Book: Spikes, Dice, & Other Variables by Harper Kinsley
Reviewed by Maggie Hayes
Rating: 4/5
Spikes, Dice, & Other Variables by Harper Kinsley
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
This sweet coming-of-age story focuses on identity and friendship first, with a romance side quest. I'm a HUGE fan of coming-of-age stories, so this was right up my alley.
Riley is an excellent protagonist because she's just a girl trying to do her best, like so many of us. She knows she loves volleyball, hates math, and that the thought of doing anything more than kissing makes her feel like she's going to vomit (literally). She's an amazing friend—outspoken, loud, and proud—and a one-woman hype team for her BFF Adri. And she has the makings of a great girlfriend, caring more about Simon's personality and huge heart than the fact that he isn't conventionally attractive.
I thought Riley's feelings around romantic intimacy and her exploration of what it means to be asexual were handled with extreme care and respect. I especially love that when she comes out to her queer friends, they aren't immediately experts in asexuality simply because they're queer. The conversations around societal expectations for teenagers and dating are important to portray in media because so many teens question whether they're "normal" and struggle to feel like they belong.
I also really loved how Riley's undiagnosed ADHD was portrayed. Her struggles with school, her coping mechanisms, and the positive ways her energy contributes to her personality all felt incredibly authentic. As a parent, I was frustrated with the adults who should have been in her corner, getting her evaluated so she could receive the accommodations she needed. But that was also realistic because, having worked in schools, I've seen how many kids aren't getting the services they need.
And Simon? What a total sweetheart cinnamon roll. He's so patient and kind to Riley when she needs help with math. He doesn't let her put herself down, acting as her biggest cheerleader both in math and volleyball. I love that he isn't afraid to be himself, running what some might consider a dorky tabletop gaming club at school and letting his math-nerd flag fly. He's an excellent match for Riley, letting everything move at her pace and genuinely understanding her.
The sibling relationships are real standouts, too. Riley and her older brother Brennan have excellent banter and plenty of touching emotional moments. It's such a refreshing change from the numerous contentious relationships between the put-together older sibling and the struggling younger sibling. And Simon and Ellie gave me such warm fuzzies. The way he collects jokes for her is adorable.
I hope this is the start of a series because I want more of Riley and Simon's friends. Cooper especially stands out to me, and I'd love to know more about his life.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC!