Maysa is a hijabi-wearing Pakistani American who develops a relationship with Haydee, a former gang member, sex worker, and victim of human trafficking still working to escape her pimp. There is an acid attack and Maysa abandons Islam as she comes out.
Publisher’s Description
Maysa Mazari is alarmed by her mother’s talk about arranged marriage. As a hijab-wearing Pakistani-American, she wants to find love on her own. Her judgmental Muslim clique has protected her from racist taunts, although the leader is turning on her as Maysa strays from the group because of her attraction to Haydee.
Haydee Gomez is a former gang member and juvenile detention student. Now living with a clean-cut aunt, she wants to turn her life around, even though one person will never let her forget her roots—Rafe, her abusive pimp. Haydee attempts to pull away from a life of prostitution when she develops feelings for Maysa, although Rafe isn’t willing to give her up too easily.
Finding themselves in danger from Maysa’s friends and Haydee’s pimp, it’s apparent their love disturbs everyone around them as they fight to stay together.
Genre: Contemporary
Representation:
Gender:
Cis girls: Maysa, Haydee
Sexual Orientation:
Lesbian/Queer: Maysa, Haydee
Romantic Orientation:
Homoromantic: Maysa, Haydee
Race/Ethnicity:
South Asian: Maysa
Latinx: Haydee
Religion:
Islam: Maysa
Trigger Warnings: Forced sex work, human trafficking, sexual assault/rape, abuse, homophobia, Islamophobia.