PICTURE-PERFECT BOYFRIEND

When her imaginary boyfriend appears in real life, an aspiring photographer must be honest with her family—and herself—about her dreams and ambitions.

When Kenzie Reed arrives in Maui with her family for vacation, her boyfriend, Jacob Miller, is at the airport to surprise her. He’s cute and fun and knows all about her, but there’s one big problem: She made him up. Knowing that her parents would be happier if she were more like her sister, Alana—organized, serious, dating the right kind of guy, and preparing to join the family optometry practice—Kenzie quashed the exuberant parts of herself, including her love of nature photography, and invented a boring, stable long-distance boyfriend. Her parents have been very happy with the changes she’s made, but now that her formerly imaginary boyfriend is somehow there in the flesh, she knows time is running out until her lies are revealed. But who is this Fake Jacob? Despite this mystery, the time she spends with him makes her realize that she misses being impulsive, joyful, and creative and that being truthful about who she is is the only way forward. Kenzie’s dilemma will resonate with teens trying to balance others’ expectations with their own interests and desires. Main characters are cued White.

The balmy setting and sweet developing relationship will appeal to teen romance fans.