Name: The Night When No One Had Sex
ISBN: 9780807556276

Kalena Miller

Told from alternating perspectives and group chats, a prom night sex pact goes awry for seven friends as they navigate friendships and relationships, embrace the uncertainty of life after high school, and search for a lost cat.

The Night When No One Had Sex

Shareca

Kalena Miller's The Night When No One Had Sex was really good. The different points of view were enjoyable to read. It added to the sense of friendship between them. It had a great voice and a very intriguing narrative.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this arc and e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: The Night When No One Had Sex

Author: Kalena Miller

Book Series: Standalone

Diversity: Korean American MC, Plus size Chinese American male character, F/f romance, MC with Lupus

Rating: 4/5

Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, sex-positive

Genre: YA contemporary

Publication Date: October 12, 2021

Publisher: AW Teen

Pages: 342

Recommended Age: 16+ (Sex, Sexual content, Sexual fantasies, Fatphobic comment, Language, Porn mentioned, STDs mentioned, Racism mentioned, Animal violence mentioned, Masturbation mentioned)

Explanation of CWs: Sex and all it's different forms are mentioned and discussed in the book. There is one instance of a fat phobic comment. Lots of swearing. Animal violence is mentioned as well as beastiality in a unlikable joke.

Synopsis: It's the night of senior prom, and eighteen-year-old Julia has made a pact with her friends. (Yes, that kind of pact.) They have secured a secluded cabin in the woods, one night without parental supervision, and plenty of condoms. But as soon as they leave the dance, the pact begins to unravel. Alex's grandmother is undergoing emergency surgery, and he and his date rush to the hospital. Zoe's trying to figure out how she feels about getting off the waitlist at Yale--and how to tell her girlfriend. Madison's chronic illness flares, holding her back once again from being a normal teenager. And Julia's fantasy-themed role play gets her locked in a closet. Alternating between each character's perspective and their ridiculous group chat, The Night When No One Had Sex finds a group of friends navigating the tenuous transition into adulthood and embracing the uncertainty of life after high school.

Review: For the most part I really enjoyed this read. It was well written and I loved the switching POVs. The character development was great as was the world building. I also love how sex-positive the book was and how it discussed different aspects of sex and consent. Definitely a win for teens who are looking for books that openly discuss it and doesn't back down from awkward talks.

The only thing I really thought could have been improved on was that the switching POVs did take me a bit to get into and there is a large cast of characters that take a bit to know as well.

Verdict: It was good!

[An eARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

CN: sex, heart attack, chronic illness, claustrophobia

Do you like...

... classic prom night stories - but with a twist?
... sex-positive books with healthy relationships (both romantic and platonic)?
... honest and funny books that also talk about a lot of serious topics?
... chronic illness (specifically: lupus) representation?
... multiple POV books with relatable and loveable main characters?
... sapphic representation?
... funny group chats?
... stories about friendship?
... books that are easy to read and will definitely cure your reading slump?

Yes? Then "The Night When No One Had Sex" is perfect for you! Go pre-order it and experience this very special night with Zoe, Morgan, Julia, Kevin, Maddison, Jake, Alex, Leah - and Bulldog. You're going to love Bulldog.

Aimee Ardonne

It's the night of senior prom, and eighteen-year-old Julia has made a pact with her friends. (Yes, that kind of pact.) They have secured a secluded cabin in the woods, one night without parental supervision, and plenty of condoms. But as soon as they leave the dance, the pact begins to unravel. Alex’s grandmother is undergoing emergency surgery, and he and his date rush to the hospital. Zoe’s trying to figure out how she feels about getting off the waitlist at Yale—and how to tell her girlfriend. Madison’s chronic illness flares, holding her back once again from being a normal teenager. And Julia’s fantasy-themed role play gets her locked in a closet. Alternating between each character’s perspective and their ridiculous group chat, The Night When No One Had Sex finds a group of friends navigating the tenuous transition into adulthood and embracing the uncertainty of life after high school.

The Night When No One Had Sex

Reviews

Highlights