Love Radio

Product Information

After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted. It was also really smart for LaDelle to let Dani and Prince to both be supportive of each other with their passions to increase their connection with each other. It didn’t really feel like that by the end, since Dani was pretty realistic about what love is and how she still has some time to experience all of that. Dani and Prince are both alike and different, complimenting each other and challenging on another in unique and unexpected ways.

That doesn't mean there isn't challenge, lots of obstacles to choosing not to change or grow, or take risks for love, or otherwise there would be no story, and no reflection of the music and movies that are so deeply interwoven in the text. When Prince and Dani meet, sparks fly but Dani doesn't want to get distracted- so she gives Prince only three dates to convince her he's worth falling for. Meanwhile, Dani isn't looking for a relationship- she is determined to focus on her plan to move to NYC and become a famous author- while avoiding thinking about what happened at that party a few months ago. You would think that would be an easy task for an aspiring author, but Dani had something happen to her a while back, a traumatic event, that has ended up having an lasting impact on many different facets of her life.I loved the idea of a teen “love doctor,” and the way the main characters support each other is so heartwarming. Meanwhile, Prince is dealing with providing for his family, especially since he has to take care of his mother, who has MS.

Summary: Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates. Love Radio highlights Black romance, beautiful Black families, supportive Black friendships, and Black artistry. The characters at the heart of this novel are so completely lovable, that you root not only for them individually, but for them as a couple. The Reader gets a front row seat not just to the exquisitely-adorable dates, but also to what's going on behind the scenes in both Prince and Dani's home lives. From sexual harassment, toxic friendship, and managing health complications, this novel addresses many issues teens are facing today in a relatable way that isn’t preachy.Romance is definitely a big part of it but at the heart of it is a really powerful, black coming of age story. We definitely love our mental health representation here, and I especially appreciated both Danielle and Prince’s experiences with their school counselor. They challenge each other’s preconceived notions such that both grow throughout the book due to their interactions with each other. You can read more about the issue of featuring BIPOC characters on book covers in this wonderful article. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners.

I also loved how we learned so much about Prince’s and Danielle’s backstory, it gave them so much more depth which is another reason I was so attached to this story.Prince is passionate about music and romance and gives relationship advice on his Love Radio show- however, his own love life is looking a bit sad. Dani has started to withdraw a bit from her peers, a fact her loving parents definitely recognize, yet they've been unable to get Dani to open up to them about what's going on.