Let's Talk About Love

November 13, 2017
College student Alice Johnston, 19, is in the closet—sort of. Her friends and family know that she is bisexual, but what they don’t know (and what Alice isn’t really ready to tell them) is that she’s also asexual. Alice is hurt when Margot, her roommate and girlfriend, breaks up with her, but she isn’t surprised. Giving up on love seems to be the best solution until Takumi enters the picture. Registering an unprecedented “black” rating on Alice’s “Cutie Code,” Takumi makes Alice’s heart beat faster than normal, and their developing friendship allows Alice to slowly begin to reveal things about herself, her friendship with Feenie and Ryan (her now-engaged best friends from high school), and her family. Debut novelist Kann thoughtfully tackles what it means to be asexual and gives Alice a platform to discover who she is and what it means for her relationship with Takumi. Asexual readers will appreciate the visibility, and those—like Alice’s ex—who know poorly understand it, will gain a better sense of what love without sex can look like. Ages 13–up.

Adenrele Ojo's narration has a natural buoyancy that transforms the ups and downs of 19-year-old Alice's dating life into a lively audio performance. Alice fully embraces--though she occasionally struggles with--her asexuality, and she isn't prepared when coming out as "ace" causes her girlfriend to split. So for Alice, this summer is all about her best friends and binge-watching her favorite TV shows until she meets her handsome new co-worker, Takumi. Ojo channels his cool, confident voice while expertly contrasting it with Alice's excitable and spirited tones. Emotions run high as romantic sparks fly, and Ojo's warm, powerful performance captures Alice's path to conquering her uncertainties surrounding identity, friendship, and romance with a spunk and wit as unforgettable as Alice herself. J.E.C. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine