Audiobook Review: The Summer of Jordi Perez by Amy Spalding

The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding was a cute, quirky, and fun read! This book has summer written all over it and yeah it takes place over summer break. I can’t thank Forever Young Audiobooks for the amazing opportunity to read and review the this amazing title. Receiving a review copy in no way sways my opinions on the book or audiobook.

 

The Summer of Jordi Perez (And the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding

Category: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBT
Publication: April 3rd 2018; Sky Pony Press
April 17th 2018; Forever Young Audiobooks
Purchase: Amazon, Audible

Seventeen, fashion-obsessed, and gay, Abby Ives has always been content playing the sidekick in other people’s lives. While her friends and sister have plunged headfirst into the world of dating and romances, Abby has stayed focused on her plus-size style blog and her dreams of taking the fashion industry by storm. When she lands a prized internship at her favorite local boutique, she’s thrilled to take her first step into her dream career. She doesn’t expect to fall for her fellow intern, Jordi Perez. Abby knows it’s a big no-no to fall for a colleague. She also knows that Jordi documents her whole life in photographs, while Abby would prefer to stay behind the scenes.

Then again, nothing is going as expected this summer. She’s competing against the girl she’s kissing to win a paid job at the boutique. She’s somehow managed to befriend Jax, a lacrosse-playing bro type who needs help in a project that involves eating burgers across L.A.’s eastside. Suddenly, she doesn’t feel like a sidekick. Is it possible Abby’s finally in her own story?

But when Jordi’s photography puts Abby in the spotlight, it feels like a betrayal, rather than a starring role. Can Abby find a way to reconcile her positive yet private sense of self with the image that other people have of her?

Is this just Abby’s summer of fashion? Or will it truly be The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles)?

 

Review:

[book rating=5/5]

The Summer of Jordi Perez was definitely fresh. This is a fun, sweet, and queer summer romance. I loved the friendships, the morality, and the messages throughout.

Abby is fashion blogger who wants to break into the fashion industry but refuses to ever highlight herself on her blog. Her mother is a professional health blogger, and puts a lot of pressure on Abby. That stress causes her to have self-esteem issues. Meeting Jordi was a real game changer for Abby.

Jordi is basically the foil to Abby. Where Abby is all bright colors, talkative, and a fashionista. Jordi is into dark colors, quiet, and her dream is photography. They are both interning at a local boutique and competing for the paid position in the fall. The more they spend time together the more they both fall for each other.

One thing as a queer girl who loves YA, it is hard for me to find happy rom-coms in the genre. I love that as readers we are finally getting more of these books. My heart was happy with each and every word. This is a wonderful story of first love and learning to accept yourself.

I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the “Best Burger in LA” part of the book. Jax is a jock, who is best friends with Abby’s best friend’s boyfriend. Yeah. He invites Abby to help him do research for his father’s new app, to rate burgers in LA to help determine the best places around town. They start a great friendship, and add in some real comedic elements.

I devoured this audiobook in one day, there was no way I was going to pause. The narrator, Cassandra Morris, was perfect. There wasn’t a single hiccup in the production. I love contemporary romance audiobooks because you can really feel the emotion in the words.

Amy Spalding’s voice is strong and I look forward to more amazing queer romance. The Summer of Jordi Perez is a great & must addition to the lesbian YA genre. I highly recommend it to be added to everyone’s summer reading TBRs. Take this quick, smart read to the beach or to the pool! I guarantee you’ll smile throughout!