Review: Kate in Waiting

Title: Kate In Waiting

Author: Becky Albertalli

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication date: April 20, 2021

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Summary

Kate Garfield and Anderson Walker are pretty inseparable. They always carpool to theater rehearsals, share everything about their lives. It’s been this way ever since they can remember. They even share crushes. After all, it’s more fun to have a crush on someone with your best friend, right?

That’s what Kate thought, until their latest crush ends up at their school. Matt Olsson is cute and talented and sweet. Kate is head over heels for him. The problem? So is Anderson. They promise that their feelings won’t get in the way of their friendship. Maybe the communal crush thing isn’t quite as fun when it could become real for either party involved. Will Kate and Anderson’s relationship survive their latest crush?

Review: Kate in Waiting

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me an advanced copy of this to review! I love Becky Albertalli, and this is one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I am happy to say that it definitely lived up to the hype!

Right from the start, we get Albertalli’s signature lovable characters. I immediately fell in love with Kate and Anderson and their little, diverse squad. Not only do we have Jewish main characters, Kate and Anderson (who is also Black), but also a trans character and other gay characters. Just like in Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, this is a squad you’ll fall in love with and their love for theater. It’s honestly contagious.

What I also loved about this was Kate’s journey in finding confidence in herself. At the beginning of the book, she’s content to stay in the background. But through her friends and their support, she realizes that she is pretty awesome. Everyone deserves friends like that. Even though the plot points were slightly predictable, I didn’t care because I loved reading about these characters.

Finally, I loved the importance that Albertalli places on platonic love. I don’t feel like that’s ever emphasized enough in rom-coms, but it’s front and center in this book. Platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones, and this romance gives equal importance to both. Next to the characters, that’s probably my favorite thing about this book.

All in all, this will hit home with theater nerds everywhere. If you’re looking for a love story focused on friendship, this is the book for you!

4.5/5 stars