“Dense, wonderful and fulfilling — an enemies-to-lovers story that stands out all on its own.” — NPR
Photography by Michael Frost and Tanya Frost and cover design by Liz Dresner.
Click here to download the JPG of the cover!
Aminah Mae Safi's Tell Me How You Really Feel is an ode to romantic comedies, following two girls on opposite sides of the social scale as they work together to make a movie and try very hard not to fall in love.
The first time Sana Khan asked out a girl— Rachel Recht— it went so badly that she never did it again. Rachel is a film buff and aspiring director, and she’s seen “Carrie” enough times to learn you can never trust cheerleaders (and beautiful people). Rachel was furious that Sana tried to prank her by asking her on a date.
But when it comes time for Rachel to cast her senior project, she realizes that there’s no more perfect lead than Sana— the girl she's sneered at in the halls for the past three years. And poor Sana— she says yes. She never did really get over that first crush, even if Rachel can barely stand to be in the same room as her.
Told in alternative viewpoints and set against the backdrop of LA in the springtime, when the rainy season rolls in and the Santa Ana's can still blow— these two girls are about to learn that in the city of dreams, anything is possible— even love.
A Junior Library Guild Selection 🏅
A Summer Kids Indie Next Pick! 📚
An American Library Association 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection
An Autostraddle Best Book of 2019
A Her Campus Best YA book of 2019
A November 2020 Read Fierce Book Club Pick!
RETAILERS can find more sales and distribution info from the publisher here.
Praise for Tell Me How You Really Feel
"The queer hate-to-love story you need in your life." — Bustle
"A queer romance that will sweep readers away." — Kirkus Reviews
“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.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred
“As much about finding yourself as it is about finding love, this smart, feminist story shows that expectations shouldn’t dictate the future.” — School Library Journal, Starred
"Tell Me How You Really Feel is the best kind of rom-com: genuine and absorbing, with wonderfully over-the-top declarations of love." — Shelf Awareness
“A beguiling tale of young love between two sworn enemies, a cheerleader and a film nerd, in this witty, smart and entertaining romantic comedy” — The Buffalo News
