When a Dream Comes a Haunting by Kitty Griffin

When TJ Powar-a pretty, popular debater-and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the “expectation” of dating an Indian girl and her Sikh cousin who does not remove her body hair being the “reality”-TJ decides to take a stand. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page.” - Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest “With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. With equal parts humor and heart, Parisa's and Gabriela's stories unfold in a mix of prose, text messages, and emails as they discover new dreams, face insecurities, and confront their greatest fears. And as the whole world is tested during this time of crisis, their friendship will be, too. Suddenly senior year doesn't look anything like they hoped it would. Until a global pandemic forces everyone into lockdown. Whatever the future had in store for them-the pressure to get good grades, the litany of family dramas, and the heartbreak of unrequited love-they faced it together.

Despite their differences, as soon as they met on the first day of freshman year, they had an 'us versus the world' mentality. She can't help but envy Parisa's posh lifestyle whenever she hears her two moms argue about money.

Gabriela, a cynical Mexican American, has all the confidence Parisa lacks but none of the financial stability. Parisa, an earnest and privileged Iranian American, struggles to live up to her own impossible standards. The lives of high school seniors Parisa Naficy and Gabriela Gonzales couldn't be more different. Five Feet Apart meets Kate in Waiting in this timely story of two best friends navigating the complexities of friendship while their world is turned upside down by a global pandemic, from the author of Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card.

When a Dream Comes a Haunting by Kitty Griffin