The Reel Life of Zara Kegg

Three years after her mother’ s death, 16-year-old Zara is still settling into life in Carolina Beach, N.C., where she knows almost no one. Working as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre— a rundown movie house that shows only vintage ’ 50s sci-fi and horror flicks— Zara spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups, and the occasional existential crisis (with popcorn).

Then she meets Zachary, whose “ Z” name feels like fate. His clothes don’ t match, his stories don’...