Sammy Espinoza’s Last Review

Bestselling YA author Mejia (We Set the Dark on Fire) makes their adult debut with a smart second-chance romance that packs a hefty emotional punch. Sammy Espinoza’s career as a music critic is in jeopardy after it comes out that she gave her ex-girlfriend’s mediocre band falsely positive reviews in hopes of winning her back. She has one chance to save her job: get an exclusive interview from reclusive former rock star Max Ryan, who’s rumored to have a long-awaited debut solo album in the works—and who ghosted Sammy after one “magical” night together 10 years before the book’s start. Sammy’s hoping she can use his guilt over this to her advantage, and is taken by surprise when Max doesn’t remember her and asks her out all over again. She says yes, planning to charm him into opening up before revealing their history and her true motives. As they begin to date, however, she finds herself falling for Max all over again, especially as he supports her through some family turmoil. Sammy proves a delightfully snarky and quick-witted narrator and a subplot about her digging into her complicated family history adds both depth and nuance to this heartfelt rom-com. This is a knockout. (July)