Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli (review)

Sixteen-year-old best friends Kate and Anderson have always shared everything: a love of musical theater, summers at drama camp, and even crushes on the same unattainable boys. Junior year looks set to change it all, though, as Andy gets into the cliquish senior drama class; worse yet, both fall hard for new guy Matt, and suddenly “communal crushes” don’t seem like such a good idea. When all the players are cast in that year’s school musical, relationship drama really takes center stage, leaving the longtime friends to wonder: can they grow apart without losing each other completely? Despite the rom-com trappings of the plot, friendship’s in the spotlight here, as Kate learns that being close doesn’t require codependence. Kate and Anderson’s friendship will quickly set relationship goals for readers, without overshadowing the sweetness of various romantic pairings. In between theater geek–friendly name-drops, chaotic play practices, party scenes, and reflective moments on friendship and family, Albertalli leaves plenty of room for personal growth, setting up feel-good, if predictable, happy endings all around. The racially diverse cast (Anderson is Black; Kate is white) is likewise inclusive of gender and sexuality, ultimately underscoring the story’s ideal that love is love is love, especially when that love is friendship.