Recommended Reading

Paul Coccia

$29.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Zando
01 June 2025

In this opposites-attract YA rom-com inspired by Emma, a failed romantic gesture puts a damper on a queer teen bookseller's summer of book matching and matchmaking until a handsome lifeguard and romance skeptic waltzes into his bookstore. Sometimes you get a second chance at happily ever after when you least expect it...

Curvaceous, clever, and an avid reader, seventeen-year-old Bobby Ashton never misses a main character moment. So when it comes to asking out his crush, he plans a romantic gesture grand enough to go down in local history. Unfortunately, though, his extensive knowledge of every rom-com trope ever doesn't prepare him for how tragically he misreads the situation. Suddenly Bobby's very public romantic gesture turns into an ordeal so embarrassing it could be a villain origin story.

Having masterfully shattered every plan for his perfect summer before college, Bobby's last resort is working at his uncle's sleepy bookstore. Soon, Bobby is expertly recommending books for customers to perfectly cure what ails them. Attempting to rebound after a breakup? There's a book for that. Trying to tame your crochety coworker? There's a book for that too. Then a plot twist Bobby never saw coming walks through the door in the form of Luke, an unfairly attractive and staunchly anti-romantic lifeguard.

Bobby's blossoming connection with Luke reminds him of some of his favorite tropes: grumpy-sunshine, quippy banter, and even forced proximity. But after his last romantic disaster, should Bobby use all the tricks in his arsenal to turn Luke's head? Or is he misreading all the signs again? Do grand gestures really need to be so...grand?

Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli, Kacen Callender, and Jason June, Recommended Reading is a bighearted rom-com about discovering love beyond what's in the books...but hey, the perfect recommendation can get you pretty far!

'Recommended Reading is swoon-worthy in every possible way! Bobby's story is a sheer delight and an ode to book lovers everywhere who believe that the magic of stories reaches beyond the page.'

Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author

By: Paul Coccia
Imprint: Zando
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 209mm, Width: 139mm,
ISBN: 9781638931492
ISBN 10: 1638931496
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 01 June 2025
Recommended Age: From 12 years
Audience: Young adult , Preschool (0-5)
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Paul Coccia is the award-winning author of several acclaimed titles for young readers. Paul has a specialist in English Literature from the University of Toronto and a master of fine arts in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. He lives in Toronto with his nephew, three dogs, and a small grey parrot. When not writing glitterature, he's often found cooking but prefers baking. You can find out more at paulcoccia.com or on Instagram and Twitter: @pauljcoccia.

Reviews for Recommended Reading

“Recommended Reading is swoon-worthy in every possible way! Bobby’s story is a sheer delight and an ode to book lovers everywhere who believe that the magic of stories reaches beyond the page.” —Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author “With just the right combo of dramatic declarations, mixed-signal cuties, and crotchety coworkers, Paul Coccia shows that every last one of us is worthy of being the lead in our own love story. Recommended Reading is . . . well, recommended reading!” —Jason June, New York Times bestselling author “Paul Coccia’s Recommended Reading is very recommended reading for fans of romantic comedies that fizz with authenticity and humor. A love letter to romance that you’ll love reading.” —Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall and Lambda Literary award–winning author of Like a Love Story and Only This Beautiful Moment “Readers will fall in love with Recommended Reading! It has everything romance readers enjoy—small town vibes, dramatic declarations, witty banter, a swoony love interest, and a protagonist to root for. It’s hilarious, fun, and entertaining.” —F.T. Lukens, New York Times bestselling author “A winning will they / won’t they romance for anyone who’s ever dreamed of having a meet-cute in a bookstore. Readers will be rooting for Bobby as he matchmakes and book-talks his way to a true, well-earned main character moment.” —Andrew Eliopulos, author of The Fascinators “Equal parts sweet and dramatic, full of pop culture references and body positivity, Recommended Reading is for all the booklovers who know that sometimes getting to your own happy ending means having the courage to rewrite your own story. Simply delightful.” —Edward Underhill, author of Always the Almost and This Day Changes Everything