If you’ve been around my Instagram, you’ve probably seen the cover for Anna Gracia’s debut YA novel, Boys I Know several times. I am the literaryhypewoman afterall, and that hype only gets more obnoxious for people I like.

Anna happens to be one person I adore after meeting her at YALLFest 2021. She was the woman with hot pink in her hair handing out condoms with her book cover on them. It was hilarious and epic. We talked for a while and she introduced us to some of her other author friends, and it was a lovely evening.

Now that I’ve got my hot little hands on and advanced copy of her book, Boys I Know, (Thanks, Peachtree Teen!) I can tell you all about the book.

Boys I Know follows June through the course of her senior year of high school as she tries to find her footing and make decisions about her future. She feels like her Taiwanese parents don’t care what she wants to do with her life and are pushing her toward something she doesn’t know if she wants. Her big sister isn’t helping by creating a perfect shadow that June’s parents expect her to match.

And then there’s the boys. We first meet June when she’s kinda-sorta seeing Rhys, but he won’t make it official. Her attempts to lock him down with some physicality doesn’t go as planned (like at all). So when she meets a guy who gives her the attention she wants, it’s bye bye Rhys.

Boys I Know isn’t your usual YA romance story because it’s a bit more realistic with the mess. June doesn’t have it all together and she makes bad decisions, like we all did when we were that age, so don’t even pretend like you’re smarter or better or whatever. It’s a story of June learning to speak up for herself and pursue what she really wants.

Part of June speaking up for herself in this book involves handling racist microaggressions. I saw some people slamming on this bit online, and I don’t get how it’s that hard to grasp. June lets things slide for part of the book, like being called “China” even though she’s Taiwanese, but eventually gets tired of it and snaps. While some complained that it was too harsh of a change, it makes perfect sense in reality. I have seen so many people put up with small slights and try to ignore it, only for the irritation with that disrespect to build over time until they blow up and take a stand. It’s normal. It’s realistic. It’s a picture I know so many people will see themselves in and learn that they too can take a stand for themselves. So if you don’t get it, maybe you need to have a good, long think about the things you say to others.

Stepping off my soap box now…

Anyways, I enjoyed Boys I Know, not just because the author is fun, but because it’s grounded in reality. There were so many little things that I related with or know someone who has expressed the same sentiment. June reflects stories and experiences from so many women. Also, the author’s note at the beginning is wonderful, so don’t skip it.

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