Summer in the Invisible City

Romano (First There Was Forever) again explores long-time best friends growing apart, as well as the excitement and confusion of first love. Sadie Bell lives in New York City and dreams of reconnecting with her father, a famous artist. A photography class during the summer before Sadie’s senior year leads her to spend time with a pair of popular girls, who fascinate her but dismay and even disgust her friend Willa. Through Izzy and Phaedra, who’s “so pretty that just looking at her feels like staring,” Sadie runs into Noah, a boy who hurt her after an earlier hookup, and meets Sam, someone she could truly fall for. Romano’s novel wanders languorously through Sadie’s summer, treating readers to the same lushly detailed writing that distinguished her previous book (when Sadie and Sam visit Randall’s Island, “Trees canopy overhead and small diamonds of light and shadow swarm the world”). Relationships among friends, family, and romantic partners are the heart of Sadie’s life and her story, and readers will enjoy meandering through the joys and disappointments of this quiet, reflective teen. Ages 14–up. Agent: Logan Garrison, Gernert Company. (June)