“Cosplay culture takes center stage in this winsome romance . . . Emrich’s debut showcases a multidimensional protagonist navigating the predominantly White spaces of comic conventions and anime and manga fandom while trying to fit in at school. Ramona’s yearnings to find her way and to be understood are relatable and angst-filled. An enjoyable look at identity and what it means to belong and to stand out.”
— Kirkus Reviews
“Emrich uses Ramona’s shy ventures beyond her comfort zone and slow evolution into a more confident version of herself to develop a wholesome and bighearted debut about quirky characters boldly embracing their idiosyncrasies, learning that it’s okay to stand out, and challenging the assumptions placed upon them.”
— Publisher's Weekly
"You don't have to be a nerd to have a crush on this book. But as a nerd, I crushed on this book so hard. A fun, heartfelt, and adorkable read."
"A love letter to nerd culture, penned by a cosplaying Black girl with a secret crush. What more could you want?"
"With a light touch, humor, and honesty, Alisha Emrich’s NerdCrush delves into issues of family expectations, the mistakes we make in the name of first love, and the big chances we take to win the heart of our crushes. Lovers of cosplay and big romantic gestures won’t be disappointed.”
“Chic geeks everywhere will appreciate this new novel from Emrich.”
— SLJ
