Puppy love. First kisses. That magical feeling of realizing you’ve fallen for your best friend 💕. This is exactly the journey Reverse takes you on. Reading this book instantly brought me back to my very first crush—the way I’d talk about him with friends between classes, sit with him at lunch, and secretly carry feelings stronger than anything I’d ever felt before. That’s the same kind of innocent, powerful love Rian N. Jenkins captures with her main characters, Monica James (MJ) and Donovan Brown (D).
Set in the early ’90s, this middle school story perfectly shows how different teen life was back then compared to today 📼✨. MJ and D have known each other since childhood—their families are close (MJ’s dad is even D’s godfather). But when tween feelings start to shift into something more, things get complicated. D has a crush on MJ, but taking that risk could change everything. Who’s going to step up? Who’s going to hold back? And most importantly, will they risk their friendship for love? (👀 Nope, I’m not spoiling it—you’ll have to READ the book to find out!)
While reading, I couldn’t stop hearing Mario’s “Just a Friend” playing in my head 🎶. I was torn—part of me wanted MJ and D to give love a try, but another part wanted them to hold on to the innocence of their friendship. That’s the beauty of this story: it reflects the real tug-of-war so many teens feel when friendship and love collide.
What makes Reverse so special is that it’s not just a romance—it’s also a blueprint for middle schoolers who may be facing these same feelings today. It shows that they’re not alone, that parents may overreact sometimes but usually mean well, and that those confusing emotions are part of growing up 🌱.
I would recommend this novel for ages 10–14, and honestly, it deserves a place in every middle school library 📚. In a time when so many books are being banned, Reverse feels like a safe, heartfelt choice that still speaks to the real experiences of young readers.
Reviewed by Patrice "SCBookGal" Grimball
To purchase your own copu of Reverse, head over to Amazon or https://riannjenkins.com/.
🔥 Meet the author behind the pages! Click below to watch Rian Jenkins’ interview with SCBookGal & Friends and hear her story firsthand.
SCBooKGal & Friends Chats with Rian Jenkins
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