How could a first kiss with the hottest guy in school feel so . . . meh?

 

Dani starts high school off with a bang—literally—when her locker door slams into the most popular football player on the team. So when she checks off her kiss goal with the sizzling upperclassman, she should be well on her way to crushing the year.

 

Instead? Crossing homework assignments off her to-do list gives Dani more butterflies than her first kiss with sweet, handsome Patrick. The real sparks ignite every time she brushes against fellow cheerleader Jaz. Gorgeous Jaz—effortlessly cool, like a high school version of Zendaya with green eyes…but why would she even care about Jaz’s green eyes?!

 

Struggling to figure out what she’s secretly been feeling, Dani alienates herself from her best friend, Adriana. To make matters worse, Adriana has a catty new friend who seizes the opportunity to drive them apart.

 

Tensions reach their boiling point when Dani and Adriana get into a huge fight before their cheerleading competition, putting the entire squad’s success at risk. Shattered and confused, Dani sneaks into a few of the GSA (Genders and Sexualities Alliance) meetings at school, finding a warm welcome and a safe space.

 

Just when life can’t get any more complicated, the unthinkable happens, and Dani is forced to confront her secrets publicly. Everything crumbles around her, and she feels as if she’s lost a lifelong friend, pushed away her first boyfriend, and can’t get her mind off her cheer squad friend—all in her freshman year. But life isn’t done with her yet. Tragedy strikes again—too close to home.

 

Will she find the courage to act on her real crush—or be crushed by the pressure of it all?

 

A charming and big-hearted queer coming-of-age novel about friendship, family, first love, and standing in your truth…and realizing that’s all you ever needed to feel like you belong.