Kiss and Repeat
Heather Truett
Published by: Swoon Reads
Publication date: May 25th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
In Heather Truett’s Kiss and Repeat, a teen uses the scientific method drilled into him by his scientist father to begin a kissing experiment. Only the experiment gets messy, and Stephen will have to come clean if he wants to win one girl’s heart in this heartfelt and funny YA debut.
Stephen Luckie isn’t so lucky in love. He’s completely inexperienced when it comes to girls, and wonders if his tics – caused by Tourette’s Syndrome – are the reason.
Then a game at a party reveals that his body goes still while kissing. Using the scientific method drilled into him by his scientist father, Steven begins the best experiment ever–one that involves kissing as many girls as possible. Who knew science could be so fun?
But when the experiment gets underway, Stephen begins to question how he treats girls – and if his tics have been standing in his way at all. With two girls interested in him, he has to figure out what really matters to him and what he’ll risk – and gain – by being his true self.
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EXCERPT:
I took another step toward the door, hoping Mom went out- side to take a phone call, and the cashier called out, “Excuse me.” I turned to her, face already twisting into a grimace. Her attention made things worse. I’d really hoped to talk to her later, not fall apart in front of her within ten minutes of meeting. The tension built and then . . . shoulder jerk, face grimace, finger flex, foot fling.
The cashier was lifting her phone from the cradle as she spoke. “Are you okay? Do I need to call someone?”
She was so pretty, dark hair in a messy bun and eyes full of concern. “Like, should I call 911?” She leaned forward on the counter, still holding the phone.
“No,” I snapped, fighting to control the grimace. If I could at least keep my face normal, that’d be great. “I’m fine. I have Tourette’s.”
For years, I wouldn’t tell anyone about Tourette’s syndrome. If a stranger asked, I’d stare wide-eyed until Mom came to the rescue or else I’d flat out run away.
Eventually, I discovered it’s easier to own it. It is what it is, and there’s even a lot of good to be said for neurodivergence. Mom says that most of the historic figures that changed our world for the better were probably neurodivergent. Their brains worked differently, so they thought differently, and then they acted differently, and it made a difference. However, if I could just lose the tics themselves, then maybe a girl would notice me for some reason other than to be scared something was wrong with me.
“Oh.” She lowered the phone. “That’s the one where you curse a lot, right?”
My cheeks burned and my whole body ached with the effort of holding back tics.
“Like on that show? I can’t remember the name, but it was on MTV, and the kid would scream out curse words . . .” She trailed off, watching me.
“No,” I said through gritted teeth.
Now it was her turn to blush. “I’m sorry. I just—”
I cut her off. “It’s fine.”
But it wasn’t fine. I was out of time and the tics won. Jerk jerk jerk went my shoulder. I covered my face to hide my grimace. The bell over the door tinkled and Mom reappeared with two lemonades. “I couldn’t resist popping over to Toomer’s. Here.” She handed me one cup, smiling like a kid with cotton candy.
“I’m really sorry,” the cashier said again.
Mom’s smile faded as she watched my face.
Author Bio:
Heather Truett is a novelist and poet. She is currently an MFA candidate at the University of Memphis. She is represented by Hilary Harwell of KT Literary.
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3 comments:
Thanks for being on the tour!
Thank you!!!
nice cover
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