Instant Karma

Bookseller recommendation

“This is a perfect summer read with its summer vacation hijinks and beach town vibes. The enemy-to-lovers young adult romance part was fairly predictable with the prickly and hardworking perfectionist Prudence who is forced to work with the laidback and unpredictable Quint. It was really the other bits that turned this into a quality, enjoyable read. It made me wish I could visit the idyllic, but sadly fictional, Fortuna Beach, and the highlights with a charmingly chaotic large family and delightfully healthy friendships kept Prudence from being a completely unbearable character. Prudence’s flaws and mistakes were realistic and did not turn her into a a complete monster. You just got frustrated at times with her self-absorbed oblivion and consuming ambition, which resulted in her inability to see what we often could see first. Her transformation over the course of the book was inspiring and plausible as she became a kinder and more empathetic person who is willing to take chances, not make quick assumptions about others, and be a better friend and family member. An actual young adult reader may not care about or notice the more 'educational aspects,' but it did a really great job of showing the financial challenges non-profits face as well as providing insights into event planning, fundraising, and cultivating donor relationships that would be great for someone who is interested in this career path. Prudence and Quint’s time at the sea animal rescue center also provide an interesting layer with information about environmental conservation and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. The perfect touches were the bit of magical realism centered on karma and all The Beatles references. It worked especially well as an audiobook with Pru’s first person narration.”

— Cori • Bright Side Bookshop