NetGalley: Checking you Out by Jennifer Chen
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Published: 6/23/2026
Pages: 320
Genre: YA Romance
Review: NetGalley and Publisher ARC
Lizzie Wei is a huge book nerd, and proud of it. And when she realizes there is a mysterious reader who has been checking out all of her favorite books from the library, she can’t help but get a crush on someone she’s never even met. Her friends make it their mission to find Lizzie’s long lost book soulmate and convinces her to leave notes for her crush. But what if the person Lizzie is looking for, isn’t at all what she expects?
Dylan Lin loves reading, secretly anyway. Ever since a bullying incident at his last school, he’s hidden his love of fantasy novels, instead leaning into his jock persona. Now he's the tennis team captain, runs every day, and actively avoids reading. So, when he decides to start volunteering at a kitten nursery, and his super cute co-volunteer Lizzie asks if he likes reading, he says no. He never expects the look of complete and utter disappointment on Lizzie’s face.
Lizzie is certain her secret crush isn’t Dylan. It can’t be! But when he accidentally makes an obscure reference to her favorite book during their volunteer shift, she’s not so sure anymore. Can Lizzie forgive Dylan for lying? And can Dylan be brave enough to be himself?
Dylan Lin loves reading, secretly anyway. Ever since a bullying incident at his last school, he’s hidden his love of fantasy novels, instead leaning into his jock persona. Now he's the tennis team captain, runs every day, and actively avoids reading. So, when he decides to start volunteering at a kitten nursery, and his super cute co-volunteer Lizzie asks if he likes reading, he says no. He never expects the look of complete and utter disappointment on Lizzie’s face.
Lizzie is certain her secret crush isn’t Dylan. It can’t be! But when he accidentally makes an obscure reference to her favorite book during their volunteer shift, she’s not so sure anymore. Can Lizzie forgive Dylan for lying? And can Dylan be brave enough to be himself?
Okay, I am going to be honest with you. I didn't expect this book to be so cheesy, but in a good way. This is perfect for the teenagers and my high school students, I think they will enjoy it.
For myself, it was one that I started and then stopped, only because it isn't my normal sorta read. This book is a clean romance book and so cute. Our main character, Lizzie, and her friends are readers, and Lizzie helps out with the animal shelter. Then Lizzie finds out someone is reading her favorite books from the library. How cool and sweet is that? Will Lizzie and her dream guy end up being together? Who knows.
Dylan, oh, he is just a sweet guy who was bullied, but is hoping to be seen. He is just the great guy that you want to see getting the girl of his dreams.
There is a lot of talk about animals, and it does sometimes overshadow a bit of the plot.
You can't help but love the characters, and even the friends are so supportive and loving to Lizzie.
The writing did seem to be a bit repetitive at times, and that does knock it down a rating.
Jennifer Chen is a freelance journalist who has written for print and online, including pieces in the New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, and Bust. She earned an MFA and BFA in dramatic writing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and is a proud alumnae of Hedgebrook, a women’s writing residency. She lives in Los Angeles with her TV writer husband, twins, two pugs, and a smoky black cat named Gremlin.
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