Romance and Relationships

Celeste has been looking forward to the long summer ahead of her — helping out at her parent’s resort and spending time with her boyfriend, Travis, who also works there. Everything is going perfectly until Nick arrives. Nick has flirted with Celeste every summer and keeps it up this summer, even in front of Travis. Will Celeste be able to stay true to her boyfriend, or will Nick’s flirting get the best of her?

Sixteen-year-old November has just lost her boyfriend Josh in an unfortunate accident. She also found out that she is pregnant with his baby. While she deals with the drama in her own life, Josh’s cousin and best friend, Jericho, is also reeling from the unexpected death. Will Jericho be able to support November through the worst time in both of their lives?

Spoon and Gabi are in love and decide to stay together, even after Spoon leaves Harlem to spend his senior year at a prestigious prep school. When he comes home during break, he discovers that Gabi is addicted to heroin — “the beast.” Will Spoon and Gabi be able to resist the lure of street life and maintain their love for each other?

Emily has had a rough senior year of high school. She has to move from Chicago back to Boston and her boyfriend dumps her! Luckily, Emily meets up with some old friends and the girls complain how boys don’t know how to treat girls. Together, they create a book with a list of ways boys should behave. The girls convince Emily to try out their tips and tricks on Luke, the cutest boy in school. Will Emily finally find a guy who treats her well or will Luke be like all of the rest?

Belly loves the summertime, the beach house, and the two boys she has grown up with during past summers, Jeremiah and Conrad. This summer could be as fantastic as others… and more awful than any have ever been.

In many ways, Jason Peele is like any other teenager. He hits the books, hangs with his friends, flirts with girls, and omits the full truth of his life from his Aunt Audrey and Uncle Steve, who have raised him since his parents died. But there’s one way that Jason Peele is very different: when he dreams at night, it isn’t about girls; it’s about David Bowie. At sixteen-years-old, Jason is just beginning to understand that he might be gay.

Damien, the star of the basketball team is headed to college. Junice is trying to hold her family together after tragedy. When these two meet, there is nothing but love, even if Damien’s parents are less than thrilled with his choice. As the drama unfolds, each character tells his/her story through verse, leaving the reader to wonder if Damien and Junice be able to rise above the adversity that surrounds them.