Book Review: Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle
Summary
Dani Ford knows what she wants: to finish her senior year of high school, submit her college applications, and move to New York.
With application deadlines quickly approaching, love is the least of Dani’s worries. She wants to become a famous author like Maya Angelou, and she knows exactly what she needs to do to make that happen.
Write a great college essay.
It seems simple enough until the memories of a traumatic experience make it difficult for Dani to write. Now, she struggles to do the one thing that once came so easily to her.
Enter Prince Jones. From the outside, he seems to have it all. He’s tall, social, and always knows exactly what to say. He even has a radio segment where he shares love advice with members of the community.
Prince wants to become a Radio DJ but knows that his responsibilities to his family may hold him back. On top of going to school and hosting the radio segment, Prince also takes care of his mother, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and his little brother.
When the two teens meet, there is an instant connection, but Dani is still skeptical about love and Prince’s intentions. She gives Prince three dates to win her over.
My Thoughts
After a four-month-long reading slump, I’m back with the completion of Love Radio by Ebony LaDelle.
I didn’t read the description of this book before starting, so I had no idea what I was in for. But this book was definitely a treat.
Love Radio manages to capture the budding romance of two Black teens while also addressing tough topics like mental health, caretaking, and trauma.
Prince and Dani’s struggles felt very real to me. I understood Dani’s hesitation towards love and her need to isolate herself. I empathized with Prince’s struggle to balance caretaking and his dreams.
I appreciated the references to Black culture throughout the book, and the roller skating scene took me back to my childhood.
LaDelle manages to tell a moving story that isn’t too heavy for the reader. She effortlessly depicts the fun of being a teen and some of the hardships that may also come along with growing up.
This book may be in the YA category, but the messages it depicts about love, friendship, and asking for help are things we can all benefit from.
