Unnecessary Drama

July 3, 2023
Teens learning to trust again and discovering that drama is sometimes necessary for growth populate this sunny rom-com by Kenwood (It Sounded Better in My Head). Eighteen-year-old Brooke, a college freshman studying economics in Melbourne, is both excited and anxious to move into her “share house” with new dormmate Harper. As the two await their final roommate’s arrival, Harper, whose family owns the property, lays down the ground rules: “No pets; no romance between housemates; and no unnecessary drama.” Type A Brooke anticipates that following these rules will be a breeze, until she learns that her mystery roommate is Jesse, Brooke’s former high school friend who broke her heart when she was 14. To keep things civil, Brooke feigns friendliness in public and avoids Jesse at home, but the forced intimacy of their proximity erodes her long-held grudge. As the pair rehash old arguments, heal open wounds, and confide in each other about family conflict, Brooke finds herself falling back in love with the boy she swore to hate. Brooke’s high-intensity personality, amicable chatter, and hyper-independence propel the narrative through its believable and hilarious goings-on. Main characters cue as white. Ages 13–up.

July 19, 2022
Things are going well for Brooke. Fresh out of high school and going straight into university, she is determined to reinvent herself from the nerdy and awkward person she once was. No more unreliable and despondent father, or sister that drinks too often and too much, or well-meaning but sometimes overbearing mother. But life catches up to Brooke the moment she meets her new housemates, one of whom is her old friend turned enemy Jesse. Nina Kenwood’s Unnecessary Drama, much like her debut novel, It Sounded Better In My Head, has potential to connect with YA readers. It takes readers through the tumultuous uncertainty that exists on the cusp of transitioning out of high school into adulthood; exploring one’s identity and discovering where it fits into the world. Through first person perspective, Kenwood presents Brooke's anxiety in an intimate way, taking the reader into her spirals. For example, at the first party the share house hosts, we see how Brooke examines every action and reaction with endless 'what if' questions. However, at times the oversaturation and use of anxiety as a narrative device for Brooke’s characterisation takes away from the book's impact and means it leans more towards caricature, which is hard to connect to as a reader. Ultimately though, readers will still root for Brooke to overcome her insecurities and struggles. Bohdi Byles is a freelance reviewer with a background in bookselling, publishing and writing.