. An exploration of identity and a true triumph to the YA genre!
What Stood Out:
- Ivy! Honestly, I love that girl and her confidence and her go-get-it spirit!
- The flashback scenes giving us more insight into Cam and Ivy’s fractured friendship.
- The treasure hunt! It was so much fun and the way it incorporated so much queer history was such a treat! I learned so much from this book!
- The all too real feelings Ivy experienced. When she feels as though she lost everyone it brought me right back to my own highschool days when everything feels so important and dramatic.
Read If You Like:
- queer exploration
- treasure hunts
- queer history
- friends-to-lovers
- rekindled relationships
Cry Rating: 0 (no tears)
A treasure hunt rooted in queer history with tie-ins to National Treasure. An exploration of identity and a true triumph to the YA genre!
What Stood Out:
- Ivy! Honestly, I love that girl and her confidence and her go-get-it spirit!
- The flashback scenes giving us more insight into Cam and Ivy’s fractured friendship.
- The treasure hunt! It was so much fun and the way it incorporated so much queer history was such a treat! I learned so much from this book!
- The all too real feelings Ivy experienced. When she feels as though she lost everyone it brought me right back to my own highschool days when everything feels so important and dramatic.
Read If You Like:
- queer exploration
- treasure hunts
- queer history
- friends-to-lovers
- rekindled relationships
July 19, 2026
Received this as an ARC.
This was a very sweet read. Ivy and Cam discovered a treasure hunt in San Francisco years ago, but they've since grown apart without finishing the hunt. Now they act as rivals to see who can complete the hunt separately while navigating the hurt they've caused each other.
There were definitely a lot of parts of the book that I enjoyed. It was unique having Ivy as gay and Cam as a trans man, and how Cam didn't come out until after his friendship with Ivy was fractured. It's was also great reading about the history of San Francisco and the gay rights movement here. I've grown up in the bay area and while I know a good bit, I still found myself learning more. There were a few parts I did feel my brain wander and so I got a little lost, but the book was basic enough that I could jump back in. Overall a solid 4 stars
This was a very sweet read. Ivy and Cam discovered a treasure hunt in San Francisco years ago, but they've since grown apart without finishing the hunt. Now they act as rivals to see who can complete the hunt separately while navigating the hurt they've caused each other.
There were definitely a lot of parts of the book that I enjoyed. It was unique having Ivy as gay and Cam as a trans man, and how Cam didn't come out until after his friendship with Ivy was fractured. It's was also great reading about the history of San Francisco and the gay rights movement here. I've grown up in the bay area and while I know a good bit, I still found myself learning more. There were a few parts I did feel my brain wander and so I got a little lost, but the book was basic enough that I could jump back in. Overall a solid 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautiful! Stunning! Sickeningly sweet! I knew from the first chapter that Buried Feelings was the book for me. A gay treasure hunt based on queer history and The Secret? It’s like my own catnip lol 😝
Sure, I love the adventure of it all, but I was also so invested in Ivy’s whole story. She’s surrounded by people and yet she’s so lonely. Her character development exists on so many axes and it makes her easy to empathize with. I love messy queer kids discovering themselves, but I also love messy queer kids who aren’t perfect. Ivy makes mistakes throughout the book. She hurts Cam and her other friends intentionally and unintentionally. She has to acknowledge the harm she’s caused.
I’m so glad this book exists! Go buy it tomorrow when it releases or request it from your library xoxo
Sure, I love the adventure of it all, but I was also so invested in Ivy’s whole story. She’s surrounded by people and yet she’s so lonely. Her character development exists on so many axes and it makes her easy to empathize with. I love messy queer kids discovering themselves, but I also love messy queer kids who aren’t perfect. Ivy makes mistakes throughout the book. She hurts Cam and her other friends intentionally and unintentionally. She has to acknowledge the harm she’s caused.
I’m so glad this book exists! Go buy it tomorrow when it releases or request it from your library xoxo
July 24, 2026
There could have been more romance for a YA LGBTQ+ romance. By the halfway point, the two main characters weren't even speaking to each other. I honestly thought the romance was going to go in a completely different direction.
I didn't connect with Ivy. She definitely had a bit of a "woe is me" attitude about her.
I had hoped the treasure hunt would be historically deeper and have more emotional stakes to it.
I'm not sure if the parallels to National Treasure were intentionally trying to be self-aware or meta, or if it was just coincidental.
All in all, this was an engaging book to listen to, but I think it would have worked better with older protagonists and more focus on the romance between the main two, not serving their history in drips and drabs.
I didn't connect with Ivy. She definitely had a bit of a "woe is me" attitude about her.
I had hoped the treasure hunt would be historically deeper and have more emotional stakes to it.
I'm not sure if the parallels to National Treasure were intentionally trying to be self-aware or meta, or if it was just coincidental.
All in all, this was an engaging book to listen to, but I think it would have worked better with older protagonists and more focus on the romance between the main two, not serving their history in drips and drabs.
August 4, 2026
👦🏻 review: Honestly this is a cute YA LGBTQ romance with plenty of fun characters and simple plot to entertain readers. I thought their bantering, silly little humors, closeted “thoughtfulness and caring” for each other and their common goal of treasure and scavengers hunt to find the gold has been straight forward and funny. Those buried feelings and treasures woke the story up, like the means justifies the end. I must add that I have read some LGBTQ books in the past but I’ve never read about trans man and gay girl so I took more breaks reading this one. There’s always something new and as different this book is, it is equally entertaining to read and learn something about Cam and Ivy’s quirky personalities. Quite entertaining!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Buried Feelings brings LGBTQA+ representation and self discovery to the forefront in this beautiful story of two teenagers finding themselves and each other in the world. This story allows the reader to see a strong but insecure female character reflect on herself and her past. After taking time to see how she impacts the people around her she does something hard and rare in 2026, apologizes. This book is a wonderful example of reconciliation, growth, discovery and hope. I read this as an adult who wants to recommend summer books to students for recreational reading but enjoyed it more than I imagined I wood.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Delacorte Romance and Love Underlined for the free book and to PRH Audio for the free audiobook. These opinions are my own.
Cam and Ivy were best friends until Ivy came out as a lesbian. A while later Cam came out as trans. Now they are pulled back together in a scavenger hunt based on a Gay Treasures book.
I loved learning about queer history through this story. And the scavenger hunt was done incredibly well. I found so much about the characters' backstory and friend groups impressive.
However, there were some parts where I felt that Ivy was too immature. And at points, I felt that Cam's character wasn't as well developed as Ivy's.
I ended up finding this a great story, but it didn't quite live up to the promise that it could have for me.
E. A. Castillo narrated the audiobook. At times, I wanted a different narrator for some voices. In particular, the voicing of an Asian American character felt like it leaned too far into stereotype.
Cam and Ivy were best friends until Ivy came out as a lesbian. A while later Cam came out as trans. Now they are pulled back together in a scavenger hunt based on a Gay Treasures book.
I loved learning about queer history through this story. And the scavenger hunt was done incredibly well. I found so much about the characters' backstory and friend groups impressive.
However, there were some parts where I felt that Ivy was too immature. And at points, I felt that Cam's character wasn't as well developed as Ivy's.
I ended up finding this a great story, but it didn't quite live up to the promise that it could have for me.
E. A. Castillo narrated the audiobook. At times, I wanted a different narrator for some voices. In particular, the voicing of an Asian American character felt like it leaned too far into stereotype.
Review of advance copy received from Author
BURIED FEELINGS, a YA queer treasure hunt romance set in San Francisco, is truly a gem of a story.
While the treasure hunt plot is a super fun ride (think National Treasure for teens!), it's the deep dive into the city's queer history, the well-rounded cast of loveable characters, the journey of self-discovery for MC Ivy, and the sweet romance between Ivy and Cam that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. This book is great on so many levels, and I'm so glad I got a chance to read the ARC before it came out!
While the treasure hunt plot is a super fun ride (think National Treasure for teens!), it's the deep dive into the city's queer history, the well-rounded cast of loveable characters, the journey of self-discovery for MC Ivy, and the sweet romance between Ivy and Cam that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. This book is great on so many levels, and I'm so glad I got a chance to read the ARC before it came out!
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