Love on Sight – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: gritty, real, romance, growing-up, friendship.
Children’s book title: Love on Sight.
Children’s authors: Asli Jensen.
Genre: YA fiction.
Published by: Chicken House.
ISBN: 9781915947864.
Recommended for children aged: 16+.
First published: Paperback August 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: teen romance fans.
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Our review:
Sabrina, a Jamaican-English teenager, is a star student with her sights set on university. Jalaal, a Somali teenager, is a small-time drug dealer with only a dusty dream of starting a street clothing brand. They could not appear more different, at least, that is how it seems on the surface. After a chance meeting at a party, Sabrina and Jalaal form an unlikely romance and quickly learn they may have more in common than they first thought.
Sabrina is still reeling from her mother’s absence, leaving her feeling that her mother favoured drugs over her and her little sister. Determined to study hard, achieve top grades, and move out of the city to Warwick, Sabrina focuses on her future. The split first-person narrative gives us insight into the insecurities and obsession with perfection that she battles. Nothing is more confronting than her developing feelings for Jalaal; everyone suggests he could be the end of all she has worked for – but what if he might become her biggest supporter?
Jalaal has his own struggles: living with his brother, grandmother, and cousin; mourning the death of his mother and the absence of his father; desiring a different future but unable to see a way out. He doesn’t understand why, but Jalaal feels a connection to Sabrina he cannot deny, and he becomes increasingly motivated to make a change.
Love on Sight is a gritty portrayal of a London love story. The author includes a recommendation of ‘Not suitable for young readers’ due to the explicit language used and themes of drugs. This novel is a heart-warming story of becoming an adult in a difficult world and seeking to improve your life.
- Read a free extract.
Many thanks to Chicken House for the review copy.
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