From the Publisher
"Complex, compelling characters populate a satisfying romance." —Kirkus Review
“Full of wit and literary charm, this work is a romantic and compassionate look at two of an infinity of autistic experiences that examines the effects of burnout and masking, and the beauty beyond the struggles of being autistic.” —Booklist
“McNicoll empathetically presents Allegra’s struggles to fit in—whether because of her celebrity status or neurodivergence—across this honest tale about the brutal scrutiny of fame and self-perception, as well as a reassuring and cozy romance.” —Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
2025-05-16
World-renowned actor Allegra Brooks escapes her celebrity life for the summer and grapples with fame and love as an autistic person.
Eighteen-year-old Allegra is ready for a break from the Hollywood grind of being on set and going on press tours. She heads for the respite of quiet Lake Pristine, the small-town setting of 2024’sSome Like It Cold. She’s planning to spend time with her father, who owns a bookshop there and runs a popular annual book festival. This interlude provides Allegra with an experience unlike any she’s previously had: She gets to focus on making friends, working a normal job, and navigating the complexities of authentic relationships. She does all of this while trying to escape constant public scrutiny and find her way as an autistic person in a neurotypical world. When she meets Jonah Thorne, who’s also autistic, they form a deep and meaningful connection, although it’s fraught thanks to disagreements, romantic tension, and external forces working against them. Allegra is a beautiful, talented, mid-size, neurodivergent woman whose autism is described with nuance and honesty. Despite its richly drawn characters, the plot is unevenly paced, bogged down by a subplot involving a mysterious email correspondence that feels like an unnecessary complication. Characters largely present white.
Complex, compelling characters populate a satisfying romance with some plotting issues.(Romance. 14-18)
