THE QUINCE PROJECT

A sweet novel full of sisterly love, budding romance, and healing after loss.

Castillo Torres takes her position as the student body association event chair at Matteo Beach High seriously. To her, it’s the best path forward after her mother’s death two years ago. Cas plans to use her portfolio to score influential event planner Mandy Whitmore’s “fairy godmother internship,” help older sister Mariposa (who goes by Po) crush her senior year and get into college, and springboard her dad out of his video game–filled depression. An opportunity to organize Disney YouTuber Paulina Reyes’ nontraditional quinceañera is the perfect boost to Cas’ internship application. Hanging out with cute lifeguard Javier Bae-Luna, who’s Korean and Guatemalan, only sweetens the process. But when a lie blows up bigger than a balloon arch, Cas’ perfect plans pop. Parra’s sophomore novel is filled with lots of fun party-planning details, along with a heartfelt look at the mourning process, as Cuban American Cas grapples with her mother’s death and shifting dynamics in the wake of the family’s loss. Cas and Po’s relationship is lovingly depicted—and Po’s malapropisms are laugh-out-loud funny. The central conflict and earnest conclusion will charm contemporary romance fans, and Javier and Cas’ thoughtful, budding relationship is a highlight, showcasing sincere emotion and care.

An earnest look at grief, expectations—and the many ways to get to a happily-ever-after.