Praise for Promise Me Something

“High school as a crucible of character is a mainstay of teen fiction, but seldom have its dilemmas and dramas been so precisely re-created in all their brutal, claustrophobic intensity as in this debut: part morality play, part suspense tale…Compelling, honest storytelling.” – Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)

“Kocek’s hard-hitting first novel offers smart dialogue, sharp descriptions, and a plot that unfolds in unexpected ways, as she explores the destructive power of casual, everyday homophobia…” – Publishers Weekly

“Promise Me Something tackles weighty issues of harassment, family dysfunction, suicide, and homophobia within the context of adolescent identity and friendship, while maintaining the focus of the story on characters whose complexity feels real and whose lives may be our own, our next door neighbor’s, or our best friend’s.” – VOYA

“The heavy themes are explored as gently as possible without glossing over uncomfortable situations. All of these elements, including a plot twist, make this book a better-than-average problem novel.”  – School Library Journal

“…the topics of bullying and LGBT teens are well chosen and provide realistic insights into discrimination of gay teens.” – Booklist