Having seen this hyped up as an upcoming release I was delighted to be accepted to read this as an e-arc by netgalley.

It hugely critique's the media and how different social divisions such as race, class. education and more can impact how media and the public pay attention, especially in the case of missing people.

Some of our main characters have experienced such losses already so deja disappearing is another hurt they don't need. Originally designed as a social science project to bring attention to the differences observed in media and social attention in these missing people cases, something goes really wrong.

The villain of this story is completely unexpected, and when the plot twist was revealed my jaw honestly dropped. Addressing themes of grief, chronic illness, race and class differences as well as the unconditional love between best friends this is truly a book all need to read.

This story follows Sariyah, a Black teen with the gift of premonitions, as she searches for her missing friend, Deja, in a city where missing Black girls are often overlooked. Alongside its gripping mystery, this book shines a powerful light on the racial disparities in how missing persons cases are handled.

It’s no secret that when Black children go missing, their cases often receive less attention compared to their white counterparts. This reality is woven into the story, adding urgency to Sariyah’s determination to make sure Deja isn’t forgotten. It’s a poignant reminder of the importance of amplifying these voices and demanding justice for everyone, regardless of race.

This was an enjoyable and gripping read that kept me guessing with its twists and dodgy characters. While the ending left me with mixed feelings, it did spark a lot of thought about the complexities of addressing systemic issues and making bold statements.

With its compelling story and layered characters tackling real-life challenges like sickle cell, ADHD, and depression, this is more than just a mystery—it’s a story that stays with you.

I was happy to receive an ARC of this book on NetGalley!

This book was a good YA read! I appreciated the believability of the characters in terms of the cultural nuances that were embedded into the writing. This book gave the reader various paces i.e. in some areas in was fast paced and in others slower paced, however, this provided some space for building relationships and getting to know the characters on a deeper level. I believe this would be a good book to utilise within schools as there are some deep central themes that would encourage critical thinking. For example, the theme of discrimination (white privilege/white fragility). This book tackles some real-life issues which are needed to get the conversation rolling.

Incredible debut novel !! Everything a YA thriller should be, with twists and turns which kept me guessing the whole way through. The added unique ability of the FMC only added to the suspense. I cannot wait for what’s to come next from Channelle - easy 5 stars !!

Seventeen-year-old Sariyah (Ri) has the ability to hear people's needs, a gift she's had since childhood. When her best friend Deja mysteriously vanishes before a music festival, Ri uses her gift and social media to investigate and stumbles on some clues making her suspect Deja's stepdad, all while questioning if Deja's disappearance could be linked to the earlier vanishing of Ri's other friend, Tessa. The book touches on important social issues and is a well-written, engaging read.

The book was a brilliant young adult read that tackled important issues such as racism and various real-life challenges. I found it incredibly interesting as it delved deep into these topics, providing valuable insights. Additionally, the unexpected twists and turns throughout the story kept me engaged from start to finish. I want to extend a big thanks to the author and the editorial team for granting me access to this solidly written book.

This book was quite a slow burn, with things ramping up more in the last third of the book.
We follow 17 year old Sariyah, who can hear what other people need and needs to act on it or she feels bad.
Her bff Malcom’s sister goes missing 5 years before, and during a festival her other bff, Deja goes missing.
The book does an impressive job highlighting that missing people (in USA), have a higher chance of being found if they are Caucasian. Which is inherently disgusting.
Reading the story from a POC, already disappointed with the system and justice at 17 is heartbreaking.
Ri is fleshed out very well, as are the people in the story.
Most of the book, could have used a slightly higher pace, but what took me most out of it at times was conversation Ri, Malcom and Jude seem way more mature and in depth than an average 17-year old. Might have made more sense to have this story set with them a little older in college. Still it was an interesting and profound book.

Sariyah has an unusual ‘gift’: she can sense people’s needs and therefore carries round her Santa bag full of those items and will often hand out items before people even know they need them. However, this can cause problems both for her and the recipients. When her friend goes missing from a music festival, Sariyah feels guilty that she wasn’t looking out for her and so starts to investigate.

This is a fantastic YA novel for fans of crime/murder mystery but it also brings other issues to the fore. A great read and I’ll certainly be buying it for my school library.

What a fantastic debut!! I wish I had gotten a physical proof of this so bad for my shelves!!

17 year old Sariyah is no stranger to the heartbreak of losing a friend even at her young age. So when another of her best friends goes missing she knows she has to do everything possible to find her. And she has her own gift to aid her in her search.

This book has everything! I don't think it was lacking in any area! Teen angst, the difficulties of navigating friendships and school. Mental health issues both within the young adults but also parents and how that impacts children.

This book is also a sad reflection of the world today in how social and economic dynamics effect how visual someone's plight is made by the media and shared by the general public.

I found I really resonated not only with Sariyah but also Malcolm, Sariyah's mother & several other characters.

I was constantly kept guessing through and didn't have this figured out at all even though I thought I did!!

I can't wait to read what Channelle writes next!!

I really enjoyed the bulk of this YA mystery with a fascinating premise and interesting use of speculative elements in a tense and layered mystery. However, the ending was a slight disappointment for me – feeling a bit rushed and muddled.

Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours is a compelling blend of mystery, heartfelt emotion, and social commentary. At its core is Sariyah Lee Bryant, a teenager with a unique ability: she can sense what people need—specific, tangible items like a pencil or a phone charger. While this gift might seem trivial at first glance, it carries heavy implications, especially when one of her friends, Deja, vanishes shortly after Sariyah fulfils a need for her.

This isn’t Sariyah’s first encounter with tragedy. She’s painfully aware of how often missing Black girls are overlooked, their stories forgotten by the authorities and media. Determined to break this cycle, Sariyah rallies her friends to investigate Deja’s disappearance themselves. But as her personal life spirals—her mother loses her job, her younger brother’s sickle cell disease worsens—Sariyah is stretched to breaking point.

Desperate for cash and answers, she turns to hustling her ability, a choice that not only sharpens her focus on Deja’s fate but places her directly in harm’s way. Sariyah’s journey is fraught with twists and turns, blending tension-filled moments with deeply emotional ones.

Channelle Desamours crafts a story that delivers everything—edge-of-your-seat suspense, moments of levity, heartbreak, and a cast of unforgettable characters. Sariyah is a brilliantly nuanced protagonist, navigating the pressures of adolescence, systemic injustice, and the burdens of her extraordinary ability. The narrative shines a stark light on societal neglect and systemic inequities, offering a haunting yet vital commentary on the value placed on certain lives over others.

The book’s pacing is expertly handled, keeping readers hooked with its mystery while leaving space for tender, human moments. By the end, the characters feel like friends, and the story’s poignant message will stay with you long after the final page.

Needy Little Things is a rare gem—a gripping mystery wrapped in a deeply moving narrative that refuses to shy away from tough realities. Channelle Desamours has delivered a must-read that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

Sariyah is plagued by 'hearing' the needs of everyone she encounters except for those people closest to her. When her best friend, Tessa, went missing 5 years previously there was nothing she could do so when Deja goes missing too, she is determined to find her. A great YA debut.

As well as dealing with a missing girl, the story also explores aspects of racism, family relationships and friendships in ways that carry a strong message. The characters were easy to warm to, especially Sariyah who puts others before herself, even when her own world feels like it is collapsing around her.

This was a great read - I would like to meet Sariyah again!

Needy Little Things is a YA mystery/thriller, which follows a teenage girl named Sariyah, who has the ability to telepathically hear exactly what a person needs, even before they know they need it. Familiar with fulfilling basic needs like chewing gum or pens, things take a dark turn when strangers’ needs start becoming a little more violent, and one of her closest friends goes missing at a music festival after sending out a telepathic need for pepper spray.

Struggling to come to terms with her intense family life, the disappearance of her friend, and the sudden overwhelming guilt that her gift may actually become a curse, Sariyah throws herself into solving Deja’s disappearance, and it becomes quickly obvious that she can trust nobody at all, not even her own ability.

This is one of the best YA thrillers I’ve read in a long time! It has major Good-Girl’s-Guide-to-Murder vibes, but sensitively tackles a few more serious issues as well, like media & race, mental illness and drug abuse.

Sariyah is a really strong protagonist, and I liked quite a few of the side characters too, particularly when their own secrets started to be revealed. The added element of a psychic ability made this feel really fresh and unique, and I found myself picking it up at every opportunity, and unable to put it down when I did.

I would absolutely recommend to anyone who likes high-school mysteries like One of Us is Lying and AGGTM, and am SO excited to pick up whatever the author writes next.

This was a quick read. Perfect for a lazy reading evening.
While this had some moments showing important topics, that I wish was done a little deeper. The overall story didn't wow me.

This is a wonderful book for children and adults. I’m going to say read the book just so you understand the last few paragraphs. They had me in tears. The bit before that is exciting and well worth reading too! Needs are not easy to understand. All Sariyah knows is that she senses other’s needs, and her brain won’t settle until she gives that needed item. She doesn’t know why they are needed, and right now she finds herself in an emotional mess because the ripples of consequential fallout of her gifted items is emotionally draining. And her best friend has disappeared too. What a mess. Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (Uk & ANZ) and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

A slow start, strong middle and a slightly disappointing end. Needy Little Things was a good read overall, but I was frustrated by the reveal.

I loved this book. It felt like an optimal young adult read, for me. It was adult enough without being too much and the story and characters held their own. A real twist on a missing kid story that could have held its own but was elevated with the addition of a character with a very unusual special ability. A great read. Thank you for my ARC copy.

Our main character is seventeen year old Sariyah (Ri) who has a very special gift. She can hear the needs of people in her head. From everyday items like gum and phone chargers to more important items. . Since she was a little girl, she has been best friends with twins, Malcolm and Tessa until Tessa vanishes one day.

When preparing to attend a music festival with her friends, Ri picks up that Deja is in need of pepper spray. Ri ensures that Deja has some and does her best to keep an eye on Deja at all times - but whilst queueing for the toilet, Deja disappears.

Ri utilises all of the social media platforms available to her to raise awareness of Deja's disappearance. Ri recalls that Deja had been acting differently just before she went missing and who was she secretly texting? Ri discovers a lock on Deja's bedroom door and is getting some really weird vibes from her step-father. Did Deja run away? Was she in trouble and could her disappearance have anything to do with Tessa's too?

There are some really good points made by the author on many social issues that are very important. This is a very well written book that I enjoyed.

This thriller was unique in its setup as it's not often you read thrillers where the MC has a sort of superpower. The setup is done well and the characters are differentiated enough that you can tell them apart (which is often a problem when writing a large cast). There were quite a few red herrings as well which kept the reader on the toes.

I will say though that the ending disappointed me - but that might just be me! Even so, it was a captivating read and one I'd recommend if you're looking for a heavier thriller looking into important themes.

This YA thriller follows Sariyah, a teenager with ADHD and a talent for knowing what people need before they need it. The downside is she gets a massive headache if she doesn’t fulfil those needs. She begins to question this skill when her friend goes missing after having a need fulfilled.

While this book highlights the difference in treatment of missing person’s cases according to race, I found that the focus was more on the impact of the messy intricacies of adult relationships and family dynamics, with problematic mothers and generational trauma playing a central role to the story.

Mental health and neurodiversity are explored with care, showing how shutting down and privatising pain can leave loved ones helpless or even resentful. It shows how consuming conditions can be, and how hyper-individualism can push people further apart. For Riya, the compulsion to hide her struggles clearly stems from her grandmother, tracing a painful line through the family. There was a poignant message around the importance of connection and community in this digital age.

I would have loved a deeper exploration of the missing people themselves and more specific examples of how the difference in treatment looks in the media.

I didn’t guess the twist which was suitably strange but led to a satisfying climax. The ending left me like this: 😲. That’s all I think I can say besides sequel? Please?

Overall I would recommend this to everyone. I flew through it in a couple of days because I couldn’t put it down. I found the characters relatable and authentic and Sariyah’s relationship with her mother and how it progressed broke me and healed me at the same time. Definitely one to add to the wish list!