The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles)

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with body image, entering the world of first relationships, or feeling like they have to shrink themselves to be loved. This charming contemporary novel follows Abby Ives, a fat, fashion-obsessed teen who lands a dream internship at a vintage boutique and finds herself falling for her fellow intern, Jordi Perez. While it features a sweet summer romance, the heart of the story lies in Abby learning to take up space and trust her own worth. Parents will appreciate how the book handles fat-positivity with nuance, showing a protagonist who loves her body even when the world (and her fitness-blogger mother) makes it difficult. It is an excellent choice for 13 to 17-year-olds navigating the intersection of creative ambition and romantic vulnerability. It provides a healthy, realistic blueprint for how to handle professional rivalry and the sting of feeling second-best in a way that remains hopeful and empowering.