Common Sense Media Review
By Kya Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mild sex and language in fun, Brooklyn-set summer romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In AUDRE & BASH ARE JUST FRIENDS, 16-year-old Audre Mercy-Moore is planning her annual trip to leave Brooklyn for the summer to visit her father in Malibu. She needs a break from the chaos of her mom's home and a space to write her teen self help book, full of lessons gathered through the therapy sessions she provides to her classmates. Convinced that this book will be the key to gaining her admission to Stanford, she's hurt and disappointed when her father cancels on her, claiming he and her stepmother don't have room for her due to the upcoming arrival of her baby brother. She's not surprised since her mother, Eva Mercy, a famous author, has pushed her to the side as well for her new husband, Shane, and her baby sister Alice. The pinnacle of perfection, Audre is only able to vent to her best friend, Reshma, who creates an experience challenge for her to complete while stuck in Brooklyn for the summer to help her with her college applications. The only catch is that she needs a "funsultant" and who better than Bash Henry, a 17-year-old newcomer to town with a reputation for being a mysterious playboy. He agrees to help her and as they spend time together, they realize they have more in common than they first thought. Will their respective family issues bring an end to their unique bond, or can they manage to stay together?
Is It Any Good?
This is a heartwarming and endearing teen romance that paints a vivid and realistic picture of the highs and lows of adolescence. Audre & Bash Are Just Friends will appeal to teens, who'll enjoy then teens' opposites attract connection and the relatable ways serious topics like family problems and mental health are explored. Audre and her crew are an appealing cast of characters in a book that just gets teens. The narrative captures the different emotions that teens may experience as they explore friendship, crushes, love, and sexuality, along with navigating other responsibilities and family issues. The novel's structure—from text threads between her and Bash to excerpts of pages in the self-help book Audre's writing—allow readers inside the character's developing relationship and reinforce growth and learning. A fun, flirty summer read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about courage in Audre & Bash are Just Friends. Audre is nervous to talk to her mom about her feelings. Have you ever been brave enough to discuss difficult topics with your parents? What do you do when you're navigating heavy feelings?
Audre judges Bash harshly before taking the time to get to know him. Have you ever judged someone prematurely? What would you do differently now in a similar situation?
Bash thinks it's "uncool" to be unkind to others. Do you agree? What does compassion mean to you? How do you model compassion in your everyday life?
Reshma creates an "experience" challenge for Audre, which leads her to befriend Bash. In what ways have you shown curiosity? How has it helped you to grow as an individual?
Despite obstacles and setbacks, both Audre and Bash exhibit perseverance as they continue to work toward their goals. How do you stay on track to accomplish your goals when faced with challenges?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage , Curiosity , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little Brown and Company
- Publication date : May 6, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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