Crystal Maldonado is a young adult author who writes with abundant feeling. Her work delves into the complexities of adolescent experience, capturing the nuances of young emotions with a distinct voice. Through her narratives, she explores themes of identity and growth, ensuring each word resonates deeply with her audience. Her style is both accessible and perceptive, drawing readers intimately into the lives of her characters.
Overweight sixteen-year-old Charlie yearned for her first kiss while her perfect best friend, Amelia, fell in love, so when she finally starts dating and learns the boy asked Amelia out first, she is devastated
You should know, right now, that I’m a liar. They’re usually little lies. Tiny lies. Baby lies. Not so much lies as lie adjacent. But they’re still lies. Twenty one-year-old Max Monroe has it all: beauty, friends, and a glittering life filled with adventure. With tons of followers on Instagram, her picture-perfect existence seems eminently enviable. Except it’s all fake. Max is actually 17-year-old Kat Sanchez, a quiet and sarcastic teenager living in drab Bakersfield, California. Nothing glamorous in her existence—just sprawl, bad house parties, a crap school year, and the awkwardness of dealing with her best friend Hari’s unrequited love. But while Kat’s life is far from perfect, she thrives as Max: doling out advice, sharing beautiful photos, networking with famous influencers, even making a real friend in a follower named Elena. The closer Elena and “Max” get—texting, Snapping, and even calling—the more Kat feels she has to keep up the façade. But when one of Max’s posts goes ultra-viral and gets back to the very person she’s been stealing photos from, her entire world – real and fake — comes crashing down around her. She has to figure out a way to get herself out of the huge web of lies she’s created without hurting the people she loves. But it might already be too late.
Set against the backdrop of a summer camp, two friends, Maggie and Nora, return to Camp Sylvania, now managed by the free-spirited Luna. While Nora seeks a memorable summer, Maggie is drawn to the supernatural, especially her connection with Logan from the previous year. As odd occurrences unfold, including the magical effects of Luna's moon water, the girls find themselves embroiled in another adventure. With their friends in peril, they must unite and confront the challenges that threaten their summer bliss.