By Rozalia Boma Davies (author)
"A sweet YA rom-com that blends first romance and reconciliation with trying to navigate multi-heritage identities. "
Paperback Not Available
View All Editions (1)
Available from Waterstones
Aang and JJ used to be the closest of friends before a clash led to them falling out. JJ is a Polish-Nigerian cheerleader keen on embracing as much of the American life as possible in the hopes she’ll finally find a place she fits in. Aang was born in America but has parents from Hong Kong and is doing everything possible to feel more a part of the Cantonese community.
A meeting with the overburdened guidance counsellor leads to JJ re-joining the Mathletes, and Aang starting cheerleading to diversify their college resumes. Both have championships on the line, will them being pushed together end in disaster, or let their relationship flourish.
I loved this American high school rom-com. It had all the best bits about teen movie storylines. There’s humour and heart as well as the simmering tension of a friends-to-fallout-to-friends-to-lovers YA first-love storyline. The hidden gem in the story was the guidance counsellor Ms Foster, the exchange with her at the end of the book made me laugh out loud.
The Chronicles of Ms Foster could be a funny read. I loved that the key themes of identity and belonging are echoed throughout the book, not just with the main characters. There is a brilliantly diverse cast of characters that allows the themes and challenges connected to identity to be explored in a range of different ways.
There’s a really powerful section where JJ reflects on the experiences of her friends and that they might all talk about them one day. This seems like the perfect open door to explore these stories in future books. I loved that the coming-of-age themes of identity and belonging are not just restricted to the high-school age characters.
It was great to get the perspectives of JJ and AAng’s parents as they step in to support, each with their own struggles, fears and reasonings. It makes the key focus of I’ll Be a Home for You transcend the YA audience.
This is an entertaining YA rom-com that I couldn’t put down, and would be a great recommendation for anyone looking for a coming-of-age romance with heart and depth.
BRING IT ON meets NEVER HAVE I EVER in this multicultural YA rom-com debut from a “We Need Diverse Books” 2026 mentee, where ex-friends turned enemies strike a deal: the math nerd joins the cheerleading team, the cheerleader joins Mathletes, and they set out to win both national competitions to secure their college admissions. Perfect for fans of Ann Liang and Talia Hibbert.
.......................................................................................................................................................................................................
They’ve been homesick for something.
High school junior JJ Wyró?nicka-Johnson has perfected the art of being an American girl. Since moving from Poland to Massachusetts two years ago, she’s ditched her Polish Nigerian name and buried her accent. All that’s left? Winning cheerleading nationals, getting into an Ivy, and finally fitting in. What’s not on the agenda is obsessing over Aang, her ex-friend who kicked her out of the math club a year before.
Aang Lau has decided that being American isn’t for him. On a mission to reclaim his Hong Kong roots, he plans to win Mathletes nationals and secure Stanford admission—his gateway to San Francisco’s Cantonese community. Too bad he can’t stop replaying his sophomore-year heartbreak, when JJ ditched him for the all-American popular kids.
The last thing either of them wants is to spend time together. But one panicked guidance counselor meeting later, JJ’s returning to Mathletes while Aang’s joining cheerleading in desperate attempts to win two national titles and boost their college applications.
Two competitions, one shared objective, zero feelings. Until his hands feel perfect on her hips during cheerleading stunts.Until their stares linger over math equations.Until they’re forced to decide whether their beliefs are worth sacrificing for the one person who makes them feel at home.
the best books for teenagers
Available from Waterstones BRING IT ON meets NEVER HAVE I EVER in this multicultural YA rom-com debut from a “We Need Diverse Books” 2026 mentee, where ex-friends turned enemies strike a deal: the math nerd joins the cheerleading team, the cheerleader joins Mathletes, and they set out to win both national competitions to secure their college admissions. Perfect for fans of Ann Liang and Talia Hibbert. .......................................................................................................................................................................................................
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed I'll Be a Home for You and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
I'll Be a Home for You features in the following genres: Featured Books for 13+ readers, Featured Books for Young Adults, Indie Author Books , Indie Books We Love, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories, School Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. Not Available.
I'll Be a Home for You was written by Rozalia Boma Davies and published by MBRD Publishing
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.