Press Start

Ready Player One meets Love, Simon in this soft YA about a queer teenager moving to new town and uncovering a digital world of friendship and love.

A new game has turned the world into an augmented playground where Loren hopes to win first place and the attention of the girl she likes. Bored with daily chores, Loren grinds levels in Holo Heroes and local meet-ups serve as a jumping-off point to a new augmented world around her. But what started as casual fun turns into an accidental rivalry with a veteran champion of the game. Soon she's racing towards the national stage to see who will take the grand title.

Can Loren survive the embarrassment of losing when all her new friends are watching, or will she rise to the challenge?

Press Start is a low angst story that reimagines retro party games and mixes them with modern day fun. If you like small-town heroes, cute queer representation, or always wished you could go on your own digital monster adventure, then you'll love this book.