THE LOVE INTEREST

Despite craving peace and quiet, a teen becomes embroiled in nonstop superhero action.

After a fire breaks out in the British town of Nine Trees, Blaze appears on the scene to rescue Jenna Ray, who collapsed while trying to escape the heat and smoke. With his superspeed and ability to fly, he becomes Nine Trees’ hero. Blaze is a member of the Heroics and Power Authority, the organization that registers and manages those who demonstrate special abilities rumored to come from the accelerated evolution of the planet. Blaze’s actions trigger speculation that because Jenna is his first rescue, she’s also his Love Interest—a distinction the feminist Jenna initially rejects. She’s a keen swimmer who prefers a low-key life with her dad and sister; dealing with media intrusion worsens her anxiety and panic attacks. Not long after her identity goes public, Jenna is approached by the Villains, an opposition group with its own powerful members who want her to spy on the HPA. If she agrees, the Villains promise to reunite Jenna with her mother, who left the family when Jenna was 7. Comerford peppers her work with clever, inventive twists as Jenna starts falling for Blaze. This fast-paced story culminates in a dramatic, satisfying conclusion that promises an exciting sequel. Jenna is Black, and Blaze is Chinese and white.

A sharp romantic comedy that takes aim at the patriarchy.