SUNFLOWERS AND LAVENDER

Could these two seeming opposites be a good match? After an awkward meet-cute at the supermarket, a flustered, smitten Penny immediately declares her feelings for Bianca and then clumsily tries to cover things up. But Bianca sees through her, which is okay because she may have a crush on this strange pink-haired girl too, even though she doesn’t think she’ll ever see her again. The second time the two run into each other, they have a misunderstanding that triggers a chain of mishaps they eventually clear up. Each of the girls has her own insecurities, but their sweet chemistry pulls them together like magnets, and soon they’re exploring their feelings for one another. This is a cozy, low-stakes read; its romance includes moments of hilarity even as it explores the beauty of young love. White-presenting Penny and brown-skinned Bianca, who’s cued Latine, are supported by a highly diverse and appealing secondary cast that includes characters of different races, someone with vitiligo, and a wheelchair user. Refreshingly, the friendships are as well-realized as the love story. The attractive pastel palette and manga-style art effectively portray the quaint, cheerful setting, with its streetcars, abundance of flowers, little shops, and charming bungalows.