The book Kate in Waiting (2021) by Becky Albertalli centers around two best friend theater students, Kate and Anderson. They are ready to take on their junior year play, but that gets sidelined when their love lives get in the way. Their communal obsession from summer theater camp moves to their hometown and enrolls in their school. Kate and Anderson may be best friends, but things change when they develop a crush on the same guy!

The book focuses on Kate Garfield and how her feelings change as her theater crush gives her mixed signals. She misinterprets every look, conversation, and text. Things get dicey when Anderson and her crush reveal a shocking secret. She must learn how to live with this news and how it changes her life and her friendship with Anderson.

At the same time, Kate’s longtime friend, Noah Kaplan, has been waiting for his chance with her. It all begins when he signs up for the school play. Kate is so hyper fixated on her crush she doesn’t realize there are other options. Noah shoots his shot multiple times and eventually Kat must choose. It is either the hot theater crush or her relationship with a friend.

Overall, I recommended this book for those interested in a non-traditional love story. The book probably could be a little shorter, but it was a solid read that I would suggest.