The Jasmine Project - Softcover

Ireland, Meredith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1534477039 ISBN 13: 9781534477032

Verlag: S&S Books for Young Readers, 2022

Inhaltsangabe

Jenny Han meets The Bachelorette in this “sparkling, witty, warm-hearted gem” (Karen M. McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying) of a romantic comedy about a teen Korean American adoptee who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a competition for her heart, as orchestrated by her overbearing, loving family.

Jasmine Yap’s life is great. Well, it’s okay. She’s about to move in with her long-time boyfriend, Paul, before starting a nursing program at community college—all of which she mostly wants. But her stable world is turned upside down when she catches Paul cheating. To her giant, overprotective family, Paul’s loss is their golden ticket to showing Jasmine that she deserves much more. The only problem is, Jasmine refuses to meet anyone new.

But…what if the family set up a situation where she wouldn’t have to know? A secret Jasmine Project.

The plan is simple: use Jasmine’s graduation party as an opportunity for her to meet the most eligible teen bachelors in Orlando. There’s no pressure for Jasmine to choose anyone, of course, but the family hopes their meticulously curated choices will show Jasmine how she should be treated. And maybe one will win her heart.

But with the family fighting for their favorites, bachelors going rogue, and Paul wanting her back, the Jasmine Project may not end in love but total, heartbreaking disaster.

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Meredith Ireland was born in Korea and adopted by a New York librarian. Her love of books started early and although she pursued both pre-med at Rollins College and law at the University of Miami, stories were her fate. She currently resides with her two children, and Bob, a carnival goldfish, who’s likely a person. She writes young adult books, some of which you may like. She is the author of The Jasmine Project and Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller.

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Chapter One CHAPTER ONE
Burrito Fridays are an institution. The cornerstone of my relationship with Paul and how we started dating. One fateful day in freshman bio he passed me a note that said, “Wanna go to Chipotle y/y?” and the rest was history.

I framed the ripped piece of paper and it rests on my dresser next to pictures of us at junior prom last year and senior prom this year. Yes, it’s a little cheesy that I kept the note and bedazzled JASMINE ?S PAUL on the frame, but that’s okay. Cheese is honest.

I pull my long hair into a ponytail just as my sister knocks on my door.

“Almost ready?” she asks.

Carissa’s giving me a ride to Tijuana Outpost. I’m sure Paul would’ve picked me up if I’d asked, but I like driving with Cari. I missed her this past year when she was away at college.

“Almost done,” I say.

“You look pretty, Jaz.” She smiles.

Do I? Not compared to her, but I take a last look in the mirror. I look okay—Korean and kind of plain. I wish I were comfortable wearing the tiny rompers and miniskirts that catch Paul’s eye, but even this spaghetti-strapped shirt makes me uneasy. I keep moving it around hoping it’ll cover more boob, and so far… no. No, it does not.

I fuss with it more, then give up. It’s fine. Really. No one will be looking at me, anyhow.

“All set,” I say.

Cari stands straight to her ridiculous five-nine height. She’s the combo of our Filipino and white parents and a full eight inches taller than me. Everyone asks if she’s a model. Note: no one happens to ask me that question.

“Davey’s coming along for the ride,” she says as we pad down the cool, tiled hall.

“Ugh, he’s just trying to mooch a free burrito,” I say.

“He definitely is. Stay strong, little sis,” Cari says with a wink.

As we walk into the living room, Davey jumps up from lounging on the couch.

“Man, I’m so hungry,” he says, patting his T-shirt-clad stomach. I swear it’s like he ESPed his way into our burrito conversation. “Basketball really took it out of me today,” he continues. “I wish… shoot, if only I could get a part-time job like you guys. Mom and Dad are being extra stingy with the allowance, and I’m starving.”

He reminds me of Mrs. Hernandez’s twenty-two-pound cat, Cuddles, who circles, mews, and begs for food like he’ll waste away if there’s not kibble in his dish, stat.

“You don’t get an allowance because you don’t help around the house,” Cari says, folding her arms.

“Because he doesn’t need an allowance,” I say. “Aren’t you at least a part-time bookie at this point?” I reach up and run my hand over his brown curls.

He skews his face trying to look hard. It fails. He has the same deep dimples as when he came into our family as a toddler. Of the three Yap kids, zero of us look alike, two are adopted, two are Asian biracial, and we’re 100 percent family.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Davey says. “Just because a man can spot some hidden financial opportunities does not make him a bookie.”

“Man? What man? Where?” I arch my eyebrow.

“I don’t see one.” Cari puts her hand on her forehead, scanning.

Davey pushes my palm off his head, which isn’t hard as he’s fourteen but already six inches taller than me. He frowns. “Damn, you guys.”

“Aw, we’re sorry, baby,” Cari says.

She does not, incidentally, sound sorry.

“I’m crushed,” he says. “I gotta think this kind of offense to my manhood is worth say… half a burrito from each of you.” He rubs his palms together and waits.

“You’re pathetic,” Cari says at the same time I say, “Fine.”

He smiles, all white teeth against dark brown skin. He knew I’d give in. But he’s my little bro and I can’t help it.

We make our way over to the shoe tray and slip on our flip-flops.

“We should probably bring dinner home anyhow,” Cari says. “Mom’s at the hospital until eight, and she’ll be hungry.”

Our mother is a labor and delivery nurse at Orlando Medical Center and works long shifts, plus overtime. Years ago I started making dinner on the four nights a week she’s gone, since Dad and Cari are amazing except… not at cooking. And Dad’s out of town today for a library conference, anyhow. I hadn’t realized Mom was staying at work through dinnertime. If it weren’t Burrito Friday, I’d whip something up, but I can’t let Paul down.

“I’ll treat to takeout from Tijuana’s,” I say.

“Nah, I got it, Jaz. I just got paid from the ad sponsors,” Cari says.

My sister is the host of a wildly popular The Bachelor podcast. It’s the number-one teen fancast, podblast, or whatever. Our whole family talks about it. Except me. Podcasts aren’t my thing, and neither are fake romance reality shows, but it makes her happy and earns her money so I’m all for it. She’ll need to save up anyhow, being prelaw.

“And, no offense, but we’ll probably get Agave,” she adds, opening the front door.

None taken. I know it’s better.

“Sweet! Yes! Agave!” Davey says with an arm pump. “Burrito and queso and chips and guac for Daveeey.”

“You’re not getting queso and guac,” Cari says.

We step into the soupy humidity of Florida in May, and she locks our wooden door behind her.

“Cari!” Davey clutches his chest. “How could I possibly choose between the smoothness of avocado and the beauty of cheesy goodness?”

“You’re cheesy, all right,” Cari mutters.

“I like both too,” I say as we head to the carport. “I wish Paul weren’t lactose intolerant and we could split queso fundido.”

Cari and Davey exchange looks as she unlocks the Corolla. As I stare from one to the other, I get a distinct uncomfortable feeling. Like I farted in an elevator or something and they don’t know what to say.

“What?” I look around.

“Nothing,” they respond at the same time.

Yeah, that’s not weird. “No. What?”

“It’s just that Paul…,” Cari says. Then she opens the driver’s-side door and slides behind the wheel.

“It’s just that Paul what?” I open the passenger door but pause before getting in.

“Well… it’s just that he sucks,” Davey says, diving into the backseat.

I sigh and lower myself into the red car. It’s not the first time we’ve had the Paul Kinda Sucks discussion, but it’s been a while. My family doesn’t see him the way I do, and we’ve accepted the impasse. Mostly.

“He has a food allergy, Davey,” I say. “That’s not the same as being difficult.”

My seat belt clicks like it agrees with me. It’s weird to sit in the passenger side of what’s been my car since Cari left for college. Freshmen at Miami can’t have cars on campus,...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: S&S Books for Young Readers
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2022
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 1534477039
• ISBN 13: 9781534477032
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 416
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Simon and Schuster Netherlands BV; info@simonandschuster.nl; ; Herculesplein 96; Utrecht; 3584 AA; Niederlande