Love & Lattes

Days before starting an intense summer internship at the London-based Arrowmile electric vehicle manufacturer, ambitious 19-year-old Annalise Sherwood, who doesn’t “believe in love,” meets charismatic Lloyd, who’s a “ ‘love at first sight’ kind of guy.” Despite a quick connection and an amazing kiss, they part without making plans to stay in touch. But on her first day at Arrowmile, Annalise runs into Lloyd, who turns out to be the CEO’s son. To avoid distractions and the appearance of impropriety, Annalise refuses to date him. Even still, they end up hanging out together constantly anyway and, eventually, Annalise must untangle her priorities—and her feelings—or risk losing her opportunity to obtain everything she’s ever wanted. Though frothy on the surface, this seemingly straightforward workplace rom-com by Reekles (Beach Cute) digs into deeper examinations of caregivers and their actions’ effects on teens, as evidenced through Annalise’s drive to succeed to spite her absentee work-obsessed mother and Lloyd’s desire to escape his father’s expectations to chart his own course. The friction between the white-cued leads works to fuel their rivalry and slow-burning relationship in this satisfying and predictable romance. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)