Summer Days and Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories

Readers will be enticed by more than steamy romance in this volume of contemporary love stories from 12 popular authors, a summery companion to My True Love Gave to Me. The selections, ranging in tone from heartfelt to spooky to downright outlandish, find passion springing from some very unexpected places. Lev Grossman’s protagonists, Mark and Margaret, are drawn together in a Boston suburb where time stands still. Cassandra Clare’s Lulu Darke unexpectedly finds a kindred spirit at her father’s dark carnival: “You know the drill. Evil clowns lurching out of the shadows, blood on their puffy white gloves.” Even stories with more conventional settings—like Jennifer E. Smith’s tale recounting the growing affection between a day-camp counselor and a withdrawn, disabled young man—offer unexpected twists and turns. In all cases, the authors captivatingly render the vulnerabilities of teenagers tentatively navigating the confusing maze of first love. Offering a sampling of many different genres, bright and distinct narrative voices, and a generous portion of tender moments, this book has something for everyone who has loved or longs for it. Ages 13–up. Agent: Kate Schafer Testerman, KT Literary. (May)