Title: The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles)
Author: Amy Spalding
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQIA+
Pages: 284
Pub Date: April 03, 2018
Publisher: Sky Pony Press/Skyhorse
Book Source: publisher via edelweiss
My Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Synopsis: Seventeen, fashion-obsessed, and gay, Abby Ives has always been content playing the sidekick in other people's lives. While her friends and sister have plunged headfirst into the world of dating and romances, Abby has stayed focused on her plus-size style blog and her dreams of taking the fashion industry by storm. When she lands a prized internship at her favorite local boutique, she’s thrilled to take her first step into her dream career. She doesn't expect to fall for her fellow intern, Jordi Perez. Abby knows it's a big no-no to fall for a colleague. She also knows that Jordi documents her whole life in photographs, while Abby would prefer to stay behind the scenes.
Then again, nothing is going as expected this summer. She's competing against the girl she's kissing to win a paid job at the boutique. She's somehow managed to befriend Jax, a lacrosse-playing bro type who needs help in a project that involves eating burgers across L.A.'s eastside. Suddenly, she doesn't feel like a sidekick. Is it possible Abby's finally in her own story?
But when Jordi's photography puts Abby in the spotlight, it feels like a betrayal, rather than a starring role. Can Abby find a way to reconcile her positive yet private sense of self with the image that other people have of her?
Is this just Abby’s summer of fashion? Or will it truly be The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)?
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*** POSSIBLE SPOILERS ***
The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) is one of the best books I've read this year!
This book follows Abby—seventeen years old, plus-size fashion blogger, lesbian. Abby is adorably quirky in her bright, fruity (literally, her clothes have fruit on them) outfits and pink hair. She is a plus-size MC, which is amazing to me. We begin the story with Abby going into her first day at a new internship. She's interning at her favorite boutique in Los Angeles, and when he arrives she learns that she's competing for a part-time position at the boutique in the fall. Jordi Perez, an edgy girl from her high school, is also interning as a photographer for the boutique.
It goes without saying that Jordi and Abby begin to crush on each other and develop a romance. I am IN LOVE with these two together! They are very much contrasting characters, and I love that. Abby is cheerful, talkative, and bright. Jordi is laid-back, more quiet, and neutral. Neither of them are struggling with their sexuality or anything, which is actually nice. I like that this isn't about sexuality; it's just a cute story about first love. The focus isn't really on the fact that they are both females. It makes it seem more the "norm", you know? As a gay gal myself, I adore this. It's a small detail, I suppose, but still one that I appreciate.
Side note on the sexuality, though: Abby is completely feminine. I do, as a feminine lesbian, appreciate the femme visibility. Abby isn't the stereotypical tomboyish lesbian.
The girls go through the cutest, most simple romance. It wasn't epic or anything, but so freaking cute! Dare I say... fluffy. But, this is not a bad thing. I love a fluffy, light romance. Not everything needs to be so epic and angsty, right? I would definitely call this a beach read. Quick, easy, fun, cute.
Along with the romance, we follow Abby through slight family drama (very slight...her mother is a health-nut and it's a drag for Abby) and also a new friendship with a lacrosse player from her school (and their quest to find the best burger in LA). It was great to see a guy/girl friendship that didn't develop into a romance! Love love love! Then, obviously, we watch her meander through her internship and struggle with the fact that her girlfriend is also her competition. It was just enough extra to pad the romance storyline.
Overall, this book was just wonderful all around! It's diverse, romantic, and fun. I adore the main character and I was very impressed with the way she was portrayed. The romance was so sweet and so well done. The friendship dynamics with the side characters was also very well written, as were the family issues. I just loved the fashion, the romance, the quirkiness, the entire thing! I definitely recommend this for anyone who wants a nice, sweet story of first love with a side of laughter. ♥
