A review by kricketa
Kendra by Coe Booth

4.0

**i read an ARC of kendra**
kendra, 14, lives with her strict nana in the bronxwood housing projects. she's waiting for her mother, renee, to finish her PhD and get a job so that they can finally live together- renee had kendra when she was 14, and kendra's been waiting for a long time.

things get hard when a cute junior named nashawn starts flirting with kendra when the two are alone. adonna (kendra's same-aged aunt and best friend) has a crush on nashawn, but kendra can't help feeling flattered. at the same time, renee graduates and gets a job in the city, as well as a tiny studio apartment with no room in it for kendra. kendra struggles to find her way, wanted by the wrong people and unwanted by the one she really longs for- her mom.

this book broke my heart, but surprised me with an unexpected ending.