Build a Girlfriend

Because of her family’s curse, every relationship that teen Amelia Hernandez attempts ends in disaster, “whether it be a breakup, a move, or a suspicious allergy death.” Amelia’s sisters, mother, and aunts may be okay with the fact that “no woman in our family can keep a partner,” but after Amelia’s girlfriend breaks up with her, she endeavors to break the curse, and her aunts and sister develop the Hernandez Romance Boot Camp. The plan is simple: Amelia will track down her exes, figure out what went wrong, and use the information to make herself a girlfriend “so perfect, nobody will ever even think to break up with her.” But as Amelia reconnects with former partners, things get more complicated than she anticipated. Using friendly prose and witty banter, debut author Luz emphasizes one teen’s struggle managing her mental health and personal desires while also crafting an organic portrayal of what it means to grow up in a household where “women are the pillar.” At the heart of this hilarious rom-com is a large Latinx family filled with meddling aunts blasting reggaeton music and heartfelt, genuine female relationships. Ages 14–up. (Jan.)