Whenever You’re Ready by Rachel Runya Katz is a heartfelt romance interwoven with themes of history, trauma, loss, and identity.
The story follows Nia and Jade, once childhood best friends who drifted apart after a falling out. Reunited by a request from their late mutual friend Michal, the two set out on an emotional road trip. Michal, who passed away from cancer, left behind letters with birthday messages for Nia and Jade, and the one for their 29th birthdays includes a special request: to take the road trip the three friends once planned, exploring Jewish history in the American South, including their own family histories. Along for the journey is Jonah, Michal’s boyfriend and Jade’s twin brother.
The trip rekindles the old dynamics between the three, but unresolved romantic tension lingers between Nia and Jade. Katz masterfully layers this slow-burn romance with explorations of grief, generational trauma, and the history of Jewish and Black communities. Though the romance is touching, the real strength of the novel lies in its poignant reflection on friendship, sibling bonds, and the impact of painful memories.
