The Night When No One Had Sex

August 1, 2021

Gr 10 Up-Four couples, a prom, a secluded cabin outside of Euguene, Oregon, and a sex pact-what could go wrong? For Zoe, it's acceptance into Yale accompanied by the nagging question of whether that is still her dream school compounded by her girlfriend's twin drama. For Morgan, it's the debilitating effects of lupus and a hot boyfriend who-despite all of the bro vibes-is equal parts intelligent, clueless, sensitive, and self-absorbed. For Julia it's the excruciating pain accompanying her attempts at sex with her boyfriend followed by being locked in a closet during their last ditch attempt to spice up the act by role playing. For Alex, it's introducing his conservative Korean mother to his prom date in the waiting room of a hospital. In the span of 24 hours, what was supposed to be a memorable prom turns into a truly unforgettable night. Reminiscent of the comedic hijinks of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, Miller creates a diverse cast of likable characters who are immediately relatable and who possess all of the awkwardness that ensue when the best laid plans run wildly amok. Frank discussion of sexuality is an integral part of the plot, and the author emphasizes safety, consent, and commitment. VERDICT Mature teen readers will be charmed by this coming-of-age story that explores relationships and personal growth as much as the mechanics of sexuality.-Jodeana Kruse, R.A. Long H.S., Longview, WA

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 15, 2021
A group of friends in Eugene, Oregon, make a pact to have sex with their respective partners after prom in this comedic novel. Featuring revolving first-person narration shared by four of the characters and interspersed with a group chat that includes the whole group, this engaging, madcap comedy is refreshingly frank in its discussion of sex and the problems that can arise as couples prepare to make good on their plans at the fancy vacation house they've borrowed from Zoe's uncle for the occasion. Only Alex, who rushes to be with his grandmother when she is taken to the hospital, and Leah, the prom date he met only hours earlier after they were set up by a mutual friend, are not part of the pact. Zoe and her girlfriend, Morgan, who've had sex before, struggle with discussing changes in their college plans. Morgan's twin sister, Madison, and her boyfriend, Jake, arrive with condoms in hand but find that a flare of her autoimmune disorder, lupus, and his good-natured but clueless response to it complicate their plans. Finally, Julia's disappointment that she experiences extreme pain when she and her boyfriend, Kevin, attempt to have intercourse leads them to try out a role-play scenario that ends in situational hilarity. Alex is Korean American; Kevin is Chinese American; and the rest of the characters are White. A witty, honest debut that shines a light on some very real issues. (Fiction. 14-18)

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July 1, 2021
Grades 9-12 The post-prom plan is to overnight at Zoe's uncle's secluded cabin to facilitate Julia's sex pact. But as the caravan of eight friends leaves for its destination, the plan begins to unravel, one couple at a time. From a family health emergency to a flare-up of lupus, life keeps stubbornly getting in the way. Among the speed bumps is Zoe's reluctance to tell her girlfriend that she'll be heading across the country to attend Yale. And Julia and Kevin's role-playing goes awry when she gets locked in a closet. Told via multiple points of view and a hilarious group chat, this atypical prom tale is humorous and dramatic in equal parts. The characters, who come from a variety of backgrounds (Chinese, Korean, Spanish) feel like true individuals, and many are struggling with further issues, from auto-immune disease to felinophobia. They enjoy realistic interpersonal relationships and are credible as teens wanting to take their perceived first step to becoming adults. A fun read, perfect for anyone who is (or has ever been) a teen.

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