When the Vibe Is Right

After her parents’ deaths seven years ago, 17-year-old Beatrice “Tess” Crawford now lives with her aunt and uncle. Her family has always been part of the Carnival costume industry, and with dreams of becoming a designer herself, Tess has been working for her uncle, Russell Messina, from whom she is preparing to inherit the family masquerade band company, Grandeur. But newer bands are emerging on the scene, and the reappearance of an old rival holding a years-old grudge threatens Grandeur’s future. Refusing to watch the family business crumble, Tess enlists the help of her classmate Brandon Richards, a local social media influencer and the best friend of her awful ex-boyfriend. As Brandon and Tess’s relationship morphs from tense acquaintances to inseparable business partners, Tess finds space to grieve her parents’ deaths, as well as a second chance at love. Dass (Where the Rhythm Takes You) infuses this enemies-to-lovers romance with amusing dialogue, fully fleshed-out characters, and nuanced conversations surrounding loss and loneliness. The cast’s magnetic chemistry, both romantic and platonic, and the palpable love for the beauty and culture of Trinidad and Tobago stand out in this radiant depiction of love, creative passion, and closure. Ages 13–up. (May)