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* Reasons We Break (2025)

* TJ Powar Has Something To Prove (2022)

Young Adult Contemporary | Coming Nov 4, 2025 from Disney-Hyperion (Disney)

In this romantic drama, Simran, the golden girl of her Sikh community, agrees to handle a gang's books to help former member Rajan avoid being forced back in—but, when her actions inadvertently drag them into a gang war, the two find out just what they’d be willing to sacrifice for each other.

As long as Simran has known Rajan, her immigrant community has warned her away. She knows what they call him, especially since he got out of juvie: an addict. A gangbanger. A killer.

But Simran can’t believe Rajan is beyond hope. She’s seen his thoughtfulness firsthand: He’s the only one who’s noticed the pressure she’s under to be perfect—and how close she is to breaking.

So when Rajan’s old gang tries to force him back in, Simran makes a desperate bargain: She’ll become their bookkeeper to clear his debts and keep him out of prison.

But Rajan won’t leave her side while she works, and their forbidden attraction is becoming harder to ignore. Worse, there’s a gang war brewing—and neither of them is likely to get through it unscathed . . . if they get through it at all.

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Young Adult Contemporary | Out now from Viking Books (Penguin Random House)

When TJ Powar—a pretty, popular debater—and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the “expectation” of dating an Indian girl and her Sikh cousin who does not remove her body hair being the “reality”—TJ decides to take a stand.

She ditches her razors, cancels her waxing appointments, and sets a debate resolution for herself: “This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self, and still be beautiful.” Only, as she sets about proving her point, she starts to seriously doubt anyone could care about her just the way she is—even when the infuriating boy from a rival debate team seems determined to prove otherwise.

As her carefully crafted sense of self begins to crumble, TJ realizes that winning this debate may cost her far more than the space between her eyebrows. And that the hardest judge to convince of her arguments might just be herself.

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German edition also available from Arctis!

PRAISE FOR TJ POWAR HAS SOMETHING TO PROVE

~ Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection ~

~ American Booksellers Association Kids' Indies Introduce and Indie Next Pick ~

~ German Youth Literature Prize Nominee 2024 ~

~ Amy Mathers Teen Book Award Finalist 2023 ~

~ American Library Association Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten Title ~

~ New York Public Library Best Books for Teens Pick ~

~ Ontario Library Association Best Bets Title ~

*“A refreshing take on the familiar self-love narrative." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

*"Invaluable fiction in a world that sorely needs to get over its obsession with appearances... a must-read for everyone–the young and the old." —Quill & Quire (starred review)

"Unlike any book I’ve read before… unflinchingly honest, real, and raw in its examination of body image." —Adiba Jaigirdar, author of The Henna Wars

"With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice." —Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest

"Fans of school stories will enjoy the humor, romance, and fun characters who navigate lost relationships, friendships that endure, and reminders that some people will always have your back—no matter how hairy it may be." —Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with heart, humor, and a swoon-worthy academic rivals-to-lovers romance of my dreams, Jesmeen Kaur Deo proves self-worth isn’t up for debate." —Jessica Parra, author of Rubi Ramos' Recipe for Success

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