Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens overcome insecurities in slow, tender love story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When REGGIE AND DELILAH'S YEAR OF FALLING begins, Delilah, a teen with a Black mother and White father is making a New Year's Eve debut as the lead singer of her friends' punk band, even though "lead singer of a punk band" isn't really her thing. Reggie, a Black teen, who would prefer to be spending his holiday playing D&D, but is at Delilah's show with friends, falls in love with Delilah at first sight. They keep running into one another. On Valentine's Day, and then again on St. Patrick's Day. Will all these meet-cutes add up to anything when who Reggie and Delilah really are isn't who they've been showing up as to one another?
Is It Any Good?
Sometimes slow but always fun, this tender tale has two likable characters you can't help but root for. In Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling by Elise Bryant (One True Loves, Happily Ever Afters), the author authentically captures that stage of life when teens become preoccupied with, and anxious about, what other people think of them. This is very relatable. A shortcoming of the book is that it gets repetitive at times, with multiple scenes delivering the same points and sometimes there's even repeated descriptions of the same physical gestures. But the author does do a good job at showcasing the diversity of Black identity and gives nerdy Black kids the romance they deserve. For readers who've felt like they didn't fit in or had their interests made fun of this book is sure to charm.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of communication in Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling. What kinds of conversations improve relationships and help cultivate compassion? What kinds of conversations damage relationships?
Have you ever been teased or felt judged for something you enjoy? Have you ever teased or judged someone else for their activities? What role does curiosity play in helping the characters become more accepting in the book?
The author of this book tells the story through the two main characters' separate points of view. Why do you think she made that choice?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Courage
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : January 31, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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