In “Audre & Bash Are Just Friends,” Tia Williams crafts a delightfully engaging young adult romance that perfectly captures the emotional intensity and self-discovery that define the teenage experience. Fans of Williams’ previous work—particularly her bestselling adult romance “Seven Days in June”—will be thrilled to reconnect with young Audre Mercy-Moore, who first appeared as Eva Mercy’s precocious daughter. Now sixteen and the star of her own story, Audre navigates the complexities of family dynamics, identity, and first love in this charming summer romance.
Williams, known for her compelling adult titles including “The Perfect Find” (adapted into a Netflix film starring Gabrielle Union) and her recent bestseller “A Love Song for Ricki Wilde,” successfully pivots to the YA genre while maintaining her signature blend of humor, emotional depth, and lyrical prose. This transition feels effortless, proving Williams’ versatility as a storyteller who understands the nuances of human connection across generations.
Plot: Summer Plans Derailed and Hearts Unexpectedly Connected
The novel opens on the last day of junior year at Brooklyn’s elite Cheshire Prep, where Audre Mercy-Moore’s carefully constructed life is beginning to unravel. Class president, debate team captain, and unofficial student therapist charging $45 per session, Audre has always been the consummate overachiever. When her father cancels her annual “Dadifornia” summer visit to his Malibu beach house, she’s devastated—not only will she miss the ocean, but she’ll be trapped in a cramped Brooklyn apartment with her mom Eva, stepdad Shane, and baby sister (whom she not-so-affectionately nicknames “The Goblin”).
Desperate to salvage her summer and gather material for the self-help book she’s writing to impress Stanford’s admissions board, Audre makes an impulsive decision: she hires Bash Henry, a mysterious new senior from Oakland with a reputation for wild partying, to be her “fun consultant.” His mission? To guide her through five daring challenges that will provide inspiration for her writing.
What begins as a strictly business arrangement gradually evolves into something deeper as Audre and Bash challenge each other’s preconceptions. Both characters harbor secrets and vulnerabilities beneath their confident exteriors. While Audre struggles with anxiety and family revelations, Bash grapples with his father’s rejection and an uncertain future. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both insist they’re “just friends”—until they can’t deny their feelings any longer.
Characters: Complex, Authentic, and Utterly Captivating
The true strength of this novel lies in its rich character development. Audre and Bash feel authentically teenage—impulsive, contradictory, and earnest. Williams writes them with such dimensionality that readers of all ages will find something relatable in their journeys.
Audre Mercy-Moore
Audre is a brilliantly rendered protagonist—ambitious and analytical yet struggling with panic attacks and a deep-seated need for perfection. Her journey from rigidity to flexibility, from overthinking to spontaneity, forms the emotional core of the novel. As the daughter of a successful writer who changed her name from Genevieve Mercier to Eva Mercy and reinvented herself, Audre grapples with expectations both inherited and self-imposed. Her catchphrase “Mercy girls do what can’t be done” becomes both her mantra and her burden.
Bash Henry (Sebastian Wallace)
Bash initially appears to be the quintessential bad boy with his tattoos and carefree attitude, but Williams subverts this trope beautifully. A former track star from Oakland with dreams of becoming a tattoo artist, Bash carries wounds from his father’s rejection after being caught kissing a male competitor. His chosen name—a departure from Sebastian Wallace—represents his attempt to forge a new identity away from his father’s expectations. His vulnerability, artistic spirit, and gentle nature make him an unforgettable love interest.
Supporting Cast
The novel boasts a colorful supporting cast, including:
- Reshma Wells: Audre’s dramatic best friend with wealthy British pop star parents
- Clio: Bash’s half-sister who becomes entangled with Reshma
- Eva and Shane: Audre’s mother and stepfather, whose own teenage romance resurfaces in unexpected ways
- Baby Alice: Audre’s scene-stealing baby sister, initially resented but eventually embraced
Each character contributes meaningfully to the narrative, creating a vibrant community around our protagonists.
Themes: Identity, Heritage, and Defying Expectations
Williams explores several compelling themes throughout the novel:
- Family Legacy and Identity The revelation of Eva’s troubled past and the “curse” of the Mercier women provides a fascinating exploration of generational trauma and resilience. Audre’s discovery that she comes from a line of “rule-breakers” rather than perfect achievers forces her to reconsider her own identity.
- First Love and Vulnerability The romance between Audre and Bash avoids clichés by depicting how genuine connection requires emotional honesty and the courage to be seen fully. Their moments together—particularly the emotionally charged tattoo scene—are rendered with tender authenticity.
- Mental Health and Anxiety Audre’s panic attacks and perfectionism are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. Rather than romanticizing mental health struggles, Williams shows how therapy, self-reflection, and support systems can help manage anxiety.
- Sexual Identity and Coming Out The novel includes positive representation of bisexual and queer characters, showing different paths to self-acceptance without making sexuality the defining characteristic of anyone’s identity.
Writing Style: Fresh, Authentic, and Emotionally Resonant
Williams excels at capturing the voice of contemporary teens without resorting to excessive slang or trying too hard to seem “current.” The dialogue crackles with wit and emotion, while moments of interiority reveal surprising depth. Her incorporation of text messages feels organic rather than gimmicky, reflecting how today’s teens actually communicate.
The novel’s structure, which includes Audre’s evolving self-help book rules as chapter epigraphs, cleverly traces her character development. These snippets showcase Williams’ gift for weaving humor with poignant observation:
“Rule 2: If you see tall, curly-haired boys in the wild, avoid looking directly into their eyes. Their retinas have special powers that turn smart girls stupid. This is science.”
Where the Novel Occasionally Stumbles
While “Audre & Bash Are Just Friends” is largely successful, it’s not without flaws:
- Pacing Issues: The middle section occasionally drags, with some scenes feeling repetitive as Audre and Bash circle their feelings.
- Convenient Resolutions: Some conflicts, particularly Eva’s abrupt acceptance of Bash at the wedding, feel too easily resolved after such strong opposition.
- Underdeveloped Subplot: The storyline involving Reshma and Clio never quite receives the development it deserves, sometimes feeling more like a distraction than a meaningful parallel.
- Familiar Tropes: While Williams subverts many YA romance conventions, others remain predictable, including the inevitable third-act separation before the reunion.
Comparisons and Context
Fans of Jenny Han’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and Nicola Yoon’s “The Sun Is Also a Star” will find much to love here. Williams channels their accessible approach to teen romance while infusing her narrative with distinctive cultural specificity and emotional complexity.
Unlike many YA romances that center white protagonists, “Audre & Bash Are Just Friends” presents a richly diverse cast without tokenism. The characters’ racial and cultural backgrounds inform their experiences without defining them entirely.
The novel also stands apart in its exploration of class within the context of private school. While many YA novels either ignore economic realities or focus exclusively on disparities, Williams acknowledges privilege while showing variations within it.
Final Verdict: A Vibrant, Authentic Summer Romance
“Audre & Bash Are Just Friends” marks Tia Williams’ triumphant entry into young adult fiction. Despite minor flaws, this novel succeeds brilliantly as both a compelling romance and a thoughtful coming-of-age story. Williams has crafted characters who feel like real teenagers—smart, flawed, passionate, and searching for their place in the world.
The novel’s greatest strength is its emotional authenticity. From panic attacks to first kisses, family revelations to friendship betrayals, Williams captures the heightened emotions of adolescence without condescension. Readers will close the book feeling as though they’ve spent a transformative summer with characters who have become friends.
For fans of Williams’ adult fiction, this YA offering provides a delightful new facet of her storytelling abilities. For young readers discovering her work for the first time, it serves as an excellent introduction to an author who understands that matters of the heart are both universal and deeply personal.
Despite its playful title, “Audre & Bash Are Just Friends” is much more than a light summer romance—it’s a vibrant celebration of self-discovery, family truth, and the courage it takes to love authentically.