Right Where I Left You

Winters (The Summer of Everything) presents two queer boys’ transformative summer navigating first love, evolving relationships, and fear-inspiring change in this bighearted friends-to-lovers romance. Gay, Black and Mexican comic book enthusiast Isaac Martin, 18, has grand plans for the summer before college separates him and his bisexual Puerto Rican gamer best friend, Diego Santoyo. Together, they’ll attend their first Pride and score tickets to an epic convention, Legends Con, to meet their favorite comics creators. But when con tickets sell out while Isaac is distracted by a former crush, bisexual Brazilian classmate Davi Lucas, their plans begin crumbling. Following an emotionally charged blowout with Diego, Isaac maneuvers unexplored feelings of love and abandonment, addresses tumultuous familial challenges, and learns to be brave. Script excerpts from Isaac’s comics artfully parallel the boys’ emotional journey (“This is the worst idea you’ve ever had. But I’m glad it’s you I’m stuck here with”). Isaac and Diego’s intimate connection, facilitated by healthy communication and individual vulnerability, is one to be cherished. Employing a winsome queer and racially diverse cast, compassionate prose, and a joyful tone, Winters skillfully explores myriad walks of LGBTQ life. Ages 12–up. Agent: Thao Le, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. (Mar.)