Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo

Today we have a novel in verse following Samira, someone who has been labeled a ‘bad girl’. Samira’s reputation grows once a scandalous rumor gets out about her, and then she’s practically grounded for life. She turns to an online poetry forum, and she meets the enigmatic Horus, a renowned poet. Samira senses an instant connection between her and the older artist. As summer begins, Samira’s relationship with Horus grows. She also starts attending a poetry workshop. Samira is thrilled to have her first boyfriend, even if he has to be kept secret, and to be growing her new reputation, the one as a poet, no matter what her mother and aunties say. But Samira is blinded by Horus’s charm, and little does she know, he will harm her and her poetry. This is a beautiful, honest coming-of-age novel. Also, can we talk about that cover? It’s gorgeous.