In Cervantes's (the Storm Runner series) heartening romantic comedy with a speculative twist, a 17-year-old journalism intern of Mexican heritage must befriend a handsome stranger to reclaim a family blessing, or risk cutting off her kin from otherworldly gifts forever. While "stubborn, quick-witted" rising high school senior Ava Granados "thinks very little" of fate, she does believe in benedición: a magical deathbed blessing that women of the Granados family can bestow upon their female descendants. After a storm and minor car accident delay her en route to see her dying grandmother, Margarita, Ava arrives with just enough time to say goodbye--and learn that it's too late to receive her blessing. But when the ghost of Margarita Granados returns with a saint in tow, Ava learns that all might not be lost if she can find the guy who received her blessing, instead. With playful banter ("I truly despise being a ghost, mija, and do not recommend it"), well-drawn intergenerational familial relationships, and a delightfully atmospheric meet-cute, Cervantes's romantic tale will charm readers in search of a little magic--and a touch of outside narration à la Jane the Virgin. Ages 12--up. Agent: Holly Root, Root Literary. (Apr.)

Seventeen, studying journalism, and living with her sisters in the City of Angels, Ava Granados believes only in that which she can see. She's about to see a lot more. The women of the Granados family have the gift of blessings: Upon her death, a matriarch like Ava's beloved Nana has the chance to bestow blessings upon her female descendants. When a freak storm keeps Ava from reaching Nana's bedside in time and disrupts the passage of her blessing before Nana dies, Ava is faced with an unlooked-for challenge, unbelievable new companions, and a boy she has no intention of falling for. Intertwining past and present, stories already told and stories yet to be discovered, debut author Cervantes carries Ava through the tumultuous summer before her senior year of high school with style, charm, and wisdom. This novel will especially resonate with any young person whose formative years have been paved with stories of fierce and industrious ancestors. The Mexican American Granados sisters sit at the junction of Hollywood affluence and immigrant grit, their perspectives adding a vibrant thread to the contemporary tapestry of Latine fiction. And Los Angeles, a city of bold dreams and glittering destinies, is a character all its own: Each lovingly described neighborhood, canyon, and beach brings new emotion to the narrative. An original twist on the modern fairy tale amplified by sisterly affection and a poignant sense of place. (Fiction. 12-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

It's traditional in Ava's family for each female member to inherit a blessing from another who is on her deathbed. When Ava's grandmother is about to pass, Ava doesn't make it in time to receive her blessing. In an unexpected twist of fate, however, the introverted teen learns that her grandmother cannot move on from being a wandering ghost unless Ava retrieves the blessing from Orion, the cute boy who accidentally inherited it. Although the story is told in third person, Ava's perspective is the focus, so the various mysteries of the different characters and developing predicament of extracting a blessing from a virtual stranger remain intact. Lots of characters and subplots, especially those concerning Ava's family dynamics (absent mother; hardworking, self-made father; affectionate and caring sisters), enliven the overall story. Ava's goal of helping her grandmother by retrieving her blessing with the help of a saint is complicated by the guilt she feels about lying to Orion about her motives. A stirring romance where the magic is rooted in the relationships among the characters.