LIKE NO OTHER

Phoebe Strole's earnest, hopeful portrayal of Hasidic Devorah Blum creates a compelling duet with Leslie Odom, Jr.'s, passionate, eager depiction of Caribbean nerd Jaxon Hunte. When Devorah and Jax are trapped in a Brooklyn elevator during a hurricane, an unlikely love blossoms, and they find themselves wrangling with heavy societal and cultural obstacles. Dual narrators are an effective choice in a story that alternates viewpoints with each chapter, and Strole and Odom interweave their stories gracefully. Strole imbues Devorah with a solid voice and strong convictions as Odom lends humor and urgency to Jax's conflicting emotions. For those who favor romance in their coming-of-age tales. K.S.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2015]