ARC Review // The Best Friend Bracelet

At Hurston Middle School, best friendship is a big deal. And Zariah Brown makes the best best friendship bracelets in town. Business is booming; Zariah can hardly keep up with orders. 

The problem is, Zariah doesn’t have a best friend of her own. As the entire seventh grade gears up for their big Pajama Jam weekend, it seems as if everyone else is paired up except her. 

So Zariah pours her heart and soul into making the ultimate friendship bracelet, using a set of beads gifted to her by a mysterious woman. But the bracelet turns out to be a tiny bit . . . magical. In fact, anyone who puts it on instantly becomes Zariah’s best friend. Now all she has to do is find the perfect best friend and get the bracelet on them. Easy, right? 

It turns out finding the ideal friend isn’t so simple, and things quickly spin out of control. Will Zariah ever find her true BFF, or is she destined to be alone forever? 

Best friends are a big deal at Hurston Middle School, so not having one makes Zariah feel insecure. When she stumbles upon magical beads that once made into a bracelet makes anyone who wears it instantly become her bestie, life couldn't be better—or so she thinks. Zariah must tackle her inner feelings about not having a best friend before she ruins the potential one right in front of her.

Middle-grade girls will love The Best Friend Bracelet! Zariah insecurities will make readers feel for her while her business savvy and creativity show depth of character. I appreciated how she was really looking for someone to connect and be herself with. That's what true friendship is all about. Theo is Zariah's potential best friend who's not looking for a best friend. However, she needs to convince her mom she has friends so she strikes a deal with Zariah to help her with a science project. This means lots of time getting to know each other while eating PB & J sandwiches. 

Zariah is usually seen wearing all black with the perfect makeup look on. She's very much an introvert who guards her heart. Seeing how she slowly opens up and trusts Zariah was so heartwarming. I loved getting to know Zariah and Theo and seeing their friendship grow. The Best Friend Bracelet is a great story for creative readers who enjoy friendship stories with a dash of magic. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of The Best Friend Bracelet in exchange for an honest review.