
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to reconcile their public identity with their private self, or when navigating the complexities of first love and old friendships. Lola is a high schooler who expresses her vibrant creativity through elaborate daily costumes, yet she still feels the sting of past social rejection and the pressure to maintain a perfect image for her older, punk-rock boyfriend. It is a story about the courage it takes to be authentically yourself, even when that self is still evolving. The book centers on themes of self-confidence, artistic expression, and the importance of healthy boundaries in relationships. While it is a sweet contemporary romance, it also provides a wonderful model of a supportive, non-traditional family, as Lola is raised by two protective and loving dads. It is ideal for readers aged thirteen and up who are interested in fashion, art, or the relatable messiness of growing up in a diverse urban environment.
Teenage dating, kissing, and some suggestive dialogue.
References to teenage drinking at parties and a boyfriend in a band.
The book includes some mild instances of alcohol use at a party and mentions of past parental abandonment (Lola's biological mother is an addict who is largely absent from her life). There is also a depiction of a controlling and somewhat toxic relationship with an older boyfriend.
A creative teenager who feels like an outsider or an 'eccentric' and is currently navigating the high-stakes world of high school romance and evolving friendships. It is perfect for a reader who values artistic integrity and is looking for a story where a non-traditional family structure is the grounding force of the protagonist's life.
This book can be read cold. Parents may want to discuss the age gap and power dynamic between Lola and her boyfriend Max as a way to talk about healthy relationship boundaries. A parent might reach for this book after hearing their teen express feeling 'suffocated' by a partner or seeing their child hide their true interests to please a peer group.
Younger teens (13-14) will focus on the 'will they, won't they' romance and the fun of the costume design. Older teens will more deeply appreciate the nuance of Lola's relationship with her biological mother and the maturity required to prioritize one's own needs over a first love.
Unlike many YA romances that treat the family as an obstacle or an absence, this book features a rock-solid, loving domestic life with two dads that serves as the moral compass for the protagonist.
Lola Nolan is an aspiring costume designer in San Francisco who uses fashion as a vibrant form of self-expression. Her stable life with her two supportive dads and her older boyfriend, Max, is disrupted when the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, move back in next door. The narrative follows Lola as she navigates her complicated history with Cricket, the boy who broke her heart years prior, while coming to terms with the fact that her current relationship may not be as healthy or supportive as she once believed.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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