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Tonight the Streets Are Ours Summary
Taking care of her loved ones is what gives sixteen-year-old Arden purpose in her life and makes her feel like she matters. But lately she’s grown resentful of everyone—including her needy best friend and her absent mom—taking her loyalty for granted.
Then Arden stumbles upon a website called Tonight the Streets Are Ours, the musings of a young New York City writer named Peter, who gives voice to feelings that Arden has never known how to express. He seems to get her in a way that no one else does, and he hasn’t even met her.
Until Arden sets out on a road trip to find him.
During one crazy night out in New York City filled with parties, dancing, and music—the type of night when anything can happen, and nearly everything does—Arden discovers that Peter isn’t exactly who she thought he was. And maybe she isn’t exactly who she thought she was, either.”
Tonight the Streets Are Ours Review
So obviously, this is a backlist that no one is talking about at the moment, but I am sorting my way through my (surprisingly short?!) TBR pile because 1) it has been too long for most of these books and 2) I am broke thanks to my semester abroad! No regrets!
If you’re looking for light YA contemporary read that is out in good ole’ paperback, look no further. As I’ve told several people on Instagram already, I’ve gotten pretty bitter when it comes to YA fiction lately — it seems that most of it right now is either too cute and/or problematic, but this one pretty much hit the spot. Tonight the Streets Are Ours is light and adventurous, delving into some difficult topics with flawed and realistic characters that feel like they could have gone to my high school.
My favorite part of this book is how it focuses on female friendship. Arden and Lindsey, the best friend duo of the story, both have their share of cringey and dislikable moments (and let me emphasize cringey, oh god), but I still wanted to follow them. Unlike the back cover might suggest, the book takes its time making sure to set up plot points beyond the suggested romance that don’t fall short. You become invested in Peter’s blog right along with Arden in a way that both made me feel nostalgic and think of a less-fantastic Radio Silence in the way that they use media as an art form. Speaking of comps, I would say this is a great one if you liked the light-hearted vibe and realness of Simon Vs. the Homosapien Agenda, where you can believe in and sympathize with the characters’ issues, but also feel the energy of their adventures.
The cast itself, while fairly small, features LGBTQ+ and nonwhite characters in prominent roles. I would recommend this book for high school readers and up.
If you are interested in this one, consider purchasing it from an Indie, or supporting your favorite bookstore through Bookshop.org! (In!! Paperback!!!!! YAY!)
Always,
