{"title":"Katy Upperman","description":"Katy Upperman is a graduate of Washington State University, a former elementary school teacher, and an insatiable reader. When not writing for young adults, Katy can be found whipping up batches of chocolate chip cookies, or exploring the country with her husband and daughter. The Impossibility of Us is her second novel, following Kissing Max Holden.","products":[{"product_id":"the-impossibility-of-us-paperback","title":"The Impossibility of Us - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeautifully written, utterly compelling, and ultimately hopeful, this young adult novel by the author of \u003ci\u003eKissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e, asks--how brave can you be when your relationship is questioned by everyone you love?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe last thing Elise wants is to start over in a new town. But after her brother's death in Afghanistan, she and her mother move to a sleepy coastal village to be closer to Elise's sister-in-law and niece. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen Elise meets Mati during a beachside walk, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Mati is new to town, too. Over the course of the summer, their relationship begins to blossom, and what starts out as a friendship becomes so much more. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut as Elise and Mati grow closer, her family becomes more and more uncomfortable with their relationship, and their concerns all center on one fact--Mati is Afghan. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eThe Impossibility of Us\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e: \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eThe Impossibility of Us\u003c\/i\u003e runs the gamut, \u003cb\u003e from laughs to swoons, from goosebumps to tears\u003c\/b\u003e. It's a soaring, beautiful romance, for sure, but there are also so many powerful messages about \u003cb\u003eloss, desertion, racism, tolerance, love, equality, selflessness, friendship, family, and kindness\u003c\/b\u003e. Touching, well written, and impressively honest, \u003ci\u003eThe Impossibility of Us\u003c\/i\u003e is not to be missed.\" --Marci Lyn Curtis, author of \u003ci\u003eThe One Thing\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Leading Edge of Now\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50510927528159,"sku":"9781250309181","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/7VTZnUPRMM9781250309181.webp?v=1782953834"},{"product_id":"kissing-max-holden-paperback","title":"Kissing Max Holden - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEqual parts swoonworthy romance and deeply affecting family drama, this debut young adult novel about the boy next door turned super hot bad boy will have readers hooked from the very first kiss. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAfter his father's stroke, Max Holden isn't himself. As his long-time friend, Jillian Eldridge only wants to help, but she doesn't know how. When Max climbs through her window one night, Jill knows she shouldn't let him kiss her. But she can't resist, and when they're caught in the act by her dad, Jill swears it'll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith a new baby sibling on the way, her parents fighting all the time, and her dream of culinary school suddenly up in the air, Jill starts spending more and more time with Max. And even though her father disapproves and Max still has a girlfriend, not kissing Max is easier said than done. Will Jill follow her heart, and allow their friendship to blossom into something more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden once and for all? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eChosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads (swoonreads.com), Katy Upperman's debut novel \u003ci\u003eKissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e skillfully navigates the tenuous territory of bad influences, good friends, and complicated families. This is a fun, romantic contemporary young adult novel. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for\u003ci\u003e Kissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eKissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e is like the perfect slice of pumpkin pie: it's \u003cb\u003eequal parts sweet and spicy\u003c\/b\u003e, and you can't get enough of it! What a treat!\" --Jessica Love, author of \u003ci\u003eIn Real Life\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"A moving book with depth, \u003ci\u003eKissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e is \u003cb\u003eperfect for readers wanting a strong female character\u003c\/b\u003e in a realistic romance. \u003cb\u003eWonderfully written and swoony\u003c\/b\u003e.\" --Miranda Kenneally, author of\u003ci\u003e Catching Jordan\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eSarah Dessen fans rejoic\u003c\/b\u003ee--you are going to love Kissing Max Holden!\" --Lisa Schroeder, author of \u003ci\u003eChasing Brooklyn\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"\u003cb\u003eFull of wit, humor, and spine-tingling smooches\u003c\/b\u003e, \u003ci\u003eKissing Max Holden\u003c\/i\u003e combines the classic themes of \u003cb\u003econtemporary romance with riveting family drama\u003c\/b\u003e. . . . I literally could not put this book down and would buy a physical copy for my shelf in a heartbeat. I can't wait to read what Katy writes next.\" --Erin Bowman, author of \u003ci\u003eVengeance Road\u003c\/i\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50513060102367,"sku":"9781250158963","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/y2y1Idv2TJ9781250158963.webp?v=1782982804"}],"url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/collections\/katy-upperman.oembed","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}