From the author of the much-loved It Sounded Better In My Head comes a deliciously entertaining new rom-com, set in a run-down student share house in Melbourne.
Eighteen-year-old Brooke is the kind of friend who not only remembers everyone’s birthdays, but also organises the group present, pays for it, and politely chases others for their share. She’s the helper, the doer, the guarder-of-drinks, the minder-of-bags, the maker-of-spreadsheets. She’s the responsible one who always follows the rules—and she plans to keep it that way during her first year of university.
Her new share house is rules-lite. But ‘no unnecessary drama’ means no fights, tension, or romance between housemates. When one of her housemates turns out to be Jesse, her high-school nemesis, Brooke is nervously confident she can handle it. They’ll simply silently endure living together and stay out of each other’s way. But it turns out Jesse isn’t so easy to ignore…
Channelling the screwball comedy of New Girl with an enemies-to-lovers twist, Unnecessary Drama is a joyful story about leaving home, dealing with the unexpected complications of life, and somehow finding exactly what you need.
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS
2SER: Book Club
2SER: Final Draft (00:1:32)
3CR: Published or Not (0:13:32)
Age
ArtsHub
AU REview: Most Anticipated Books of 2022: Oct to Dec
Australian Book Lovers podcast (0:39:30)
Better Words podcast (0:33:23)
Booktopia: Tell Me What to Read podcast
CBCA Reading Time
InDaily
Kids’ Book Review
LoveOzYA YouTube
Nerd Daily
Newcastle Libraries podcast
Novel Feelings podcast
Paperbark Words
Publishers Weekly
Readings
Readings: What We’re Reading
ReadPlus
Rosie blog
RTRFM
Sunshine House podcast
Talking Aussie Books podcast
Writes for Women podcast
‘Adorable, this book made us laugh, cry and feel all the warm and fuzzies. We just loved every single page.’
‘Takes readers through the tumultuous uncertainty that exists on the cusp of transitioning out of high school into adulthood.’
‘I laughed out loud several times and fell in love with flawed protagonist Brooke…Completely charming from start to finish.’
‘One of the most hilarious books I have read in a very long time…Pure magic and an absolute delight to read. Enjoy the banter, prepare to relate to some wonderful characters and don’t forget to keep the tissues handy to wipe away those tears of laughter and joy.’
‘This book had me crying tears of laughter! Nina Kenwood is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors and Unnecessary Drama is a delightful gem!’
‘This book had me in turns doubled over with laughter, flushing with second-hand embarrassment, and gasping with delight…Fun and deeply enjoyable.’
‘Hilarious and desperately relatable…Full of glorious unresolved tension, meaningful looks, misunderstanding, big feelings and romantic tropes, Unnecessary Drama is a gorgeous book. It made me laugh and it made me cringe and it made me swoon.’
‘This book is the exact right balance of drama and dappled sunshine….I prescribe Unnecessary Drama for everyone’s weekend, whether it’s reading on the beach or under the doona in the cold November rain.’
‘Kenwood seems to be creating her own genre—the YA anxiety rom-com. Or if she’s not exactly creating it, she’s perfecting it…Cracking dialogue and authentic relationships. You’ll fall in love with Brooke and Jesse.’
‘Nina Kenwood brings another quirky and relatable narrator to her latest novel…Authentic and appealing.’
‘Unnecessary Drama is a cute and light read with lots of feel-good moments.’
‘A funny and utterly charming story about finding love with the person you least expect and navigating life on your own for the first time.’
‘A joyous experience…Such an authentically delicious, chaotic and optimistic narrative.’
‘Marvellous…Exquisitely funny.’
‘Unnecessary Drama is proof that Nina Kenwood knows perfectly how to capture the funny and nerve-wracking process of an anxious mind. You’ll recognise yourself and laugh and cringe along with Brooke.’
‘An absolutely charming story…I loved every minute…A hilarious and yet thoughtfully concerned journey for the reader. Nina Kenwood has got it just right.’
‘I gulped down Unnecessary Drama like a cool glass of homemade lemonade on a hot day: tangy, refreshing, familiar and delicious—familiar in the best way, in that it reminded me of the way my own family and friends speak and act.’
‘A perfect read for young people who have moved on from teen romance novels.’
‘[A] romantic comedy that brings the rom and tons of the com…Sidesplitting comic writing and an appealingly messy protagonist to root for.’
‘[A] romantic comedy that brings the rom and tons of the com…Sidesplitting comic writing and an appealingly messy protagonist to root for.’
‘A fun, breezy read that feels lighthearted but is multilayered, this one will appeal to YA and new adult readers, especially those ready to begin college. Enthusiastically recommended.’