A student exchange program mix-up turns hilarious and heartwarming in this YA rom-com from debut author Dan Perucco—cultural exchange has never been this complicated.
Enzo Rossi knows that Irontown, Michigan—the small declining mining town he calls home—isn't exactly a study-abroad dream destination. So when his family is chosen to host an exchange student, he welcomes the opportunity to spend his senior year with a fellow music nerd from the outside world.
But when the Rossis arrive at the airport expecting Davit from Tbilisi, Georgia (the country), they're greeted instead by Garrett Andersen, a handsome football jock from Atlanta, Georgia (the state). Apparently something got lost in translation.
Living across the hall from someone so cool, so hot, and so obviously straight is not what Enzo signed up for. He can't stop putting his foot in his mouth, and Garrett—infuriatingly—always has a comeback ready. Enzo dismisses Garrett as a spoiled, cocky city boy, and Garrett writes off Enzo as too stuck up for his own hometown.
While Garrett dazzles the rest of Irontown with his Southern charm, Enzo starts stumbling over his feelings. The more time Enzo and Garrett spend together, the harder it is for both boys to keep their guard up . . . and the closer they come to finally seeing each other clearly.
