August 21, 2023
High school senior Whitney Rivera, who is bisexual and Puerto Rican, had a difficult, lonely summer. First, her boyfriend moved from Massachusetts to New Hampshire. Then, after enduring months of chronic pain, she’s finally diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome, resulting in a summer spent in and out of doctors’ appointments. It doesn’t help that weight gain, facial hair growth, and constant exhaustion—all symptoms of PCOS—caused Whit to emotionally withdraw. Determined to have a perfect year, she plans to take charge of her school’s annual Fall Fest, a weeklong homecoming celebration. But her grand plans are derailed when her ex-boyfriend and archenemy, Afro-Latino Isaiah “Zay” Ortiz, volunteers to help. What’s more, tensions arise at home when Whit’s autistic younger sister Lily seeks independence from Whit’s protectiveness as she begins high school. As Whit’s personal issues cause mental strain, she’s pleasantly surprised by Zay’s serious commitment to festival planning, shifting her perception of him—and their relationship. Vivid prose by Maldonado (No Filter and Other Lies), paired with ample romantic and lighthearted antics, aids in levying serious interrogations of anti-fatness, chronic illness, and medical gaslighting, making for a compassionate and cozy read. Ages 14–up. Agent: Tamar Rydzinski, Context Literary.
