"I always smile my way through a Julian Winters book. Remy's story of self-discovery is empowering and lovely." —Adam Silvera, NYT bestselling author of What If It's Us on How to Be Remy Cameron
"Winters does it again: a book about friendship, love, community, and the sometimes meandering path to adulthood, all in a great bear hug of a book that will keep your summer going." —L.C. Rosen, author of Camp
"Endearing...Wes’s problems are lifelike, and he’s surrounded by eccentric, supportive, and inspiring friends who challenge and encourage him." —Karen Rigby, Foreword Reviews
"This appealing book is hipper than hip (if it’s still hip to say hip), replete with au courant words like dope, noob, rad, chill, and sick, and boasts–er, hella likable, no, make that lovable characters, who are complex and beautifully realized. Winters (How to be Remy Cameron, 2019) clearly covers his bases ethnically and sexually—Wes is Black and biracial and Nico is Mexican American, while other characters identify as lesbian, aroace, and bisexual—but believably and welcomingly so. The resulting combination of rom-com and coming-of-age novel is an absolute delight from beginning to end and is highly recommended." —Michael Cart, Booklist
"VERDICT Hand this book to fans of realistic fiction looking for a quick, mostly light read that is full of heart." —Mindy Rhiger, School Library Journal
"As always, Julian Winters is here to tug at our heartstrings with a wildly endearing ensemble cast of lovable queer geeks. ... If you’re looking for an achingly relatable coming-of-age love story (with Empire Records vibes for days), look no further." —Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera, NY Times bestselling authors of What If It's Us?
2020-06-16
The summer before college is one to remember.
Recent high school grad Wesley Hudson, 18 and gay, is home in Santa Monica after a few weeks in Italy with his parents, a noted chef and a successful YA author. Wesley now has the summer to work at an indie bookshop, hang out with his co-workers, and spend quality time with his best friends, caustic, proudly fat Ella and skater Nico, before entering UCLA. Or does he? Wesley’s not really sure about college, leaving his home-away-from-home job, and being hours away from Nico, on whom he also has a crush. When Ella discovers the bookstore might be closing, it’s up to the gang to save the day while Wesley pursues Nico (and is pursued by hunky Manu). Wesley is biracial with a white mom and light-skinned black dad; Ella is white, and Nico is Mexican American. The inclusion of a range of ethnicities and queer cultures enriches the novel; however, the identity of an aromantic asexual bookstore friend is mentioned without much development. One weakness is teen characters who reference Madonna, listen to music produced before the year 2000, and love Empire Records and Buffy the Vampire Slayer—in short, they feel like, and will appeal most to, Millennials. Fans of the friends-to-lovers trope will enjoy the amusing voice.
A sweet beach read for adults but may not be as popular with teens. (Fiction. 14-adult)
