The Vacation Shift
Written by Lily Chu
Published by Quill Tree Books
Ivy Yu is cursed. Her parents separated six months ago, and she’s fallen into a fog. To help, her mother books an impulsive trip to Japan (cool) on a bus tour (very uncool). Ivy should be grateful, but this summer is her last chance to get her situationship, Connor, to fall in love with her.
When they arrive in Tokyo, it’s even worse than she imagined. Ivy and her Mom are the youngest of a group of seniors. Make that two of the youngest: there’s brooding Matteo, with his single dad, Keith.
Then Ivy discovers her mother and Keith are getting close, and her crush back home is hooking up with someone else. Desperate for some semblance of control and a distraction from the heaviness she can’t seem to shake off, she makes a deal with Matteo to keep their parents apart. Luckily, he agrees—and their devious plans begin.
Dodging nosy old ladies on the bus ride through Japan, their strange partnership begins to blossom into something unexpected and exciting—but can their romantic spark survive the journey?
Primary ISBN: 9780063430631
Publication Date: June 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Young Adult, Age 14 or older
Community Represented: Chinese/Chinese American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Canadian Connection, Family Relationship: Parents, Format: Audiobook, Generation: 2nd, Generational Differences, Genre: Romance, Identity: Multiracial, Life Event: Divorce, Mental Health, Own Voices/Lived Experience
Setting: Canada (Toronto), Japan
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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