Going Bicoastal

The ending of 'Going Bicoastal' is this gorgeous, heartwarming culmination of Natalya’s summer split between NYC and LA. After bouncing between coasts and two potential love interests—Adam on the East Coast and Ellie on the West—she realizes she doesn’t have to choose between her passions or even between people. It’s less about picking a side and more about embracing the messy, beautiful duality of her life.

What stuck with me was how Natalya’s growth isn’t tied to a traditional 'winner' in the love triangle. Instead, she gains clarity about what she wants from relationships and her creative future. The final scenes with her dad repairing their strained bond hit harder than any romance, honestly. It’s a story about self-discovery where the 'endgame' is Natalya herself.

I picked up 'Going Bicoastal' on a whim after seeing it recommended in a book club, and I'm so glad I did! The dual narrative structure is refreshing—following Natalya as she splits her summer between NYC and LA, trying to decide where she truly belongs. The way the author contrasts the two cities through her eyes is vivid, almost like tasting two different flavors of ice cream side by side. The romance subplots are sweet but don’t overshadow her personal growth, which I appreciated.

What really hooked me was how relatable Natalya’s dilemmas felt. Choosing between two paths, fearing regret, and discovering unexpected parts of yourself along the way? That’s universal. The supporting cast adds depth too, especially her relationships with family and friends. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories with a side of self-discovery and a sprinkle of romance, this one’s a gem. I finished it in two sittings—couldn’t put it down!

I just finished 'Going Bicoastal' last week, and wow, the characters really stuck with me! The story follows Natalya Fox, a biracial Jewish girl who's torn between spending the summer in NYC with her dad or in LA with her estranged mom. The coolest part? The book splits into two timelines, showing both paths. In NYC, she meets Adam, a sweet, neurodivergent artist who’s into sustainable fashion, and in LA, there’s Talia, a free-spirited musician who challenges Natalya’s comfort zone. The dual narrative lets you see how Natalya grows differently in each setting—her NYC arc is more introspective, while LA pushes her to take risks. The supporting cast, like her dad’s quirky girlfriend or Talia’s activist friends, add so much flavor. Honestly, I couldn’t pick which timeline I loved more!

What’s brilliant is how Dahlia Adler writes Natalya’s voice—funny, vulnerable, and so real. Her struggles with identity, family, and first loves feel relatable whether you’ve lived in both coasts or not. And the romance? Adam and Talia are such distinct love interests, but neither feels like a ‘better’ choice—just different shades of growth for Natalya. The book’s a love letter to self-discovery, with messy, imperfect characters you root for.

The protagonist in 'Going Bicoastal,' Natalya, makes the move from New York to Los Angeles primarily to reconnect with her estranged mother and explore a side of her life she’s never really known. It’s one of those decisions that feels equal parts impulsive and inevitable—like she’s been tethered to her dad’s world in NYC for so long that the pull of something unfamiliar becomes impossible to ignore. The book does a great job of capturing that messy, emotional crossroads where curiosity and unresolved family stuff collide. Natalya’s not just chasing a change of scenery; she’s trying to piece together parts of herself that feel missing, and that’s what makes her journey so relatable.

What I love about her move is how it mirrors that universal itch to reinvent yourself, even if just for a summer. LA represents this glittering unknown, full of possibilities her structured NYC life doesn’t offer—like the chance to dabble in creative fields, meet people who don’t already have preconceptions about her, and maybe even fall for someone who sees her differently. The book plays with the idea of parallel timelines, too, so the move isn’t just physical; it’s this pivotal choice that splinters her story into two directions. It’s less about running away and more about running toward something, even if she doesn’t fully understand what that 'something' is yet. By the end, you get why the city switch matters—it’s not just a backdrop, but a catalyst for all the growth and chaos that follows.