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“Authenticity abounds in this polished murder mystery turned exercise in vulnerability.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Don’t Print This

Written by Monica Chin
Published by Page Street YA

Freshman year, Ace Li kissed his best friend, Akash Patel. The next day, Akash moved away without a word-and Ace was so brokenhearted he stopped eating.

It took years for Ace to recover, but he’s finally stable again. Ace drinks his protein shakes, swims every morning, and might even win the debate competition this year. He’s good. He’s forgotten that kiss-at least, that’s what he tells himself. Then Ace hears the news: Akash is back.

Akash has returned because his mother, the world-famous investigative journalist Radhika Malhotra, is missing, and she was last seen in this town. Ace tries to stay away, but the second he sees Akash, the feelings he’s suppressed bubble back to the surface. Then Ace happens upon some notes-notes about what Akash’s mother was investigating. If he retraces her steps, he might be able to find her. And if he does, maybe Akash will give him another chance.

As Ace follows Radhika’s trail, his stable life begins to crumble. He stops eating, and he starts receiving threatening, anonymous messages. If he goes public with what happened to Radhika and why, his entire town will have to pay the consequences. Winning Akash’s heart might cost Ace everything, but maybe that’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make.

Primary ISBN: 9798890034946
Publication Date: September 2026
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Young Adult, Age 14 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Connecticut)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival, Immigrant

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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