Wish You Weren't Here

March 25, 2024
High school junior Juliette Barrera-Wright is eager to begin her summer camp counselor duties at Fogridge Sleepaway Camp, which, as one of seven children, is the only place she feels seen. She’s also ready for a break from social media star and class frenemy Priya Pendley, but she’s shocked to learn that Priya is attending Fogridge as well. Worse, Priya is assigned as her roommate and mentee. Juliette’s friends take to Priya immediately, prompting self-conscious feelings that worsen when a fellow counselor labels Juliette a “brat” for arguing about her activities schedule. Despite their differences, Priya readily assists Juliette after she hurts her ankle and even encourages her to try new things, such as auditioning for the camp musical. As the girls grow closer, Juliette realizes she doesn’t hate Priya after all. She might even like her—as more than a friend. Baldwin unspools an organic enemies-to-lovers summer camp romp via Juliette’s introspective and bitingly humorous first-person POV. While lengthy descriptions of Fogridge traditions, games, and lore occasionally feel extraneous, the silliness of such customs and the many intersectionally diverse characters who take part in them energize this charming debut that gives way to electric romance. Ages 12–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Literary.

April 1, 2024
Grades 8-12 It's Juliette's last summer at Fogridge Camp, and she intends to make the most of it. From silly pranks and insides jokes to the moving and longstanding traditions, Juliette loves everything about camp, just as much as she hates everything about her life the rest of the year--especially Priya Pendley, the rich, talented, and gorgeous queen bee of her school, her unspoken nemesis. But upon landing at Fogridge for what Juliette expects to be the best summer of them all, the vibes are instantly killed when she discovers she's been paired up with none other than Priya as a roommate. As the two girls bond over working on the camp musical, Juliette must admit that her nemesis might not be as bad as she thought . . . and that she might actually be cute. This queer, enemies-to-lovers rom-com struggles slightly with stilted characterization and half-hearted chemistry, but it shines as a camp love letter, packed full of delicious details that will leave readers wishing they could attend Fogridge.

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April 15, 2024
A teenage girl's summer camp stay is complicated by the arrival of the popular girl from back home. Summer camp is supposed to be Juliette Barrera-Wright's safe place. At home she has to share the spotlight with her six siblings, and there's nowhere to escape Priya Pendley, her hometown's uber-wealthy, social media-famous it girl. Priya is gorgeous, always perfectly polished, good at everything, and, worst of all, extremely likable, which only serves to highlight Juliette's perceived inadequacies. But at Fogridge camp, people embrace Juliette for who she is, and that allows her to shine. This summer is supposed to be extra special: Not only is it her last year as a camper, but she's also been voted in as the North Star, a role of honor that grants her privileges, such as a private cabin to be shared with a new camper whom she'll mentor. Juliette's satisfaction is cut short, however, when she learns that her mentee is none other than Priya herself. Now the summer is at risk of being ruined unless Juliette can find a way to get along with her biggest frenemy. Priya and Juliette are both biracial (each has one white parent), and the supporting cast is diverse. With a charming, conversational narrative voice and an idyllic camp setting, this light romance hits the right marks for a poolside read. A sunny, Sapphic rom-com. (Romance. 13-18)

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Starred review from January 17, 2025

Gr 7 Up-Debut author Baldwin offers a summer camp novel like no other. It has the classic trope of two enemies having to share a cabin, but that's where the story gets turned on its head. Juliette and Priya have tolerated each other since second grade and now as seniors are forced to be together at Fogridge Sleepaway Camp-a place Juliette has always felt she can be her true self, and a place that Priya was pressured to attend by her mom. Juliette wants her last year at Fogridge to be memorable, and Priya just wants a story for her college applications. But as Priya becomes popular at camp, just like she is at home, Juliette feels like her aspirations for a wonderful final camp summer are going down the drain. Add in a wonderful cast of characters, from the counselors to longtime camp friends, and a fast-paced rom-com quickly unfolds. Witty dialogue brings to life the mayhem and heartfelt moments of an innocent teenage summer. In forced proximity for a madcap span of six weeks, Juliette and Priya must learn to overcome their lifelong antagonism and get to the heart of what really matters to each of them. Could that mean something even more than friendship? VERDICT This novel has camp adventures galore and some swoony romantic moments; readers who love the stories of Casey McQuiston, Sophie Gonzales, and Becky Albertalli will add Baldwin to their list of excellent sapphic storytellers.-Maria Ramusevic

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