AMERICA'S NOT-SO-SWEETHEART

Alec Braud is only 17, but he’s already a reality TV victor—and villain.

He’s also still in love with his showmance ex-boyfriend, Mexican American Joaquín Delgado. So when Joaquín suggests they go on a Midwestern road trip together to recreate—and “queerify”—scenes from famous musicals, Alec, who’s white, quickly agrees. The two boys embark on their journey, which will allow Joaquín to take photos for his art school portfolio, and attempt to process their feelings about Campfire Wars (“think low-budget Survivor for teens, just without the starvation”). They also navigate friendship after dating, which is complicated by the fact that Alec betrayed Joaquín to win the competition and the grand prize of $250,000. Despite his philanthropic intentions—he donated much of his winnings to his family’s struggling wildlife rehabilitation center—fans labeled Alec one of the worst contestants to appear on the show. Negative public opinion and the toxicity of the show’s production team cause Alec to seriously question both his identity and his relationships. He desperately tries to convince himself that his behavior was justified, but he constantly spirals, bringing readers into his chaotic headspace as he alienates his friends and makes poor decisions. As Alec tries his best to figure himself out, his inner debates and questionable actions can feel taxing. Hanson’s debut effectively delves into the seedy underbelly of the reality TV world, including biases in representation; this element may sustain readers’ interest.

An interesting premise that gets bogged down in emotional turmoil.