The Frenemy Zone

October 17, 2022
High school senior Olly Smith-Nakamura isn’t thrilled when her grandfather’s death prompts her fathers to uproot their family, moving from the Bay Area to Frog Wallow, W.Va., to take over the family business. As an openly lesbian wrestler with one Black and one Japanese American father, she contends with casual racism and homophobia in the mostly white, conservative town. Her goal is to survive until graduation and move on without attachments; that is, until she meets white-cued Ariel Hall, the mayor’s closeted lesbian daughter. Constantly worried about her image because of her PR-focused mom, Ariel battles feelings of loneliness, especially when her best friend rejects her romantic advances. Though Olly and Ariel initially butt heads, their animosity eventually thaws into tentative friendship. But if either of them hopes for more, they must shed their preconceived notions about each other, the people around them, and their futures. Emphatic writing by Wallace (Heart of a Killer, for adults) capably builds tension; the characters’ intensely felt hopes and fears, and their struggles navigating interpersonal and external obstacles, make for a pensive read. A subplot involving sexual violence is sensitively explored. Ages 13–up.

October 15, 2022
A fun, thoughtful small-town tale of teen romance and family connection. Olly Smith-Nakamura has just moved from the Bay Area to Frog Wallow, West Virginia, where one of her fathers grew up. She's going through a lot, having recently experienced a breakup with her girlfriend and lost her Grandpa George. Adjusting to Appalachia after living in California is difficult; she understands it makes financial sense to take over Grandpa George's hardware store since Dad lost his job and Papa had to close his restaurant, but her life back home seemed much better. In Frog Wallow, Olly stands out just by virtue of being biracial and having two dads; Papa, her biological father, is Japanese American, and her African American biological mother is Dad's sister. Olly is also a lesbian. Things take an interesting turn when Olly meets competitive Ariel, nicknamed Miss Perfect, who in truth wants out from her ultracontrolled life. The two initially clash but later find out they have more in common than anticipated. Unfolding in a world in which Covid is still present but the early pandemic lockdowns are over, Olly's growth is strongly supported by her family as she embraces her African American roots. While the book is at times slow paced and generous on the telling rather than showing, it's an enjoyable read that explores a queer romance in a rural setting. A coming-of-age story with a rich cast of interesting characters. (Romance. 13-18)

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