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Here for a Good Time
A poignant coming-of-age YA featuring an Indigenous teen girl grappling with the effects of intergenerational trauma while navigating school, family and young love, by the bestselling author of Weird Rules to Follow.
It is 1990. Morgan has lived all her life in the small fishing town of Prince Rupert in northern British Columbia. Ever since her mom took off when she was ten, Morgan has kept an eye on her dad, a commercial fisherman who works hard and occasionally parties even harder. After struggling to keep up and find a place at a public high school, Morgan's best friend Skye convinces her to attend an alternate school.
There, she meets Nate. Both cute and intelligent, Nate introduces her to a wider worldview, including music, movies and books, and becomes a lifeline after an unimaginable tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, Morgan learns hard truths about her mother's painful past and the resulting intergenerational effects of that trauma, and as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, an unexpected development offers a chance of a fresh start, with love and forgiveness at its core.
It is 1990. Morgan has lived all her life in the small fishing town of Prince Rupert in northern British Columbia. Ever since her mom took off when she was ten, Morgan has kept an eye on her dad, a commercial fisherman who works hard and occasionally parties even harder. After struggling to keep up and find a place at a public high school, Morgan's best friend Skye convinces her to attend an alternate school.
There, she meets Nate. Both cute and intelligent, Nate introduces her to a wider worldview, including music, movies and books, and becomes a lifeline after an unimaginable tragedy strikes. In the aftermath, Morgan learns hard truths about her mother's painful past and the resulting intergenerational effects of that trauma, and as she struggles to come to terms with her new reality, an unexpected development offers a chance of a fresh start, with love and forgiveness at its core.
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First published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 9, 2025
This is a YA historical fiction novel set in...the 1990s. Please give me a moment while I hyperventilate over my my youth now being considered historical fiction fodder. The story follows a Canadian native girl named Morgan and spans her sophomore, junior, and (what would have been her) senior year. Morgan is a bright girl who has been failed by the system and whose family is still reeling from multiple generations of abuse in residential schools. While Morgan does grow and change, there is a frustrating sense that life just sort of happens TO her and she accepts her passive role without much objection. While Morgan's story appears to end on a happy note, the novel comes with a wide variety of trigger warnings including content associated with rape (non graphic and referred to only in the past tense), abortion, teen pregnancy, teen parents, wide spread alcohol abuse, drug use (primarily weed, but references to stronger drugs like acid and meth do appear), residential school trauma, parent death, sibling death, suicide (non graphic), high school dropout, relapse, and sexual abuse of children (including sexual abuse by religious leaders). These topics are dealt with in an age appropriate manner but are very present, as are multiple instances of characters who relapse following discussing their traumatic experiences. Students who traumatic histories MUST be provided with extra support if this book is assigned in a classroom.
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May 19, 2025"A poignant coming-of-age YA debut featuring an Indigenous teen girl grappling with the effects of intergenerational trauma while navigating school, family and young love"
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Morgan is an Indigenous teen living in the town of Prince Rupert in British Columbia, Canada, in the early 1990s. That’s a must to mention, because all of Kim Spencer’s books seem to be weirdly specific about depicting not a “general experience” of growing up Indigenous in Canada but a very precisely localized one, bound to this coastal town, in which life is very much structured around ocean fishing. So is Morgan’s father, like her grandfather before him, a fisher, as are the families of some of Morgan’s friends and schoolmates.
Fishing actually allows them quite a comfortable standard of living — which I would like to emphasize in light of the following: there is a tendency in many portrayals to conflate dysfunctional family dynamics with socioeconomic circumstances, especially when writing about Indigenous people ("The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is obviously the first thing that comes to mind) and other marginalized minorities. Instead, Spencer explores here the intergenerational trauma of residential schools in Canada, to which Indigenous children were removed from their families and cultures and brought up in abusive environments. The book shows how, despite this obviously not being true for Morgan herself, it is true for a few of her relatives (I’ll be vague, as this is something gradually discovered over the course of the story), and how their trauma leads to further traumatizing seemingly unaffected people, like Morgan.
I believe this is a very important thing to thematize in fiction: both the aspect of colonial violence and the aspect of intergenerational consequences that linger on. At the same time, I didn’t feel that this story works to its full potential from a narrative point of view. As a few other reviewers mentioned, the choice to tell events spanning several years in disjointed snippets made it harder to connect to the protagonist. Something else mentioned in reviews, which I also felt — that it seems as if life simply happens to Morgan, without many deliberate decisions on her part — might actually be a result of organizing the story in snippets. Between the moments when we see her, there may have been a lot of decision-making, but the reader only sees the outcome: “okay, what else happened to Morgan in the meantime?” I would have liked to see more introspection about, for example, what actually made it so hard for her to stay in the conventional school system and why the alternative school made a difference—other than the fact that she meets a significant person there.
I still recommend it, with these reservations. And I am far from done with this author; I already added myself to the queue for a library copy of her middle-grade duology about another Indigenous (pre-)teen growing up in Prince Rupert.
3.5 stars.
Publication date: March 10, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.
Fishing actually allows them quite a comfortable standard of living — which I would like to emphasize in light of the following: there is a tendency in many portrayals to conflate dysfunctional family dynamics with socioeconomic circumstances, especially when writing about Indigenous people ("The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is obviously the first thing that comes to mind) and other marginalized minorities. Instead, Spencer explores here the intergenerational trauma of residential schools in Canada, to which Indigenous children were removed from their families and cultures and brought up in abusive environments. The book shows how, despite this obviously not being true for Morgan herself, it is true for a few of her relatives (I’ll be vague, as this is something gradually discovered over the course of the story), and how their trauma leads to further traumatizing seemingly unaffected people, like Morgan.
I believe this is a very important thing to thematize in fiction: both the aspect of colonial violence and the aspect of intergenerational consequences that linger on. At the same time, I didn’t feel that this story works to its full potential from a narrative point of view. As a few other reviewers mentioned, the choice to tell events spanning several years in disjointed snippets made it harder to connect to the protagonist. Something else mentioned in reviews, which I also felt — that it seems as if life simply happens to Morgan, without many deliberate decisions on her part — might actually be a result of organizing the story in snippets. Between the moments when we see her, there may have been a lot of decision-making, but the reader only sees the outcome: “okay, what else happened to Morgan in the meantime?” I would have liked to see more introspection about, for example, what actually made it so hard for her to stay in the conventional school system and why the alternative school made a difference—other than the fact that she meets a significant person there.
I still recommend it, with these reservations. And I am far from done with this author; I already added myself to the queue for a library copy of her middle-grade duology about another Indigenous (pre-)teen growing up in Prince Rupert.
3.5 stars.
Publication date: March 10, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.
March 11, 2026
Thanks to LibroFM for the gifted ALC - all opinions are my own.
This is a YA coming-of-age tale following an Indigenous teen girl in British Colombia as she grapples with relationships, identity, and tragedy.
We follow Morgan, the daughter of a mother who fled and a hard-working fisherman father. Morgan struggles with traditional public school and decides to attend an alternate school where she meets Nate. She’s beginning to find happiness with him when tragedy strikes. On her path to healing, Morgan learns the hard truths of her mother’s past and how that familiar trauma has manifested for many generations.
This was a lovely tale of resilience and self discovery. Morgan was a great character, though her decisions were questionable. She’s figuring things out, as teens will do, when the unimaginable happens and I can hardly fault her for coping. The commentary on the treatment of the Indigenous population in British Columbia, both its sordid history and the modern variations of bigotry, was poignant and sensitively handled.
This story carries impactful messages for a teenage audience but there is nonetheless a lack of depth to the themes. That’s not to say the story needed to be heavier, the impact was just stunted by the lack of real life consequences. I would have loved to see more growth from our main character and I felt the ending to lean a little too optimistic.
All told, this was a wonderful story that just needed to commit a bit more. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elle Jackson. It was well paced and a quick, engaging listen.
I recommend for fans of YA fiction, intergenerational trauma, and fishing communities.
This is a YA coming-of-age tale following an Indigenous teen girl in British Colombia as she grapples with relationships, identity, and tragedy.
We follow Morgan, the daughter of a mother who fled and a hard-working fisherman father. Morgan struggles with traditional public school and decides to attend an alternate school where she meets Nate. She’s beginning to find happiness with him when tragedy strikes. On her path to healing, Morgan learns the hard truths of her mother’s past and how that familiar trauma has manifested for many generations.
This was a lovely tale of resilience and self discovery. Morgan was a great character, though her decisions were questionable. She’s figuring things out, as teens will do, when the unimaginable happens and I can hardly fault her for coping. The commentary on the treatment of the Indigenous population in British Columbia, both its sordid history and the modern variations of bigotry, was poignant and sensitively handled.
This story carries impactful messages for a teenage audience but there is nonetheless a lack of depth to the themes. That’s not to say the story needed to be heavier, the impact was just stunted by the lack of real life consequences. I would have loved to see more growth from our main character and I felt the ending to lean a little too optimistic.
All told, this was a wonderful story that just needed to commit a bit more. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Elle Jackson. It was well paced and a quick, engaging listen.
I recommend for fans of YA fiction, intergenerational trauma, and fishing communities.
December 3, 2025
Thank you, Tundra Book Group | Swift Water Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book honestly! I am apart of the Penguin Teen Ca Influencer program but all my opinions are my own!
4.25 stars
This is an effortless read!
I literally read this book in 1 hour and I think a lot of people with enjoy this book.
Set in the 90's we follow Morgan's life as they show us their day to day life, glimpses into the lives of their family & those around them, all different but all impactful - whether good or bad.
We see the underlining trauma lingering in the air over their friend Skye & their mother and how it can shape & affect your life.
It also touched on residential schools and the fact that those hellish places destroyed and took many lives, whether at the school or in the aftereffects of life after the school.
We touched on a lot of subjects: teen pregnancy, abortion, residential schools, rape, young parent life, trauma, abuse & loss and I think they were all done in a soft manner. It didn't go deep into the topics but enough that you felt the pain.
4.25 stars
This is an effortless read!
I literally read this book in 1 hour and I think a lot of people with enjoy this book.
Set in the 90's we follow Morgan's life as they show us their day to day life, glimpses into the lives of their family & those around them, all different but all impactful - whether good or bad.
We see the underlining trauma lingering in the air over their friend Skye & their mother and how it can shape & affect your life.
It also touched on residential schools and the fact that those hellish places destroyed and took many lives, whether at the school or in the aftereffects of life after the school.
We touched on a lot of subjects: teen pregnancy, abortion, residential schools, rape, young parent life, trauma, abuse & loss and I think they were all done in a soft manner. It didn't go deep into the topics but enough that you felt the pain.
November 16, 2025
Here for a Good Time is essentially the diary of Morgan, a Tsimshian teen in 1991 navigating everyday highs and lows-- just a few of them being complex friendships, young love, and grief that spans her everyday life as well as the intergenerational trauma that comes with some of her family members being Indian Boarding School survivors. Spencer's writing style has consistently been like momentary vignettes, a bit sparse while expressing pivotal moments and memories; her characters are engaging and the way they interact and live feel so relatable in a way that keeps you invested, wanting to know more about Morgan's family and friends. After the last page, I'm still wondering more about where her life will take her. Reminiscent of Jacqueline Woodson in regards to how her writing is simple and accessible, but super emotionally effective and feels pulled straight from real life. Kim Spencer has definitely become an auto-read author for me.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Morgan’s life in 1990s Prince Rupert, BC, revolves around those who fish, like her dad and grandpa, and her native community. It’s been years since Morgan’s mom slid into alcoholism which led to her living on the streets of Vancouver, but Morgan’s grandparents are nearby and help support Morgan even as she struggles in school and finds an alternative high school that fits her learning needs. There she meets Nate and their friendship is a constant through the ups and downs of her BFF, Skye, and Morgan’s dad’s death in a fishing accident. Mostly unacknowledged is the undercurrent of damage caused by the residential schools - grandma was forced to attend as was Morgan’s mom. When Nate and Morgan become pregnant, it feels even more urgent for Morgan to understand how the memory of the schools continues to impact the Native community. Short, punchy chapters and a fast-paced story. Earc from Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kim Spencer perfectly captures what it means to live in a small community in tone that is whimsical, yet also pensive.
Living so close to Prince Rupert, I felt a sense of nostalgia and excitement when I recognized the many places Morgan comes across throughout her journey.
The short chapters share a lot about Morgan’s life without the fluff. Spencer shares all that she needs to share for you to understand Morgan, and not a drop more—and I LOVE it. The pace not only kept my attention, but left space for introspection.
Spencer wrote about grief in a way that felt so raw. As someone who lost a parent as a teenager, the motions Morgan went through were ones I’ve gone through myself.
This was a a beautiful story about survival, grief, love, and trauma that taught me so, very much. Thank you Swift Water Books and Penguin Random House for the Advance Reader’s Copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - A short and stunning read.
Living so close to Prince Rupert, I felt a sense of nostalgia and excitement when I recognized the many places Morgan comes across throughout her journey.
The short chapters share a lot about Morgan’s life without the fluff. Spencer shares all that she needs to share for you to understand Morgan, and not a drop more—and I LOVE it. The pace not only kept my attention, but left space for introspection.
Spencer wrote about grief in a way that felt so raw. As someone who lost a parent as a teenager, the motions Morgan went through were ones I’ve gone through myself.
This was a a beautiful story about survival, grief, love, and trauma that taught me so, very much. Thank you Swift Water Books and Penguin Random House for the Advance Reader’s Copy!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - A short and stunning read.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to @libro.fm and the publisher for allowing me to listen to an ALC of this YA novel. Titled after her Dad's favorite song, this book follows Morgan, an Indigenous teen from Canada as she tries to navigate life's many obstacles. Drinking, drug use, sexual abuse, loss due to abandonment and death, teen pregnancy, and intergenerational trauma from residential schools are all issues that are explored in this novel in verse.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A heartfelt historical YA novel set in 1990s BC that follows one Indigenous teen as she navigates high school, falls in love, loses a parent and is reunited with another. It tackles some tough topics from Residential School trauma, rape (off page), addiction, accidental pregnancy and grief. It was good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jen Ferguson. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
March 10, 2026
This story fell a little flat for me after reading Firekeeper's Daughter. I wanted the native language woven into this story. While it does weave the story of the struggle of the indigenous people and showcases the fishing community and their ties to the water.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
gorgeously effective book about a hyperlocalized indigenous experience with fantastic characters and timejumps that work well. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3 stars = I liked it
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Although classified as historical fiction, Spencer—a member of the Gitxaala Nation herself—writes with poignant accuracy, tactfully balancing the turbulence of teenage life, from fake IDs to bad boyfriends, with the enduring impact of intergenerational trauma shaped by Canada’s residential school system. Despite the sparse sentences and short vignette-like scenes, Here for a Good Time delivers an emotional, impactful story that spotlights Indigenous resilience. Spencer opens the novel with a brief heavy content warning, but doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult issues, including racism, alcoholism, and sexual assault. These honest portrayals have the power to be incredibly important for younger readers, providing a window into aspects of Indigenous life, culture, and tragic systemic abuse that are seldom represented by our history books.
Review of advance copy
Set in 1990's Prince Rupert, BC, Morgan is an indigenous teenager who is attempting to navigate everyday life. Drinking with friends at parties, attending alternative high school, an absent mother, intergenerational trauma of residential schools, and figuring out boys.
When tragedy strikes Morgan is sent on a tail spin. Through a journey of healing and forgiveness, it is the love around her that beings her to a fresh start at life.
When I got my hands on an advanced reader copy, I couldn't put it down. It reads as if you're sitting down with Morgan and she's telling you her story. I finished it in less than 24 hours.
Publication date: March 10, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
The opinion above is entirely my own.
When tragedy strikes Morgan is sent on a tail spin. Through a journey of healing and forgiveness, it is the love around her that beings her to a fresh start at life.
When I got my hands on an advanced reader copy, I couldn't put it down. It reads as if you're sitting down with Morgan and she's telling you her story. I finished it in less than 24 hours.
Publication date: March 10, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
The opinion above is entirely my own.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews