Tell Me How You Really Feel

April 15, 2019
Rachel Recht and Sana Khan are either mortal enemies or star-crossed lovers. Jewish-Mexican Rachel has hated South Asian-Persian Muslim Sana ever since Sana asked her out during their freshman year at their exclusive private school as a prank. At least, Rachel assumed it was a prank--why else would a perfect cheerleader like Sana want to date a scholarship student like her, even if Rachel is a brilliant filmmaker? So when Rachel's film teacher forces her to cast Sana in her final film class project--a project that will determine whether she gets a scholarship to her dream college, NYU--Rachel is sure that the whole thing will be a disaster. Until she realizes that seemingly perfect Sana is wrestling with her own demons--including her family's unreasonable expectations and her own doubts about her future. Before long, sparks start to fly, and Rachel and Sana discover parts of each other that they cannot help but love. Safi (Not the Girls You're Looking For, 2018) expertly weaves a fast-paced will-they-or-won't-they story of two American girls trying to decide who they are and what they want. While Sana and Rachel's sexual orientation is an important part of the story, it is just one part, allowing Safi to create layered, nuanced characters who keep readers enthralled. A queer romance that will sweep readers away. (Romance. 13-18)

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Starred review from May 6, 2019
Insecurities, misunderstandings, and pride lead to a feud that ignites into passion in this sweet YA romance by Safi (Not the Girls You’re Looking For). In Los Angeles, Jewish-Mexican Rachel Recht is both poor and brilliant. She’s determined to make a name for herself as a director, and her next big steps all depend on her senior project, which is coming apart at the seams. Then her film teacher forces her to cast her archnemesis, perpetually perfect cheerleader Sana Khan, in a film to showcase by the end of the month. Mean-while, Persian–South Asian Sana is chafing under living up to her family’s expectations that she attend Princeton and become a surgeon. When Sana begins to work closely with her crush-turned-enemy, she is forced out of predictable patterns and in turn helps Rachel resolve some of her aggression. As the two of them embrace their feelings for each other, they find the confidence to step into the futures each hopes to create. A beautifully diverse cast, a hopeful look at growing up, and a blossoming spring romance between well-developed characters are sure to spark joy in teen readers. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren MacLeod, the Strothman Agency.

Starred review from May 1, 2019

Gr 9 Up-Two high school seniors find their voices and first love in this enemies-to-lovers story told from dual perspectives. Brusque and controlling filmmaker Rachel Recht, a Jewish scholarship student at the prestigious Royce School, wants nothing to do with Sana Khan, cheerleading captain and model human being. But when a literal run-in forces them to work together on a film, their tense relationship morphs into something beautiful and unexpected. As they collaborate, they begin to share their most private feelings. Sana, who is Muslim, reveals that she's been having a crisis about her future, hasn't sent her down payment to Princeton, and has secretly applied to a fellowship. Rachel knows she's NYU-bound if the scholarship funds come through, but her future is in jeopardy if she can't get this last film finished. Working together on this project about a woman forging her own path could be transformative for both, if only they could stop arguing and misjudging each other's intentions. Determined to find success on their own terms, the ambitious girls learn to stand up for themselves as they challenge, support, and infuriate each other. Immensely readable with strong characters and quick, clever dialogue, this romance has real depth. Though there is no question that the girls will end up together, it's a joy to watch them fumble toward their eventual happy ending. As much about finding yourself as it is about finding love, this smart, feminist story shows that expectations shouldn't dictate the future. VERDICT This well-written and supremely satisfying romance should be in all collections.-Amanda MacGregor, Parkview Elementary School, Rosemount, MN

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