Bite Me, Royce Taslim

Seventeen-year-old Chinese Malaysian track star Agnes Chan has her whole life planned out. What she didn’t account for was being involved in a hit-and-run that put her athletic dreams on hold. Worse to Agnes is that her nemesis, Indonesian Royce Taslim, was there to witness the accident. Despite being dropped from the track team, her drive to be great at something remains, leading her to try her hand at stand-up at a comedy club, where she finds new success, which she keeps secret from her family. The only problem is that Royce performs at the same club. He’s everything that Agnes despises: popular, financially privileged, and annoyingly handsome. But as his flawless facade fades, Agnes begins to see Royce for who he really is, and as her reputation grows, her relationships with friends and family—and with Royce—are tested until eventually, someone gets the last laugh. Using humor to highlight issues surrounding mental health and socioeconomic status, Ho (Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic, for adults) offers a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers YA debut set in Kuala Lumpur that’s quick-paced and angsty with laughs to spare. Ages 12–up. [em]Agent: Katelyn Detweiler, Jill Grinberg Literary. (May)[/em]