This YA Romance is such a sweet story that had me smiling, giggling, and cringing right alongside the FMC, Jessie, the entire time. 

Jessie is such a loveable and wholly relatable character. At 15, she is a young Palestinian-Canadian student entering her first year of high school after being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over the summer. We follow Jessie’s story throughout her freshman year as she navigates new friend groups, crushes on classmates, and learning to embrace the things that make her unique. 

When I read books like this, I am reminded of how grateful I am for young readers to have access to these kinds of intersectional stories. It not only speaks to the experiences of the Palestinian diaspora but also to the understanding and awareness of autism and how it presents differently across the spectrum. All the while reading a relatable story about high school and finding your first love. 

This book was not written for me, but I absolutely appreciate everything the author is doing with this story. Knowing how comforted I was, I can only imagine how young readers might feel seeing themselves in Jessie.