I devoured Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler in one sweaty summer weekend, and it wrecked me in the best way possible. This queer YA rom-com delivers a bisexual Sliding Doors twist that feels fresh, raw, and ridiculously bingeable. Forget the stuffy, surface-level reviews on Goodreads my lived-in take dives deeper into Nat’s messy heart, audiobook magic, and bi rep that hits different. If you’ve ever stood at a life fork (NYC dreams vs. LA reality?), this book mirrors that chaos with swoony romance and real growth.

Meet Nat & Her Electric World

Natalya “Nat” Fox bursts off the page as every artistic, people-pleasing 18-year-old you’ve ever been. Fresh out of high school, this Jewish bisexual teen doodles graphic design dreams while her divorced parents yank her in opposite directions. NYC with Dad? That’s chasing theater-kid crush Ellie, a bold, unapologetic queer girl who sparks Nat’s girl-romance fire. LA with estranged Mom? Enter sunny surfer-guy Adam, whose unexpected depth flips her “girls only” script.

I felt Nat’s indecision in my gut she’s not a flawless heroine; she’s messy, overthinking every text, every touch. Ellie brings fierce energy (think Heartstopper’s bold side); Adam surprises with emotional layers beyond the “straight guy savior” trope. Family sidekicks elevate stakes: Dad’s loving but clueless, Mom’s reconnection hits raw. No flat stereotypes here Adler crafts a world where bisexuality thrives without “pick a lane” pressure, outshining shallower YA reps in books like I Kissed Shara Wheeler. Nat’s Jewish roots weave in naturally (Shabbat dinners, cultural nods), adding warmth competitors overlook.

While this book uses dual timelines rather than sci-fi mechanics, if you love stories where time and choices collide, you should definitely check out my list of the 15 Best YA Time Travel Books You Need to Read in 2026.

Who It’s For: Queer YA readers craving rom-coms with identity depth, summer flings that evolve, or Sliding Doors “what ifs.” If What If It’s Us made you swoon, level up here.

Plot Rollercoaster: Dual Timelines That Slay

Nat’s post-grad summer splits like a choose-your-own-adventure on steroids. NYC Path: She dives into Dad’s world Broadway buzz, sweaty subway crushes, and Ellie-fueled theater magic. Banter crackles; first kisses ignite under city lights. But self-doubt creeps: Is this real love or escape?

LA Path: Mom’s Hollywood hustle introduces Adam amid palm trees and beach bonfires. Sparks fly unexpectedly guy romance challenges Nat’s bi awakening. Career panic mounts: Will her art portfolio survive family chaos?

Adler weaves dual stories seamlessly no whiplash confusion, just escalating “which life wins?” tension. Pacing flies: 100 pages of laughs (witty group chats had me cackling), 150 of gut-punches (identity crises feel lived-in, not preachy), 80 of swoony peaks (both romances sizzle authentically girl path edges steamier with raw vulnerability). I flipped at 2 AM, yelling “No spoilers!” to myself.

The ending? Empowering genius no forced choice, just Nat owning her fluidity. Beats predictable arcs in competitor reviews (e.g., megsbookrack notes pacing dips; I disagree it’s propulsive). Triggers integrate thoughtfully: self-harm mention fuels growth, not shock value. This isn’t rom-com fluff; it’s therapy wrapped in escapism.

Themes That Hit Home & Linger

Bisexuality commands the spotlight Nat claims her “both/and” identity amid romance, career fears, and Jewish family ties. Adler crushes self-discovery: No grand “coming out” speech; just quiet power in choosing yourself over others’ scripts. Family reconciliation stings sweet divorce scars heal through awkward talks, not miracles.

Career uncertainty resonates hard: Nat’s graphic design hustle mirrors post-grad panic (portfolio rejections? Been there). Queer joy thrives in chaos NYC pride parades, LA beach queerness painting bi life as vibrant, not tragic. Competitors skim this; I felt seen in every “Am I enough?” whisper. Adler’s voice (from Cool for the Summer) shines: Fun-first with depth that sticks.