Review by Booklist Review
Macy Descanso's summer at Penovation, an elite writing retreat for teens, has it all: romance, literary mystery, family drama, and some writing angst for good measure. Macy wants to be a writer, but as the child of two well-known authors, it's been hard finding her place in the literary world. At Penovation, she's paired up with fellow "nepo baby" Caleb Bernard--another second-generation writer whose parents have beef with Macy's--as critique partners and becomes close with her roommate Fern. What follows is four weeks of Macy and Caleb falling for each other as they investigate the remnants of a famous author's literary legacy, and all the teens try to find their standing as writers. While the conclusion of Macy's journey toward a literary identity feels rushed, Macy and Caleb's summer romance is satisfying and the teens' capers and shenanigans as they follow the clues to uncover the mystery of a missing manuscript are delightful. Great for aspiring writers with a penchant for romance.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Parker (You Bet Your Heart) crafts a love letter to writing and romance via two teens navigating a chaotic summer of discovery and familial complications. As the daughter of two famous authors, Black and Korean 17-year-old Macy Descanso has writing in her blood. But she lacks confidence in her abilities; she hopes that participating in the prestigious, monthlong Penovation writing retreat in Berkeley will give her a necessary boost, even if her mother, with whom she has a complicated relationship, pulled some strings to get her in. At the retreat, Macy discovers that her critique partner is fellow writing "nepo bab" Caleb Bernard, whose Haitian parents have inexplicably feuded with hers for years. Worse, the theme for this year's Penovation is romance in honor of the recently deceased romance legend Betty Quinn, who left behind clues leading to an infamous unpublished manuscript. Determined to solve the mystery, Macy and Caleb delve into Betty's past, in the process uncovering secrets about their own parents, all while falling for each other. Macy and Caleb's initial awkwardness and growing chemistry as they explore their surroundings, talents, and newfound relationship reads as genuine in this charming and heartfelt read. Ages 12--up. Agent: Peter Knapp, Park & Fine Literary. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Macy is annoyed that her famous writer mother pulled strings to get her accepted into a writing retreat. Her parents have married each other twice (and twice divorced), and Macy isn't sure she believes in love. At the end of the romance-themed writing retreat, attendees will have the chance to win a place in an anthology published by a major publishing house. Macy has determined that one of the five spots will be hers, but she's having trouble putting words on paper. Macy's critique partner is Caleb, the son of her parents' writing nemesis, but as they spend more time together, their attraction grows. Can they manage a relationship while competing for the same prize and when their parents are enemies? Writing tips and bookish jokes are sprinkled throughout. The romance in this novel follows the formula, ideal for those hoping to become authors themselves. The relationship is full of cute moments, trust issues, and helping each other find their writing voice. The scavenger hunt allows Macy to see her mother through a different lens. Their big emotional conversation releases a lot of the book's tension and leads to understanding for both parties. Macy is biracial Black and Korean; Caleb has dark brown skin; Fern, Macy's retreat roommate, cues as white and uses they/them pronouns. VERDICT Perfect for romance fans, book nerds, and aspiring authors.--Jennifer Rummel
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Review by Horn Book Review
Seventeen-year-old Macy, a biracial aspiring author, navigates a prestigious writing retreat while competing for a coveted spot in an anthology. Alongside Caleb, the son of her parents' literary nemeses, Macy embarks on a writerly scavenger hunt and faces the challenges of trust, identity, and her complicated family dynamics. Despite some uneven characterization, which leaves the emotional stakes feeling a bit underdeveloped, the romance is sweet and the writing journey insightful. Ideal for young litterateurs and romance fans. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Macy Descanso knows she can be a great writer, if only someone would just give her a chance. Seventeen-year-old Macy, who's the daughter of two successful authors who are both Korean and Black, aspires to write as well. She applied to Penovation, an elite four-week writing retreat in Berkeley, but was only able to get in with her mother's help. Once she arrives, she's paired as critique partners with Haitian American Caleb Bernard, who's also the child of famous authors--ones who have a bitter rivalry with Macy's parents. Macy, who's still trying to define herself as a writer, is dismayed when another teen refers to her and Caleb as "nepo babies." The retreat participants learn that recently deceased romance author Betty Quinn has arranged for five students' stories to be published in an anthology. Quinn also left behind clues about the whereabouts of her final manuscript. Macy and Caleb embark on a quest of discovery all around the Bay Area during which they also learn more about each other and their families. This is a fast-paced, sometimes poignant, teen romance that centers on a coming-of-age journey to claiming your own identity in the face of external pressures and standards. Unfortunately, the lackluster characterization weakens readers' investment in the leads. The story concludes with the Penovation reading list, which spans a fun range of recommendations from William Shakespeare and Jane Austen to Elise Bryant and Maurene Goo. An unevenly developed romance with a dose of self-discovery.(Romance. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
