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Thirsty
It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.
As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut.
But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.
As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut.
But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2024
About the author
Jas Hammonds
2 books527 followersJas Hammonds (they/she) was raised in many cities and between the pages of many books. They have received support for their writing from the Highlights Foundation, Baldwin for the Arts and more. They are also a grateful recipient of the MacDowell James Baldwin Fellowship. Their debut novel, We Deserve Monuments, won the 2023 Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She lives in New Jersey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
April 9, 2024
The first chapter is a mishmash of thoughts of biracial, lesbian, party girl Blake, aka Big Bad Bee, and immediately, a band tightened around my chest. Jas Hammonds's story pulled at me like a magnet and didn’t let go until the end.
Drinking. It’s so normal. Partying and getting drunk and maybe getting reckless. Or careless. To let go. The peer pressure can be enormous. Because you can’t be funny when you don’t drink, right? But it’s not only the people around us who force us to drink. What if we only find the courage when we drink? What if we drink because we only then become a funnier and bolder person? Or what if we only drink because we think other people will like us more? That’s what this book is about.
I know about the pressure. I never liked alcohol but drank because other people expected me to. And I didn’t want to be the odd one out. After my second kid was born, I never started again. It just happened, and now I haven’t drunk for years. Sometimes I take a sip. And immediately know why I don’t like alcohol. I just don’t like the taste and the smell. And still, people frown when I tell them.
Thirsty is a harsh story. But also a hopeful one. Blake falls hard. She’s not a happy drunk. She drowns. She wants to belong. And almost destroys herself. But in the end, she also pushes herself up to the surface. And starts breathing again. For herself. No one else.
I believe Thirsty is an important book. For teens to know they can choose their own path. But also for adults. We all can feel that pressure to belong. If we just respected everyone’s choices and saw the beauty in our differences. If we just saw the beauty in ourselves …
Thank you so much, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!
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Drinking. It’s so normal. Partying and getting drunk and maybe getting reckless. Or careless. To let go. The peer pressure can be enormous. Because you can’t be funny when you don’t drink, right? But it’s not only the people around us who force us to drink. What if we only find the courage when we drink? What if we drink because we only then become a funnier and bolder person? Or what if we only drink because we think other people will like us more? That’s what this book is about.
I know about the pressure. I never liked alcohol but drank because other people expected me to. And I didn’t want to be the odd one out. After my second kid was born, I never started again. It just happened, and now I haven’t drunk for years. Sometimes I take a sip. And immediately know why I don’t like alcohol. I just don’t like the taste and the smell. And still, people frown when I tell them.
Thirsty is a harsh story. But also a hopeful one. Blake falls hard. She’s not a happy drunk. She drowns. She wants to belong. And almost destroys herself. But in the end, she also pushes herself up to the surface. And starts breathing again. For herself. No one else.
I believe Thirsty is an important book. For teens to know they can choose their own path. But also for adults. We all can feel that pressure to belong. If we just respected everyone’s choices and saw the beauty in our differences. If we just saw the beauty in ourselves …
Thank you so much, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley, for this wonderful ARC!
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May 13, 2024
Man, Thirsty was an excellent and, at times, uncomfortable read. The story follows Blake Brenner during the summer between her senior year of high school and first year of college. Her, her girlfriend Ella, and best friend Annetta are all spending the summer trying to get chosen to be part of the Serena Society, an exclusive society for women of color at their college. But all the parties are starting to show just how out of control Blake’s drinking has gotten.
Blake felt like such a fully formed character. It’s so easy to understand why she feels a bit out of step with her friends and their social circle. She isn’t wealthy like Ella, Annetta, and most of the society girls. She’s biracial and her white mom has never tried to understand Blake’s experiences with race. She’s a lesbian, but her parents didn’t seem super happy or supportive when she came out. So she drinks… a lot. To make herself feel like she fits in more, to make herself Big Bad Bee, the life of the party. But she can’t seem to ever drink in moderation, she blacks out, spirals into negative thinking about herself, and most people don’t notice or don’t care.
This book really tugged at my heartstrings. It’s so hard to watch Blake continue to make bad decisions around alcohol. But I could always see and understand her thought process. It’s frustrating, but also still understandable why some of the people in her circle don’t think she has a problem since “everyone drinks” or “everyone gets wild at parties” and thoughts like that. I think that’s why it can be so difficult for some people to realize they have a problem when binge drinking is so normalized for high school and college students.
It’s really gratifying to see where Blake ends up at the close of the book with the different conversations she starts having with her friends, girlfriend, and family members. This book isn’t always an easy read, but I definitely encourage people to check it out for a unique coming of age story. It never felt like an “issue book” that was only concerned with tackling Blake’s problem with alcohol, it was an extremely well rounded story that touched on all different aspects of her life.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blake felt like such a fully formed character. It’s so easy to understand why she feels a bit out of step with her friends and their social circle. She isn’t wealthy like Ella, Annetta, and most of the society girls. She’s biracial and her white mom has never tried to understand Blake’s experiences with race. She’s a lesbian, but her parents didn’t seem super happy or supportive when she came out. So she drinks… a lot. To make herself feel like she fits in more, to make herself Big Bad Bee, the life of the party. But she can’t seem to ever drink in moderation, she blacks out, spirals into negative thinking about herself, and most people don’t notice or don’t care.
This book really tugged at my heartstrings. It’s so hard to watch Blake continue to make bad decisions around alcohol. But I could always see and understand her thought process. It’s frustrating, but also still understandable why some of the people in her circle don’t think she has a problem since “everyone drinks” or “everyone gets wild at parties” and thoughts like that. I think that’s why it can be so difficult for some people to realize they have a problem when binge drinking is so normalized for high school and college students.
It’s really gratifying to see where Blake ends up at the close of the book with the different conversations she starts having with her friends, girlfriend, and family members. This book isn’t always an easy read, but I definitely encourage people to check it out for a unique coming of age story. It never felt like an “issue book” that was only concerned with tackling Blake’s problem with alcohol, it was an extremely well rounded story that touched on all different aspects of her life.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2024
Blake Brenner is a nice and normal 18-year-old with big plans for her future. She and her girlfriend, Ella are college bound and hope to join the Serena Society to ensure their future goals come to fruition. The biggest thing standing in their way is Blake’s drinking. See, when Blake drinks, she turns into “Big Bad B “a good time, girl who has zero self-control.
Big Bad B hurts people and leaves Blake to clean up the mess. But there are a lot of messes you can’t work on until you realize you’re an alcoholic. Blake thinks she needs the alcohol in order to function in social settings. Some of her friends actually encourage it where as other friends are trying to get her to realize she has a problem.
This book can really help teenagers and young adults recognize that they have a problem with alcohol abuse. It’s well written and a pretty accurate portrayal of teenagers who drink to excess.
Big Bad B hurts people and leaves Blake to clean up the mess. But there are a lot of messes you can’t work on until you realize you’re an alcoholic. Blake thinks she needs the alcohol in order to function in social settings. Some of her friends actually encourage it where as other friends are trying to get her to realize she has a problem.
This book can really help teenagers and young adults recognize that they have a problem with alcohol abuse. It’s well written and a pretty accurate portrayal of teenagers who drink to excess.
May 14, 2024
4.75 stars!
Told over the summer before freshman year of college, Thirsty tells the story of Blake Brenner's experience pledging an exclusive sorority, her relationships with family, friends and dating PLUS alcoholism.
There are many themes in the book that stood out to me, but the most impactful to me was:
- How Blake navigates being a biracial woman with a white mother.
- The lifestyle that promotes alcohol as a way to "be the life of the party", especially for young people.
- Her young experiences of love and exploring one's sexuality.
- Friendships and the impact they can have on our behaviors (good & bad) and the desire to please those we love.
All of these elements had me completely engrossed in the story. The character development felt realistic, raw and impressive. This would make an excellent choice for book club or a buddy read because you HAVE to discuss this book over a cup of tea!
I'm quickly becoming a fan of ALL things written by Jas! They have mastered the voice of a young generation and their sophomore book has solidified them as an author to pay attention to. I absolutely LOVED We Deserve Monuments and have recommended the book countless times - so I know that Thirsty has joined the ranks of books to recommend over & over again.
A special thanks to the author, Jas Hammonds & Roaring Press for and advanced reader's copy of this book.
Told over the summer before freshman year of college, Thirsty tells the story of Blake Brenner's experience pledging an exclusive sorority, her relationships with family, friends and dating PLUS alcoholism.
There are many themes in the book that stood out to me, but the most impactful to me was:
- How Blake navigates being a biracial woman with a white mother.
- The lifestyle that promotes alcohol as a way to "be the life of the party", especially for young people.
- Her young experiences of love and exploring one's sexuality.
- Friendships and the impact they can have on our behaviors (good & bad) and the desire to please those we love.
All of these elements had me completely engrossed in the story. The character development felt realistic, raw and impressive. This would make an excellent choice for book club or a buddy read because you HAVE to discuss this book over a cup of tea!
I'm quickly becoming a fan of ALL things written by Jas! They have mastered the voice of a young generation and their sophomore book has solidified them as an author to pay attention to. I absolutely LOVED We Deserve Monuments and have recommended the book countless times - so I know that Thirsty has joined the ranks of books to recommend over & over again.
A special thanks to the author, Jas Hammonds & Roaring Press for and advanced reader's copy of this book.
May 17, 2024
I loved We Deserve Monuments so I knew I was going to need to read this one. While the tone of this book is very different the relationships between the characters are so real and live I was drawn into the story. I will say with this book I didn’t love the main character. She was hard to like, but that fit with the themes the book was trying to examine. This book tackled teenage alcoholism, toxic relationships, racism, and gender identity. Blake and her girlfriend Ella have one goal for the summer: get into the exclusive Serena Society. Ella doesn’t have much to worry about her mother is a part of the society of trailblazing women of color, but Blake has a lot more to prove. Luckily for Blake she finds courage in the bottom of the bottle and when she drinks she feels like the life of the party. But not everyone sees the life of the party in her when she drinks and her best friend expresses concern and as much as Blake brushes it off her drinking starts to leak into every part of her life. This book was beautifully written. I loved the diversity that was present in this book.
May 9, 2024
Very well written! The harder topics were handled with grace and care. It's a very relatable book. I think this could make a good book for high schools since it brings a good conversation about, toxic relationships and addiction. I enjoyed the characters (other than the ones were meant to dislike iykyk). They were all very well developed and felt relatable. I was hooked from the first chapter, the book is very fast paced with an easy to follow plot. I need to check out 'We Deserve Monuments'. The Narrator was fantastic I really liked their voice. Side note S/O to the stunning cover for this book.
This book will be triggering for some people so please read the full trigger list before reading!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advance listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book will be triggering for some people so please read the full trigger list before reading!
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advance listening copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
May 13, 2024
Got an arc from libro.fm 4.5/5
Oh this was so good. This one didn’t resonate quite as hard with me as WDM because aspects of that one’s subject matter hit home a little harder at the time of reading, but this one was heartbreaking in a good way, I root for Blake and I feel for her and I wanted to see her succeed.
And then there’s some lines, like the one about wishing you’d known the person you love when you were kids so maybe you wouldn’t have felt so alone, or she one about how the people who hurt you don’t even remember the things they say that haunt you for years, those I felt SEEN in those parts
Oh this was so good. This one didn’t resonate quite as hard with me as WDM because aspects of that one’s subject matter hit home a little harder at the time of reading, but this one was heartbreaking in a good way, I root for Blake and I feel for her and I wanted to see her succeed.
And then there’s some lines, like the one about wishing you’d known the person you love when you were kids so maybe you wouldn’t have felt so alone, or she one about how the people who hurt you don’t even remember the things they say that haunt you for years, those I felt SEEN in those parts
July 27, 2024
4.5 stars
Messy, painful, hopeful, and beautifully bittersweet, Thirsty is a very mature YA contemporary full of high class secret society toxicity, queerness, race and cultural identity issues, and authentic mental health struggles; think Élite or Euphoria, just in book form.
After loving We Deserve Monuments, I had a feeling that Jas Hammonds could become a new favourite author of mine, and Thirsty absolutely solidified that. While I can enjoy YA contemporary from time to time, there are very few books that truly stand out from the crowd and have a long lasting impact on me, but Hammonds' works absolutely belong in that rare category.
Something about her writing style just sings to my soul and pulls on my heartstrings, which is exactly why I get so deeply emotionally invested, for better or worse. Blake immediately captured my heart on the very first page, and I loved getting sucked up in her whirlwind of conflicting emotions through her intimate and unfiltered first person narration. Her mental health struggles, particularly around her identity as a biracial girl and her alcohol abuse, were frighteningly well written, and I loved how her journey towards healing was just so is authentically and realistically messy and flawed; the self-sabotaging, the back and forth, the grief over losing your safe escape... I felt it all so deeply.
Moreover, the interpersonal relationships in this story absolutely shine. From the complicated family dynamics, to the passionate yet unhealthy romances, and to the extremely strong (female) friendships (Netty is the true MVP). Everyone in this book makes horrible mistakes that either hurt themselves or others, sometimes accidentally and sometimes not, but by the end I feel like everyone got exactly what they deserved; the message of letting go of things that hold you back from living as your own authentic self, no matter how painful it might be in the moment, was just so incredibly inspiring and powerful.
Thirsty can defnitely be a bit of a confronting and uncomfortable read at times, but it also has a ton of heart, and that is exactly what makes it such an important and impactful story. If you are looking for an authentic and mature YA contemporary novel that will have you crying tears of pain, joy, sorrow, and catharsis along the way, then I can't recommend Thirsty highly enough.
Messy, painful, hopeful, and beautifully bittersweet, Thirsty is a very mature YA contemporary full of high class secret society toxicity, queerness, race and cultural identity issues, and authentic mental health struggles; think Élite or Euphoria, just in book form.
After loving We Deserve Monuments, I had a feeling that Jas Hammonds could become a new favourite author of mine, and Thirsty absolutely solidified that. While I can enjoy YA contemporary from time to time, there are very few books that truly stand out from the crowd and have a long lasting impact on me, but Hammonds' works absolutely belong in that rare category.
Something about her writing style just sings to my soul and pulls on my heartstrings, which is exactly why I get so deeply emotionally invested, for better or worse. Blake immediately captured my heart on the very first page, and I loved getting sucked up in her whirlwind of conflicting emotions through her intimate and unfiltered first person narration. Her mental health struggles, particularly around her identity as a biracial girl and her alcohol abuse, were frighteningly well written, and I loved how her journey towards healing was just so is authentically and realistically messy and flawed; the self-sabotaging, the back and forth, the grief over losing your safe escape... I felt it all so deeply.
Moreover, the interpersonal relationships in this story absolutely shine. From the complicated family dynamics, to the passionate yet unhealthy romances, and to the extremely strong (female) friendships (Netty is the true MVP). Everyone in this book makes horrible mistakes that either hurt themselves or others, sometimes accidentally and sometimes not, but by the end I feel like everyone got exactly what they deserved; the message of letting go of things that hold you back from living as your own authentic self, no matter how painful it might be in the moment, was just so incredibly inspiring and powerful.
Thirsty can defnitely be a bit of a confronting and uncomfortable read at times, but it also has a ton of heart, and that is exactly what makes it such an important and impactful story. If you are looking for an authentic and mature YA contemporary novel that will have you crying tears of pain, joy, sorrow, and catharsis along the way, then I can't recommend Thirsty highly enough.
May 21, 2024
I feel icky but not necessarily in a bad way…thoughts to come
May 7, 2024
Hammonds with another incredible poignant coming of age story, but this one puts teenage alcohol addiction front and center.
December 27, 2023
Jas Hammonds has done it again! Having been completely captivated by their storytelling in "We Deserve Monuments," I pledged to read everything they ever write. True to that promise, I picked up this ARC of "Thirsty" (thanks to Netgalley) and, let me tell you, it was a journey I didn't even know I needed.
This book dives into the tumultuous summer before college for Blake Brenner, her girlfriend, Ella and her best friend, Annetta. They're aiming to join the elite Serena Society, a sorority that's more than just a social club - it's a gateway to a network of influential and groundbreaking women of color. Ella seems destined for acceptance, but Blake, with her working-class background, has much more to prove.
Blake's character is a masterpiece of complexity. She's navigating this intense transition period, and it's not just about fitting in with the Serenas. It's about grappling with her identity, her past, and her future. She turns to alcohol for confidence, but as her drinking spirals, it begins to invade every aspect of her life.
What I love about this book is its raw portrayal of the struggle between ambition and self-destructive tendencies. Blake's journey is heart-wrenching yet so real. You feel for her, get frustrated with her mistakes, and ultimately, you're cheering for her. Jas has a gift for making characters feel like real people - flawed, struggling, but ultimately lovable.
"Thirsty" is not just another coming-of-age story. It adds a layer of complexity with the theme of alcohol abuse. Blake isn't just finding her place in the world; she's learning to do it without the crutch she's relied on for so long. By the end, you feel a sense of pride in Blake's growth and resilience.
"Thirsty" is a beautifully written, emotionally charged narrative that tackles some hard-hitting themes with grace and authenticity. Jas Hammonds continues to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the literary world, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a story that's as inspiring as it is entertaining.
This book dives into the tumultuous summer before college for Blake Brenner, her girlfriend, Ella and her best friend, Annetta. They're aiming to join the elite Serena Society, a sorority that's more than just a social club - it's a gateway to a network of influential and groundbreaking women of color. Ella seems destined for acceptance, but Blake, with her working-class background, has much more to prove.
Blake's character is a masterpiece of complexity. She's navigating this intense transition period, and it's not just about fitting in with the Serenas. It's about grappling with her identity, her past, and her future. She turns to alcohol for confidence, but as her drinking spirals, it begins to invade every aspect of her life.
What I love about this book is its raw portrayal of the struggle between ambition and self-destructive tendencies. Blake's journey is heart-wrenching yet so real. You feel for her, get frustrated with her mistakes, and ultimately, you're cheering for her. Jas has a gift for making characters feel like real people - flawed, struggling, but ultimately lovable.
"Thirsty" is not just another coming-of-age story. It adds a layer of complexity with the theme of alcohol abuse. Blake isn't just finding her place in the world; she's learning to do it without the crutch she's relied on for so long. By the end, you feel a sense of pride in Blake's growth and resilience.
"Thirsty" is a beautifully written, emotionally charged narrative that tackles some hard-hitting themes with grace and authenticity. Jas Hammonds continues to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in the literary world, and I can't wait to see what they come up with next. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a story that's as inspiring as it is entertaining.
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January 25, 2024Jas Hammonds has done it again. I loved loved loved MONUMENTS - it was one of my top 10 books of 2022. But even though THIRSTY is very different (in setting, in tone, in content), Jas's writing and character relationships sucked me in just as hard as they did in their debut.
I don't know if I liked this book more than Monuments, or if it just made me *cry* more, but I CAN tell you that Jas continues to be one of my favorite YA authors of all time.
(Shout out to Mary Van Akin at the Macmillan booth for gifting me a copy at NCTE when I randomly ended up gushing about Monuments at their display, not knowing they had arcs of Thirsty in stock 😅.)
Thirsty doesn't pub until May, so I know this booksta post is way early, but definitely save it as a reminder to either pre-order the book for yourself or get your libraries to do it this Spring.
I don't know if I liked this book more than Monuments, or if it just made me *cry* more, but I CAN tell you that Jas continues to be one of my favorite YA authors of all time.
(Shout out to Mary Van Akin at the Macmillan booth for gifting me a copy at NCTE when I randomly ended up gushing about Monuments at their display, not knowing they had arcs of Thirsty in stock 😅.)
Thirsty doesn't pub until May, so I know this booksta post is way early, but definitely save it as a reminder to either pre-order the book for yourself or get your libraries to do it this Spring.
January 14, 2024
Thank you Edelweiss+ for the eARC! This was absolutely stunning -- harrowing, biting, and real in the best way. Blake is a character that you want to both shake and hug in equal amounts, and her journey from a party girl desperate for love and validation to a sober, healing young woman is powerful. There is also lots of glittery, salacious drama along the way to keep the story moving forward. I read this book in one day because it is compulsively readable.
June 10, 2024
A moving coming of age Sapphic YA story featuring a Black teen and her girlfriend who are both trying to get into an exclusive sorority their first year of college. Tackling heavy family issues, mental health, the pressure to succeed and alcoholism, this was great on audio yet not quite as good (for me) as their last book). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
June 25, 2024
When you think of shows like Euphoria or the Idol, you think of the well-shot, pretty aesthetic of "casual" drug use, "casual" drinking, sad girls but with the best makeup, etc. This book cuts through the glamorization of it and gets you right in the gut.
My face upon finishing: 🤯😭🙃😭😭😭🤯
1st pride read of the month and the book does that to me.
I already loved Jas Hammonds with their debut, We Deserve Monuments that deserves so much more hype. When they announced a new book, I was intrigued. When I saw that it was covered the dangers of social/binge drinking, I was definitely all in.
Now I'm done and I'm like this: 🤯😭🙃😭😭😭🤯 I'm done and can officially say Jas Hammonds has joined the ranks of auto-read authors.
Also, delivered one of my top favorite reads of the year. The same way a certain author ruined any and all romances I read after their book because it was so exceptional, Jas possibly ruin any and all YA contemporary books I'll read after this because this was so superb.
Much like the last book, so short yet was packed with so much heart, especially heartbreak. There were too many times my eyes were getting teary since certain lines and moments were fitting too close to home.
My face upon finishing: 🤯😭🙃😭😭😭🤯
1st pride read of the month and the book does that to me.
I already loved Jas Hammonds with their debut, We Deserve Monuments that deserves so much more hype. When they announced a new book, I was intrigued. When I saw that it was covered the dangers of social/binge drinking, I was definitely all in.
Now I'm done and I'm like this: 🤯😭🙃😭😭😭🤯 I'm done and can officially say Jas Hammonds has joined the ranks of auto-read authors.
Also, delivered one of my top favorite reads of the year. The same way a certain author ruined any and all romances I read after their book because it was so exceptional, Jas possibly ruin any and all YA contemporary books I'll read after this because this was so superb.
Much like the last book, so short yet was packed with so much heart, especially heartbreak. There were too many times my eyes were getting teary since certain lines and moments were fitting too close to home.
May 28, 2024
Jas Hammonds is my favorite contemporary writer and definitely an auto-buy author for me. I mostly read speculative fiction; however, Jas’s writing has a unique way of completely enrapturing me from start to finish, while never letting me go in between, which is as engaging as a work of fantasy, thriller, or horror—something that’s not easily done. Jas’s stories are truly a magical experience.
THIRSTY continues to uphold Jas’s very high standard of literary excellence. The character development, voice, pacing, and themes all shine brilliantly on display in a story that I had no idea at the onset I would relate to as much as I did with their debut novel, WE DESERVE MONUMENTS (also a stellar work that should not be overlooked).
It’s truly an honor to get to publish alongside Jas. They are undoubtedly one of the greatest and most important voices of this publishing generation. I’m proud of them and also that their catalog of work exists and continues to expand.
THIRSTY continues to uphold Jas’s very high standard of literary excellence. The character development, voice, pacing, and themes all shine brilliantly on display in a story that I had no idea at the onset I would relate to as much as I did with their debut novel, WE DESERVE MONUMENTS (also a stellar work that should not be overlooked).
It’s truly an honor to get to publish alongside Jas. They are undoubtedly one of the greatest and most important voices of this publishing generation. I’m proud of them and also that their catalog of work exists and continues to expand.
July 16, 2024
Just the absolutely perfect YA contemporary about a biracial queer teenager who'd do anything to fit in. I've been reading a lot more YA lately after ignoring this genre for years and I find the best of the genre really explores teen issues with sensitivity and care instead of going straight for dramatics and angst.
Blake Brenner and her girlfriend Ella are the perfect It Couple at the start of the story, Ella with her luxury lifestyle and accepting parents and awkward Blake, born to a life of careful love to parents who worked the night shift at 7-Eleven and a pilot, who finally feels seen by beautiful Ella. But this is not a romance, and the happy ending is that Blake finally realizes how toxic she and Ella were together and how she'd enabled her abuse of alcohol. I need more happy endings where the main couple doesn't end up together.
Blake needs alcohol to ease her awkwardness in social settings, and when she drinks she becomes Big Bad Bee, the wild party animal that everyone cheers and admires. She chases that feeling to excess, during a scorching summer working at a country club and trying desperately to join an exclusive sorority for women of color. But is it really her dream, or Ella's?
By the end of the summer she doesn't recognize herself anymore and doesn't know what she wants without Ella's molding of her life. I loved the little details outlining the toxicity of their young love like when Ella pushed her to wear her heeled shoes to a Serena Society soiree when they were clearly a size too small and pinching her feet. The cheating was a little predictable, I think it was enough that Blake realized she didn't like the person she became when she was around Ella.
This book made me cry with all its sapphic yearning, a unique portrayal of alcoholism that you don't always see in sobriety narratives about rock bottom moments, hard-fought growth and heartbreak. I also loved side character Annetta, who was questioning her gender identity and came out as nonbinary. Thought that was so well handled, especially the hazing at the end when Annetta's secret was revealed in a transphobic way.
I bought We Deserve Monuments because I loved this author's writing so much. A new favorite for sure.
Blake Brenner and her girlfriend Ella are the perfect It Couple at the start of the story, Ella with her luxury lifestyle and accepting parents and awkward Blake, born to a life of careful love to parents who worked the night shift at 7-Eleven and a pilot, who finally feels seen by beautiful Ella. But this is not a romance, and the happy ending is that Blake finally realizes how toxic she and Ella were together and how she'd enabled her abuse of alcohol. I need more happy endings where the main couple doesn't end up together.
Blake needs alcohol to ease her awkwardness in social settings, and when she drinks she becomes Big Bad Bee, the wild party animal that everyone cheers and admires. She chases that feeling to excess, during a scorching summer working at a country club and trying desperately to join an exclusive sorority for women of color. But is it really her dream, or Ella's?
By the end of the summer she doesn't recognize herself anymore and doesn't know what she wants without Ella's molding of her life. I loved the little details outlining the toxicity of their young love like when Ella pushed her to wear her heeled shoes to a Serena Society soiree when they were clearly a size too small and pinching her feet. The cheating was a little predictable, I think it was enough that Blake realized she didn't like the person she became when she was around Ella.
This book made me cry with all its sapphic yearning, a unique portrayal of alcoholism that you don't always see in sobriety narratives about rock bottom moments, hard-fought growth and heartbreak. I also loved side character Annetta, who was questioning her gender identity and came out as nonbinary. Thought that was so well handled, especially the hazing at the end when Annetta's secret was revealed in a transphobic way.
I bought We Deserve Monuments because I loved this author's writing so much. A new favorite for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2024
Jas Hammonds is such an amazing author‼️ Ever since I read her first debut We Deserve Monuments I’ve been looking forward to her next book. While Thirsty didn’t top the first book I really enjoyed this one too.
Blake being addicted to alcohol at such a young age stressed me out so bad. But I get it she was formerly a loner and now that she’s trying to be apart of the crowd she doesn’t feel she can be her true self. Peer pressure can get serious but I honestly felt Ella had a lot to do with it. When Blake was under the influence she basically became the life of the party. Ella encouraged the behavior and the new sorority ate up Blake’s energy every time.
Then as the pledging got more intense so does the drinking. Her life was practically turned upside down to the point she was drowning before Blake realized how bad her drinking had actually gotten. But when she did and finally cut Ella off I was so pleased because their relationship was really toxic. “I don’t like who I am when I’m around you.”
Overall, it’s definitely a book I’d recommend. The author touched on some heavy topics surrounding anxiety, the effects of alcoholism, identity, poor decisions, toxic relationships, sobriety, social acceptance, and family. This was probably a tough one for her to write but I think it was needed because it’s a situation many young people are dealing with. Not only that it’s becoming far too common and normalized when people should be discussing alcoholism amongst the youth more. Special thanks to the author & @macmillanusa #RoaringBookPress for my gifted e-ARC‼️
Blake being addicted to alcohol at such a young age stressed me out so bad. But I get it she was formerly a loner and now that she’s trying to be apart of the crowd she doesn’t feel she can be her true self. Peer pressure can get serious but I honestly felt Ella had a lot to do with it. When Blake was under the influence she basically became the life of the party. Ella encouraged the behavior and the new sorority ate up Blake’s energy every time.
Then as the pledging got more intense so does the drinking. Her life was practically turned upside down to the point she was drowning before Blake realized how bad her drinking had actually gotten. But when she did and finally cut Ella off I was so pleased because their relationship was really toxic. “I don’t like who I am when I’m around you.”
Overall, it’s definitely a book I’d recommend. The author touched on some heavy topics surrounding anxiety, the effects of alcoholism, identity, poor decisions, toxic relationships, sobriety, social acceptance, and family. This was probably a tough one for her to write but I think it was needed because it’s a situation many young people are dealing with. Not only that it’s becoming far too common and normalized when people should be discussing alcoholism amongst the youth more. Special thanks to the author & @macmillanusa #RoaringBookPress for my gifted e-ARC‼️
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May 15, 2024I don't really know how to feel about this one. I loved "We deserve monuments", but this one was hard for me to get into/like. I loved the real topics it deals with: alcoholism, identity, gender, belonging, race, enabling, toxic relationships... But I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters.
June 24, 2024
Beautiful, raw and hopeful.
May 15, 2024
This book will change lives, and might also save some. Phenomenal writing and character work. Highly recommend!
May 21, 2024
Wow. This was phenomenal. I honestly had no doubts that I was going to love this because I adored We Deserve Monuments and this book is so different yet just as amazing.
It follows a biracial lesbian main character, her girlfriend, and her best friend as they try and get into this elite sorority group for black women.
Blake is an alcoholic but that's not acknowledged until almost the end of this book and a big hunk of this book is her partying and drinking and abusing alcohol to the point where it starts to ruin her relationships and her friendships. She is peer pressured into drinking constantly during this pledging process and her girlfriend is super problematic. There is a wealth difference between Blake and her girlfriend and that is discussed pretty in-depth. I really loved Blake's relationship with her best friend and overall this book is incredibly important. It's engaging and you're going to get sucked in and it's gonna end up as a favorite for you too.
It follows a biracial lesbian main character, her girlfriend, and her best friend as they try and get into this elite sorority group for black women.
Blake is an alcoholic but that's not acknowledged until almost the end of this book and a big hunk of this book is her partying and drinking and abusing alcohol to the point where it starts to ruin her relationships and her friendships. She is peer pressured into drinking constantly during this pledging process and her girlfriend is super problematic. There is a wealth difference between Blake and her girlfriend and that is discussed pretty in-depth. I really loved Blake's relationship with her best friend and overall this book is incredibly important. It's engaging and you're going to get sucked in and it's gonna end up as a favorite for you too.
May 22, 2024
This book takes place in Virginia (Beach) which is already fun for those of us living in the region, making it so incredibly easy to picture everything that happens throughout. Thirsty does an incredible job of covering the emotional toll of being an alcoholic, specifically for teenagers with low self-confidence. You see the main character, Blake, experience the highs of letting loose and pleasing those around her (specifically her rich girlfriend and president of the super exclusive sorority she's attempting to enter), and the lows as you hear from friends just how hard she is on herself when she's blackout drunk. A diverse cast allows for inclusion covering a wide range of appearances and backgrounds, creating two teams within the story- one trying to help Blake rise from the depths of her nearest alcohol bottle of choice, one working to keep her there. Overall, this book is an incredibly real depiction of what it's like to have a problem with alcohol, and it is absolutely worth the read.
Warning- Mentions Busch Gardens, but not the Cookie Monster even though he lives there.
Warning- Mentions Busch Gardens, but not the Cookie Monster even though he lives there.
May 20, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. If Jas Hammonds writes it, I am reading it as fast as my eyeballs will allow.
May 18, 2024
Thirsty by Jas Hammonds. Thank you to @bookishfirst and @roaringpress for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Serena Society is a secret sorority for trailblazing women of color. Blake’s girlfriend is a Legacy and fits right now. Blake not so much but she makes up for it by being the life of the party, until she’s not.
Can we take a moment to admire this beautiful, Euphoria like cover? I knew this book would be good looking at that cover. This has a bit of everything one would want in a meaningful young adult novel; queer rep, secret society, mean girl drama, and identification seeking. There are a lot of sensitive topics covered, so read gently. I loved that a scene took place a Williamsburg Busch Gardens because I go there all the time and recognized the rides and places. Blake was a great character to follow as she parties and has fun, and as she realizes there may be more to it than that.
Thirsty is available now.
The Serena Society is a secret sorority for trailblazing women of color. Blake’s girlfriend is a Legacy and fits right now. Blake not so much but she makes up for it by being the life of the party, until she’s not.
Can we take a moment to admire this beautiful, Euphoria like cover? I knew this book would be good looking at that cover. This has a bit of everything one would want in a meaningful young adult novel; queer rep, secret society, mean girl drama, and identification seeking. There are a lot of sensitive topics covered, so read gently. I loved that a scene took place a Williamsburg Busch Gardens because I go there all the time and recognized the rides and places. Blake was a great character to follow as she parties and has fun, and as she realizes there may be more to it than that.
Thirsty is available now.
February 25, 2024
Another Jas Hammonds book that has me in my feels. I love Jas’s writing so much and they can do no wrong in my eyes. While this felt so different from their last book, the same messages are still present.
I identified with Blake so much. She just wants people to like her. Not be the nerdy girl from before. When she’s drinking, people pay attention. They like her. She’s a different person. Her struggles with how her family saw her and being biracial of course got to me. I’ve had the same convos with people in my life that Blake did.
I clocked Ella from the beginning and UGH. Nettie and Alice were the realest people here. That is what you truly need in a friend.
There’s a lot of serious topics here about drinking and alcoholism. When to realize you have a problem and that people are enabling you. The last bit of the book made me so so happy. Moving on is the hardest thing, but you can’t forget to look at yourself and like who you see. Like who you’re spending your time with. This book is so beautiful and powerful and I’m a Jas Stan through and through.
I identified with Blake so much. She just wants people to like her. Not be the nerdy girl from before. When she’s drinking, people pay attention. They like her. She’s a different person. Her struggles with how her family saw her and being biracial of course got to me. I’ve had the same convos with people in my life that Blake did.
I clocked Ella from the beginning and UGH. Nettie and Alice were the realest people here. That is what you truly need in a friend.
There’s a lot of serious topics here about drinking and alcoholism. When to realize you have a problem and that people are enabling you. The last bit of the book made me so so happy. Moving on is the hardest thing, but you can’t forget to look at yourself and like who you see. Like who you’re spending your time with. This book is so beautiful and powerful and I’m a Jas Stan through and through.
January 23, 2024
How do you quiet the negative voices? The anxiety? The depression? So many people suffer from these things and many find ways to deal with them, some good and some bad, none good in extreme. Blake uses alcohol to help her be the girl she wants to be. And the girl she things everyone else wants her to be. When things get out of control as she tries to join a secret sorority Blake has to try to find herself, without alcohol, and with friends and lives new and old. This is a tough book to read. I think anyone with anxiety or depression will see themselves in Blake, in her coping mechanisms, even if alcohol isn’t their method of choice. This book is beautiful, painful and in many ways life changing.
February 28, 2024
4.5 stars. Thirsty is so raw and real in its portrayal of escalating substance addiction without being a "preachy" novel on alcholism-- from the trauma that addiction can stem from, to how it becomes a vice used to mask yourself from the world, and even the self. This book will make you ache.
May 11, 2024
This audiobook was made available for me to listen to and review by Jas Hammond, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley.
Alaska Jackson is the narrator of this young adult novel. This is the first novel I've heard narrated by Alaska but it won't be the last. Her ability to use slight changes in inflection and tone when speaking with the voices of the adults or other young characters helped immensely to keep who was saying what separate. This is key to a successful audiobook experience.
This is the first novel I've read by Jas Hammond but it won't be my last. This was incredible. This is primarily a young adult coming of age story with a biracial main character, Blake. Blake is working at the local country club in her small town the summer after high school with her girlfriend, Ella, who is from the wealthier side of town. Both girls are looking to join the exclusive Serena Society their freshman year at university. The Serenity Society is a secret club for WOC only at Jameswell university. It boasts an impressive lineage of powerful alumni members and exists to help WOC rise in a deeply white supremacist society.
This novel explores class, race, substance abuse, toxic relationships and biracial identity struggles.
I liked that this featured white birth mothers who struggled with racism/antiblackness. This isn't reflected enough in media but is an extremely common experience for multi-ethnic kids with white parents.
What this novel had to say about the use and abuse of substances by young adults is important and necessary. I would say this is appropriate for middle and high school age youngsters. Nothing too graphic but most of these topics need to be discussed as early as possible.
Thank you to Jas Hammond, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
Alaska Jackson is the narrator of this young adult novel. This is the first novel I've heard narrated by Alaska but it won't be the last. Her ability to use slight changes in inflection and tone when speaking with the voices of the adults or other young characters helped immensely to keep who was saying what separate. This is key to a successful audiobook experience.
This is the first novel I've read by Jas Hammond but it won't be my last. This was incredible. This is primarily a young adult coming of age story with a biracial main character, Blake. Blake is working at the local country club in her small town the summer after high school with her girlfriend, Ella, who is from the wealthier side of town. Both girls are looking to join the exclusive Serena Society their freshman year at university. The Serenity Society is a secret club for WOC only at Jameswell university. It boasts an impressive lineage of powerful alumni members and exists to help WOC rise in a deeply white supremacist society.
This novel explores class, race, substance abuse, toxic relationships and biracial identity struggles.
I liked that this featured white birth mothers who struggled with racism/antiblackness. This isn't reflected enough in media but is an extremely common experience for multi-ethnic kids with white parents.
What this novel had to say about the use and abuse of substances by young adults is important and necessary. I would say this is appropriate for middle and high school age youngsters. Nothing too graphic but most of these topics need to be discussed as early as possible.
Thank you to Jas Hammond, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
June 13, 2024
A gut-punch of a YA book by @jashammonds
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Meet Blake Brenner aka Big Bad Bee. She and her girlfriend of four years have one goal this summer: get a bid for the ultra-exclusive Serena Society. It’s a sorority that promises powerful networking opportunities, status and strong connections with women of color. Blake doesn’t fit in with the girls once she starts attending the parties and events because Blake doesn’t come from money like all her friends and girlfriend. However, she feels more at home at Ella’s extravagant house than she does in her own place with her parents. In order to fit in, Big Bad Bee becomes confident when she’s drinking, but every time she does she gets blackout drunk and takes all her insecurities out on herself to the point of self-hatred. Is this the right sorority for Blake, if it causes her to act like this?
🥃
I recently read Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow that releases soon and this novel reminded me so much of it because they both deal with teen alcoholism, a topic we don’t discuss often. I believe it will open so many eyes to this issue and the warning signs associated with alcoholism. I was hooked with this story from beginning to end, despite how hard it was to watch Blake continue to harm herself through alcohol abuse. This one is for upper high school and beyond.
CW: alcohol and drug use, cheating, addiction/alcoholism, toxic relationship, forced outing, transphobia, racism, microaggressions, bullying, classism, gaslighting, homophobia, suicidal ideation, blood, sexism, vomit
🍷
Meet Blake Brenner aka Big Bad Bee. She and her girlfriend of four years have one goal this summer: get a bid for the ultra-exclusive Serena Society. It’s a sorority that promises powerful networking opportunities, status and strong connections with women of color. Blake doesn’t fit in with the girls once she starts attending the parties and events because Blake doesn’t come from money like all her friends and girlfriend. However, she feels more at home at Ella’s extravagant house than she does in her own place with her parents. In order to fit in, Big Bad Bee becomes confident when she’s drinking, but every time she does she gets blackout drunk and takes all her insecurities out on herself to the point of self-hatred. Is this the right sorority for Blake, if it causes her to act like this?
🥃
I recently read Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow that releases soon and this novel reminded me so much of it because they both deal with teen alcoholism, a topic we don’t discuss often. I believe it will open so many eyes to this issue and the warning signs associated with alcoholism. I was hooked with this story from beginning to end, despite how hard it was to watch Blake continue to harm herself through alcohol abuse. This one is for upper high school and beyond.
CW: alcohol and drug use, cheating, addiction/alcoholism, toxic relationship, forced outing, transphobia, racism, microaggressions, bullying, classism, gaslighting, homophobia, suicidal ideation, blood, sexism, vomit
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