Lovers, the Liars, and Me

A teen travels to Jamaica looking for answers about her absent mother, only to find more than she bargained for—and to get caught up in a love triangle—in this dazzling young adult coming-of-age novel by award-winning author DeAndra Davis that “will resonate with fans of Ann Liang, Ebony LaDelle, and Lyla Lee” (School Library Journal).

Jaliya Powell has never had a real adventure or a real boyfriend—or spoken up for herself. She’s never even been kissed. Despite being valedictorian of her high school class, Jaliya is used to fading into the background.

But this summer will be different.

This summer, Jaliya is visiting her uncle and his family in Jamaica. Under the guise of one last vacation before college, she plans to find out more about her estranged mother, whose absence has remained an unspoken mystery. But things have changed in the seven years since Jaliya last visited. Her cousin has his own life and is reluctant to let Jaliya in, her childhood crush has only gotten hotter and more unavailable, and her aunt and uncle aren’t everything she remembered, either. Then she meets India, who’s vibrant, gorgeous, and free-spirited. And who makes Jaliya feel something she’s never felt before.

While searching for traces of her mother across the island, Jaliya finds herself entangled in complicated relationships, tricky secrets, and a passionate new love. As she navigates this perfectly complicated summer, Jaliya must choose between who she has always been and who she hopes to become.