Love on Paper

Parker (You Bet Your Heart) crafts a love letter to writing and romance via two teens navigating a chaotic summer of discovery and familial complications. As the daughter of two famous authors, Black and Korean 17-year-old Macy Descanso has writing in her blood. But she lacks confidence in her abilities; she hopes that participating in the prestigious, monthlong Penovation writing retreat in Berkeley will give her a necessary boost, even if her mother, with whom she has a complicated relationship, pulled some strings to get her in. At the retreat, Macy discovers that her critique partner is fellow writing “nepo bab[y]” Caleb Bernard, whose Haitian parents have inexplicably feuded with hers for years. Worse, the theme for this year’s Penovation is romance in honor of the recently deceased romance legend Betty Quinn, who left behind clues leading to an infamous unpublished manuscript. Determined to solve the mystery, Macy and Caleb delve into Betty’s past, in the process uncovering secrets about their own parents, all while falling for each other. Macy and Caleb’s initial awkwardness and growing chemistry as they explore their surroundings, talents, and newfound relationship reads as genuine in this charming and heartfelt read. Ages 12–up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park & Fine Literary. (Jan.)