Kisses, Codes, and Conspiracies

Gr 9 Up–Set in modern day Palo Alto, this novel is equal parts romance and adventure. Tan Lee has a crush on Winter Woo, who lives with her mom in rooms rented in his home. After going to prom together, the two decide to distance themselves for the sake of their families. In addition, Winter believes Tan still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Tseng. Then Tan’s parents and Winter’s mom take a trip to Hawaii together, leaving Tan and Winter at home to babysit Tan’s little sister, Sana. To complicate matters, Rebecca reappears on his doorstep after ghosting him for months. She has three rare coins stolen from her father; she ran away from her parents and is trying to start a new life in California, and she needs Tan’s help. Tan, Winter, Rebecca, and Sana soon find themselves on the run, trying to outsmart international hackers and get home safely before their parents return from Hawaii. Wen’s story is thrilling and keeps readers engaged with intricately woven plot twists. The mix of high school drama with espionage is executed seamlessly, making the story both relatable and exciting. Wen’s writing style is crisp and engaging, with a good balance of dialog and description. Her ability to convey the tension and excitement of espionage, as well as the emotional nuances of teenage life, makes the book a compelling read.