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'90s Kids
Bex, born in 1990, is the most popular sophomore in the marching band and a somewhat hopeless romantic. Nicole, born in 1999, is a cynical science nerd and Star Trek fan fiction author. After two separate time-travel accidents—one in 2006 and one in 2015—the girls meet each other in 1989, both at age 16.
Now living in a different decade, Bex gets to have the John Hughes-inspired teen fantasy that she’s always imagined while Nicole gets to examine time-travel technology straight out of her favorite fictional universes. But when government officials attempt to contain them at, of all places, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the two find themselves on the run.
Will they avoid a paradox and find their way back to their own time periods, or will the adventure and romance of the ’80s and ’90s keep them stuck in the past?
More than a typical young-adult coming-of-age novel, ’90s Kids features time travel as a way to explore the evolution of punk rock, interracial relationships, and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
Now living in a different decade, Bex gets to have the John Hughes-inspired teen fantasy that she’s always imagined while Nicole gets to examine time-travel technology straight out of her favorite fictional universes. But when government officials attempt to contain them at, of all places, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the two find themselves on the run.
Will they avoid a paradox and find their way back to their own time periods, or will the adventure and romance of the ’80s and ’90s keep them stuck in the past?
More than a typical young-adult coming-of-age novel, ’90s Kids features time travel as a way to explore the evolution of punk rock, interracial relationships, and LGBTQ+ acceptance.
296 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2021
13 people are currently reading
254 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 13, 2021
My biased author review. I spent 3 years on this book and it's honestly my favorite thing I've ever written.
August 19, 2021
Really sweet time travel romance. I think Savy's biggest strength is her grasp of pacing. There's no scene that feels like it goes on too long and it makes all of her books really easy to read.
It was really interesting/horrifying seeing the casual biphobia of the mid-2000s, and the fact that the past is portrayed as hateful as it was really makes the book stand out.
I think my favourite aspect is how real Bex and Nicole's emotions feel. Whether describing anxiety or numbness, Savy has really struck at the truth.
It was cool, I'd recommend it.
It was really interesting/horrifying seeing the casual biphobia of the mid-2000s, and the fact that the past is portrayed as hateful as it was really makes the book stand out.
I think my favourite aspect is how real Bex and Nicole's emotions feel. Whether describing anxiety or numbness, Savy has really struck at the truth.
It was cool, I'd recommend it.
June 13, 2022
In one word, this book is FUN.
My thoughts about this book are in this wrap up video.
My thoughts about this book are in this wrap up video.
August 15, 2022
The book was fine. There are some issues with the writing - it's kind of choppy, especially in the scenes that take place in 2006 and 2015 (for some reason, it was much smoother in the 1989 scenes). I do also wish that we'd seen more of the day-to-day activity in 1989, giving Bex and Nicole more time being together. I think we get two or three scenes of them actually as a couple - more detail on the relationship building and then falling in love would have really strengthened my connection to them as a couple (as opposed to individually, which was very well done). For example, more of the characters interacting with the gay rights movement (beyond the one scene in which they were spectators) in the past as a way to help promote character development and discovery and why it's important that these types of stories are told ("One Last Stop" does this really well). The characters spend two months in the basement of a lesbian bar, but given the way it was written, really could have been anywhere. Something that showed why this type of place was important in the time period could have been powerful - especially for two teenagers who may not recognize it given where they came from.
I also think an epilogue would have been nice. Without spoiling it, one of the characters makes a massive decision at the end of the book; an epilogue that recognized that and showed the characters addressing how they were going to deal with that decision would have been a nice way to give some closure.
Basically, I think my criticisms boil down to just wanting more detail. It's a really clever take on an interesting prompt - I just think there was a lot of unexplored potential.
I also think an epilogue would have been nice. Without spoiling it, one of the characters makes a massive decision at the end of the book; an epilogue that recognized that and showed the characters addressing how they were going to deal with that decision would have been a nice way to give some closure.
Basically, I think my criticisms boil down to just wanting more detail. It's a really clever take on an interesting prompt - I just think there was a lot of unexplored potential.
June 18, 2021
I read this in one day and really enjoyed it. Time travel stories are hit or miss for me, when characters start discussing how it works my brain zones out. Savy handled it well though and kept things fun!
The two main characters were both interesting and full of personality, they seem like an unlikely match at first but their relationship was really nice to watch develop. The side characters for the most part were not nice people (on purpose) and Savy brings in well written discussions on homophobia and biphobia, a topic I know is close to the author's heart. The way these topics influenced the story were also very well written with a great message, while still being realistic (i.e. some people are just homophobic sadly, their opinions can't be changed).
Savy's writing style is fast paced and keeps you reading the whole way through, there is always something going on. Would definitely recommend this novel to anyone - especially those looking for a fun, easy to read young adult sapphic story.
The two main characters were both interesting and full of personality, they seem like an unlikely match at first but their relationship was really nice to watch develop. The side characters for the most part were not nice people (on purpose) and Savy brings in well written discussions on homophobia and biphobia, a topic I know is close to the author's heart. The way these topics influenced the story were also very well written with a great message, while still being realistic (i.e. some people are just homophobic sadly, their opinions can't be changed).
Savy's writing style is fast paced and keeps you reading the whole way through, there is always something going on. Would definitely recommend this novel to anyone - especially those looking for a fun, easy to read young adult sapphic story.
February 26, 2025
I wish I could travel back in time to give my 16-year-old self this book.
I like the straight-forward storytelling, the unique take on the time travel trope, and the overall fun and lighthearted tone. But I love the characters. I wish I had a protagonist like Nicole to read about when I was a teen. And how I wish I'd had such a sweet, genuine relationship to look up to as a good example of what to seek out for my own life.
While the tone is fairly light by and large, there are the sudden moments of depth and darkness that are so true to life when you're 16 (or 29, or 39 lol).
My guess about the ending was correct, but until the last page I really wasn't sure how it would work out, and I love that it kept me on the edge of my seat.
I like the straight-forward storytelling, the unique take on the time travel trope, and the overall fun and lighthearted tone. But I love the characters. I wish I had a protagonist like Nicole to read about when I was a teen. And how I wish I'd had such a sweet, genuine relationship to look up to as a good example of what to seek out for my own life.
While the tone is fairly light by and large, there are the sudden moments of depth and darkness that are so true to life when you're 16 (or 29, or 39 lol).
My guess about the ending was correct, but until the last page I really wasn't sure how it would work out, and I love that it kept me on the edge of my seat.
October 4, 2024
This book has a lot of fun with its premise, small details of the world make this a more unique and zany story than it could have been otherwise. I love the detail of the DMV being responsible for time travel for example. I also think all the cases of the past/future crossing over are funny and interesting such as Bex’s encounter with her teacher and Nicole’s fan fiction dedication. This book is nothing groundbreaking but it is a good read with realistic depictions of queer women from two different eras. One criticism I would give is that the relationship between Bex and Nicole was kind of glossed over and it would have been nice to see more scenes of their relationship dynamic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2022
What a joy to read after workshopping early chapter drafts with the DePaul Writers Guild! I knew most of the setup a couple reveals going in, but much I did not know, nor did I know (or remember...) the ending. Definitely had my heart racing as things were nearing the end. I also loved the reflections on wishing to experience a time before ours and how our thoughts may evolve if actually get to experience that. I loved the humor and the details and the heart. Cheers.
Read
September 26, 2021As a YA reader, this hooks you immediately. It is well written and the author took the time to hire sensitivity readers to make sure she was accurately representing a particular population. Great writing Savy!
June 18, 2021
So much fun!
4-4.5 stars. What a fun ride! Loved the characters, setting, and all the pop culture references from multiple eras. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
4-4.5 stars. What a fun ride! Loved the characters, setting, and all the pop culture references from multiple eras. I thoroughly enjoyed this.
July 10, 2021
Fun Read!
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an interesting take on time travel and romance. Great for teens, but as an adult, I enjoyed it as well.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s an interesting take on time travel and romance. Great for teens, but as an adult, I enjoyed it as well.
August 26, 2021
An absolute gem from start to finish. Sci fi, time travel, 80s references, and girls falling in love. If I could live my life in a novel it would be this one.
December 5, 2021
Likable but uneven time travel story. Ending was confusing . With a little polish lots of potential
November 5, 2021
This is a first for me in a couple of ways. One, I don't normally read YA, not on purpose really, I just tend to gravitate towards adult fiction. And two, I don't normally write reviews. I just like to give a star rating, and truthfully I like using Good Reads to ... well, find my next good read.
Anyway, I picked up this book for one specific reason: I, too, am writing a book about teens in the '90s with LGBT+ themes (which is barely half done) and I didn't want to have too many similarities, or make it look like I stole and idea or anything. I am pleased to see that there are no similarities and this book was so awfully fun to read!
The idea of time traveling through the DMV was so cheeky and interesting, and the love story was so pure and sweet that it took ME back to the '90s when I was a teen/younger adult.
The writing is on point. The author managed to convey so much of the characters' emotions without being overly flowery (and I dig flowery language), but she tapped into this genuineness that I think most people can relate to if they've ever been teenagers.
Funny, sweet, and just a cool, wild ride. I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for a beach read; an educational read if you're a parent with an LGBTQIA child; or if you're a young person navigating your first relationship and/or trying to find yourself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Anyway, I picked up this book for one specific reason: I, too, am writing a book about teens in the '90s with LGBT+ themes (which is barely half done) and I didn't want to have too many similarities, or make it look like I stole and idea or anything. I am pleased to see that there are no similarities and this book was so awfully fun to read!
The idea of time traveling through the DMV was so cheeky and interesting, and the love story was so pure and sweet that it took ME back to the '90s when I was a teen/younger adult.
The writing is on point. The author managed to convey so much of the characters' emotions without being overly flowery (and I dig flowery language), but she tapped into this genuineness that I think most people can relate to if they've ever been teenagers.
Funny, sweet, and just a cool, wild ride. I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend it for a beach read; an educational read if you're a parent with an LGBTQIA child; or if you're a young person navigating your first relationship and/or trying to find yourself. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews