WISH YOU WEREN'T HERE

A teenage girl’s summer camp stay is complicated by the arrival of the popular girl from back home.

Summer camp is supposed to be Juliette Barrera-Wright’s safe place. At home she has to share the spotlight with her six siblings, and there’s nowhere to escape Priya Pendley, her hometown’s uber-wealthy, social media–famous it girl. Priya is gorgeous, always perfectly polished, good at everything, and, worst of all, extremely likable, which only serves to highlight Juliette’s perceived inadequacies. But at Fogridge camp, people embrace Juliette for who she is, and that allows her to shine. This summer is supposed to be extra special: Not only is it her last year as a camper, but she’s also been voted in as the North Star, a role of honor that grants her privileges, such as a private cabin to be shared with a new camper whom she’ll mentor. Juliette’s satisfaction is cut short, however, when she learns that her mentee is none other than Priya herself. Now the summer is at risk of being ruined unless Juliette can find a way to get along with her biggest frenemy. Priya and Juliette are both biracial (each has one white parent), and the supporting cast is diverse. With a charming, conversational narrative voice and an idyllic camp setting, this light romance hits the right marks for a poolside read.

A sunny, Sapphic rom-com.