Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel

Leila is a high school junior at an elite prep school, managing the complexities of her Iranian heritage and the pressure to meet her family's expectations. Her quiet life is disrupted by the arrival of Saskia, a confident new student who becomes Leila's first real crush. As Leila navigates her first romantic feelings, she also deals with school social dynamics, a long-term friendship with her best friend Greg, and the internal conflict of coming out to a traditional, loving family. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The story includes instances of peer betrayal and a character who uses a secret as social leverage. There are also discussions of the social risks and potential family rejection associated with coming out. EMOTIONAL ARC: The book follows a steady build from internal anxiety and secrecy toward self-acceptance and courage. While there are moments of social tension and the fear of exposure, the story is ultimately grounded in humor and ends on a resilient, hopeful note. IDEAL READER: A teenager who feels like they are juggling multiple versions of themselves to please others. It is perfect for a queer teen of color who loves a classic high school romantic comedy but wants to see their specific cultural background and family dynamics handled with nuance. PARENT TRIGGER: This book is for the parent who hears their child say, "I feel like I'm keeping a huge part of my life a secret from you because I don't want to change how you see me." PARENT PREP: The book is safe to read cold, but parents might want to preview the scenes involving Saskia to understand how peer influence can complicate a teen's coming out process. The dialogue is authentic to modern high schoolers, including some mild language and teenage party scenes. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the excitement and nerves of the first crush and the drama of high school cliques. Older teens will more deeply appreciate the nuance of Leila's cultural identity and the difficult balance between personal truth and family loyalty. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many YA queer novels that focus solely on the trauma of coming out, this book prioritizes the protagonist's humor and her rich Persian-American cultural life. It treats her heritage not as an obstacle, but as a cherished part of her identity that she is learning to integrate with her sexuality.