Crushing It

April 27, 2020
Parker’s frothy debut offers lots of rom-com antics but little heart. Sierra Reid, an Atlanta, Ga., video game developer, must overcome her fear of public speaking if she wants to be selected to pitch her company’s newest game at Gamescon in Germany. When she crashes and burns at her audition, her best friend convinces her to take part in the Chagrin Challenge, a multinight competition hosted by a local bar to see who can share the most humiliating story. Sierra decides to read an excerpt from her college diary detailing her intense, unrequited feelings for her arrogant classmate Tristan Spencer—who just happens to be in the audience. The only thing calming Sierra’s mortification is the support of the bar’s handsome owner, Alfie Jordan. As the competition continues, Sierra navigates her confused feelings for both Tristan and Alfie and learns the true nature of both men. Though Parker’s over-the-top humor will surely strike a chord with some readers, it frequently comes at the expense of character development and emotional honesty, and the juvenile behavior of the characters will disappoint mature romance fans. Readers looking for a laugh will be gratified, but those hoping for depth will find this an easy pass. Agent: Mike Hoogland, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

June 1, 2020
Sierra Reid is hoping to pitch her new role-paying game at Gamescon, a huge convention in Germany. She knows the game better than anyone in the company; the only problem is that she has an intense fear of public speaking because of an incident in college a decade before. In order to overcome her fears, Aida, her coworker, best friend, and roommate, convinces her to enter a local bar's diary slam. The challenge: whoever can reveal the most humiliating personal details wins a $1,000 prize. It's all fun and games when Sierra pronounces her undying feelings for her crush?until she sees her crush is in the audience, and in the contest. Crushing It will speak to gamers and romantics alike. The story pulls at readers' heartstrings as Sierra gets caught in a love triangle that has her torn between the past and the present, and gamers will love the references to new and old favorites. Parker crushes it in her debut novel, which can be read in one sitting.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)