Love & Other Natural Disasters by Misa Sugiura
Published by HarperTeen on June 8, 2021
ISBN: 006299123X
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Nozomi, a seventeen-year-old queer, Japanese American is riddled with self-doubt about relationships as she and her older brother Max fly out to San Francisco to internships that their Uncles have secured for them at a private art museum.  Being gay is not a concern, but building up potential rom-com situations in her head get her into trouble when she throws herself into a “fake dating” situation with a new girl she is infatuated with.  The pressure to keep this social media created relationship going adds complications to her real life situations which include recently divorced parents, the homophobia of her grandmother with dementia who is resisting assistance from her family and the potential “real” romance with an installation artist at the museum.  Sugiura creates the right balance between calling out issues of body image, homophobia, Asian stereotyping, and racial profiling while keeping the romantic storyline lighthearted.  Some parts are extremely heart felt that will make the reader pause and reflect while other parts of the story are true to the flighty romantic vibe with unbelievable triteness.  Suggested for readers in high school.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library