Publishers Weekly
★ 05/06/2019
Insecurities, misunderstandings, and pride lead to a feud that ignites into passion in this sweet YA romance by Safi (Not the Girls You’re Looking For). In Los Angeles, Jewish-Mexican Rachel Recht is both poor and brilliant. She’s determined to make a name for herself as a director, and her next big steps all depend on her senior project, which is coming apart at the seams. Then her film teacher forces her to cast her archnemesis, perpetually perfect cheerleader Sana Khan, in a film to showcase by the end of the month. Mean-while, Persian–South Asian Sana is chafing under living up to her family’s expectations that she attend Princeton and become a surgeon. When Sana begins to work closely with her crush-turned-enemy, she is forced out of predictable patterns and in turn helps Rachel resolve some of her aggression. As the two of them embrace their feelings for each other, they find the confidence to step into the futures each hopes to create. A beautifully diverse cast, a hopeful look at growing up, and a blossoming spring romance between well-developed characters are sure to spark joy in teen readers. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren MacLeod, the Strothman Agency. (June)
From the Publisher
Not the Girls You're Looking For:
"These authentic teen girls are smart, complicated, sexual, and sensitive. Their friendships can be mean and messy, but they are also fiercely loyal. This rich story also explores biracial and mixed culture identity (Lulu has a white mom and an Arab dad) in all its joys and struggles." —School Library Journal
"As hilarious as it is heartwarming, this beautiful story about family, friendships, and one amazingly complex teenage girl will leave you begging for more." —Sandhya Menon, New York Times bestselling author of When Dimple Met Rishi
"Deftly written and darkly funny." —Katy Upperman,author of Kissing Max Holden
School Library Journal
★ 05/01/2019
Gr 9 Up—Two high school seniors find their voices and first love in this enemies-to-lovers story told from dual perspectives. Brusque and controlling filmmaker Rachel Recht, a Jewish scholarship student at the prestigious Royce School, wants nothing to do with Sana Khan, cheerleading captain and model human being. But when a literal run-in forces them to work together on a film, their tense relationship morphs into something beautiful and unexpected. As they collaborate, they begin to share their most private feelings. Sana, who is Muslim, reveals that she's been having a crisis about her future, hasn't sent her down payment to Princeton, and has secretly applied to a fellowship. Rachel knows she's NYU-bound if the scholarship funds come through, but her future is in jeopardy if she can't get this last film finished. Working together on this project about a woman forging her own path could be transformative for both, if only they could stop arguing and misjudging each other's intentions. Determined to find success on their own terms, the ambitious girls learn to stand up for themselves as they challenge, support, and infuriate each other. Immensely readable with strong characters and quick, clever dialogue, this romance has real depth. Though there is no question that the girls will end up together, it's a joy to watch them fumble toward their eventual happy ending. As much about finding yourself as it is about finding love, this smart, feminist story shows that expectations shouldn't dictate the future. VERDICT This well-written and supremely satisfying romance should be in all collections.—Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elementary School, Rosemount, MN
