On this episode of Everything is Canon, Steve talks to Dahlia Adler all about her brand-new book, Cool for the Summer, which is described as “a story of self-discovery and new love. It’s about the things we want and the things we need. And it’s about the people who will let us be who we are.”
Here’s the summary…
Larissa Bogdan was supposed to spend her summer babysitting and bookselling. Instead, she tagged after her mom to the Outer Banks, working on her tan and making new friends. Now she’s back and starting her senior year at Stratford High, only to face another unexpected turn: she’s finally attracted the attention of superstar quarterback Chase Harding, the guy she’s crushed on since middle school.
Then Jasmine Killary shows up. Jasmine, who’s supposed to be in North Carolina, not the New York City suburbs. Jasmine, who immediately entices Stratford’s student body with her glittering beauty and casual-cool style. Jasmine, who gave Larissa the three most perfect months of her life.
But now Jasmine’s keeping her distance, not even acknowledging their friendship, much less the hot summer nights they spent together. Larissa knows she should be glad to bury their secret, but she also knows she never felt more comfortable, more confident, more herself than when she was with Jasmine. What was supposed to be a playful fling became something much deeper than she ever could have imagined.
If Larissa’s finally got the guy, why can’t she stop thinking about the girl?
While that very brief summary is nice and all, Cool for the Summer goes much deeper than that and immerses you in what will probably be the greatest summer of your life. And rather than prognostications, epic events, or grand gestures, Dahlia lures you in with a series of small but meaningful moments of kindness, reassurances from a loving hand on our skin, of soft-spoken secrets, and offers of comfort.
You will either recognize Dahlia’s beats and rhythms as just another YA romance book, or if you’re like me, feel the magic that is sometimes better expressed with a bad rendition of a pop song than breaking a high-school football record.
Because Dahlia has impeccable taste and is the mastermind behind LGBTQReads.com, we talk about some of the great books she’s read this year or is looking forward to reading, why Grease isn’t a great comparison, Cool for the Summer of course, and much, much more.
Cool for the Summer is out now, to order a copy today or to get more information, visit DahliaAdler.com!
