Café con Lychee

When their respective small-town Vermont family restaurants are threatened by a new establishment, two 16-year-olds must set aside their lifelong rivalry in this buoyant romance by Lee (Meet-Cute Diary). Openly gay Theo Mori's family runs an Asian American café; closeted Gabriel Moreno's parents own a Puerto Rican bakery. The boys have always been at odds--reserved Theo swears that popular athlete Gabi "was born to thwart me at every turn"--and their families' competing establishments fuel the duo's fierce opposition. The grand opening of a new fusion café puts their respective stores at risk, and the teens, desperate to save their parents' businesses, come up with an idea to increase their revenues and bump up publicity by covertly selling and delivering bakery items at school. After an injury affects Theo's ability to work, Gabi steps in to help, but he's quickly overwhelmed trying to juggle his and Theo's secret operation, as well as school and work responsibilities, his parents' expectations, and his blossoming feelings for Theo. Inconsistent character development occasionally muddles an otherwise touching and humorously told portrayal of intersections of culture, race, and sexuality, told through the lens of an inviting Romeo and Juliet--esque feud. Ages 13--up. Agent: Claire Draper, Bent Agency. (May)