It starts with a simple lie. Well, maybe not a lie—more like a mutual agreement to ignore the obvious. If you’ve spent any time on BookTok lately, you’ve definitely seen that bright pink and blue cover. Audre and Bash Are Just Friends is the Young Adult debut from Tia Williams, and honestly, the title is the biggest prank of 2025.
Everyone knows they aren't just friends. Not really.
But that’s the hook, right? We’ve all been there—trying to convince ourselves that the person making our heart do backflips is just a "work colleague" or a "study buddy." In Audre Mercy-Moore’s case, Bash Henry is her "fun consultant." Yeah, okay. If hiring a mysterious, jewelry-wearing, floppy-haired guy to help you check off a "wild" summer bucket list counts as strictly professional, then I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
The Story Behind the Hype
Audre isn't exactly a new face. If you read Williams’ adult bestseller Seven Days in June, you remember Audre as the precocious, whip-smart 12-year-old daughter of Eva Mercy. Fast forward a few years, and she’s sixteen, stressed, and drowning in "Type-A" expectations.
She’s the junior class president. She’s the debate captain. She literally runs an unofficial therapy business for her classmates. Basically, she’s a girl who needs to touch grass.
Enter Bash.
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Bash Henry is the quintessential new guy at Cheshire Prep. He’s got that California-cool energy, a messy past involving a fallout with his track-coach father, and a job at a tattoo parlor. When Audre’s dad cancels her Malibu summer, she’s stuck in a cramped Brooklyn apartment with her mom, her stepdad Shane, and a baby she calls the "Goblin Baby."
To save her Stanford admissions essay, she decides she needs "life experience." She hires Bash to help her complete the Experience Challenge.
What’s on the list?
The "challenges" aren't exactly Mission Impossible. We’re talking:
- Learning to surf at Rockaway Beach (and failing spectacularly).
- Navigating a scorching Manhattan heatwave.
- Finding a legendary "Smurf lunchbox" buried in the sand.
- Facing actual, terrifying emotions without a checklist.
Why Audre and Bash Are Just Friends Hits Different
The magic isn't just in the "will-they-won't-they." It’s the way Tia Williams handles the heavy stuff. This isn't just a fluffy beach read. It tackles generational trauma and the pressure of being a "perfect" Black girl in elite spaces.
Audre is terrified of becoming a mess like her mom used to be. She uses her 3-3-3 rule to manage panic attacks—a real-world grounding technique where you name three things you see, three sounds you hear, and move three parts of your body.
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Bash has his own scars. He was disowned by his father after a complicated situation involving his identity and a kiss back in California. He’s not just a "bad boy" trope; he’s a kid who’s been deeply hurt and is trying to find a version of masculinity that doesn't involve winning at all costs.
They’re both "performing" for the world. Audre performs perfection; Bash performs indifference. When they’re together, the masks slip.
The "Friends" Label is a Total Trap
Let’s talk about the chemistry. The dialogue in this book is fast. It’s very Gilmore Girls meets Gossip Girl, but with a modern Brooklyn soul.
They text. A lot.
Bash tells her that her smile is contagious. Audre tries to stay "professional" while literally getting a tattoo from him. There’s a specific scene involving a 333 tattoo that is probably one of the most intimate moments in YA literature recently, and nobody even takes their clothes off. It’s all about the longing.
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The tension peaks around the Fourth of July. Audre, terrified of the "butterflies," tries to call the whole thing off. She tells Bash they shouldn't see each other outside the challenges. It’s a classic self-sabotage move. Bash is hurt, she’s miserable, and the readers are screaming at their pages.
Real-World Takeaways from the Novel
If you’re looking for more than just a story, the book actually offers some pretty solid life advice for anyone feeling "behind" in life.
- Experience isn't a checklist. Audre tries to "manufacture" fun to look good for college. By the end, she realizes the most important experiences were the ones she didn't plan—like the messy conversations with her mom about the past.
- Vulnerability is the real "Experience Challenge." Bash and Audre only truly connect when they stop trying to be the "fun consultant" or the "perfect student."
- Healing isn't linear. The book doesn't fix everything with a kiss. Audre still has to deal with her trauma from a previous prom night, and Bash still has to navigate his relationship with his mother.
Honestly, the best part of the book is seeing Eva and Shane from Seven Days in June through the eyes of a teenager. To the world, they’re famous authors and a power couple. To Audre, they’re just annoying parents who are way too worried about her. It’s a hilarious and humbling perspective shift for fans of the original book.
How to get the most out of the read
If you haven't picked it up yet, try the audiobook. It’s a dual-narrator format, which means you get to hear Bash’s "floppy" California accent and Audre’s fast-talking Brooklyn energy in real-time. It makes the "just friends" banter feel way more authentic.
Whether you’re a teen navigating your own summer of firsts or an adult looking for a nostalgia hit that doesn't skip the hard truths, this one stays with you. Just don't believe the title for a second.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check out Tia Williams’ earlier work, Seven Days in June, if you want the full backstory on Audre’s family. If you’ve already finished the book and need something similar, look into A Love Song for Ricki Wilde for more of that magical, emotional Brooklyn atmosphere. Finally, practice the 3-3-3 grounding method next time you feel a "Type-A" spiral coming on—it’s the most practical thing Audre ever learned.