Dear Wendy - by Ann Zhao (Hardcover)

About the Book

Two aromantic and asexual college students end up in an online feud while unknowingly becoming friends in real life, in this instant Indie bestselling platonic love story!

Book Synopsis

Two aromantic and asexual college students explore friendship, relationships, and queer identities in this bestselling debut described as "The platonic love story of my dreams!" by Alice Oseman, New York Times-bestselling creator of Heartstopper!

Sophie Chi is in her first year of college and has long accepted her aroace (aromantic and asexual) identity. She knows she'll never fall in love, but she enjoys running an Instagram account that offers relationship advice to students at her school. No one except her roommate can know that she's behind the incredibly popular "Dear Wendy" account.

When Joanna "Jo" Ephron (also a first-year student and aroace) created their "Sincerely Wanda" account, it wasn't at all meant to be taken seriously. But now they might have a rivalry of sorts with Wendy's account? Oops. As if Jo's not busy enough having existential crises over gender identity, whether she'll ever truly be loved, and the possibility of her few friends finding The One then forgetting about her!

While tensions are rising online, Sophie and Jo grow closer in real life, especially once they realize their shared aroace identity. Will their friendship survive if they learn just who's behind the Wendy and Wanda accounts?

This book is a work of fiction, but it deals with real issues including depictions of aphobia (discrimination against asexual and aromantic individuals), anxiety/stress from negative social media attention, frank discussions of sex and sexuality, and various diaspora feelings.

Review Quotes

An Instant Indie Bestseller!

"Zhao curates a realistic setting at a women's college full of angsty queer students caught in the throes of romance, self-doubt, and self-discovery, culminating in a gently sweet aro-ace rom-com and a raw and emotionally resonant debut." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This book is a love letter to chosen family, platonic love, and the aromantic and asexual communities. If you have ever wished that more romances were about friends, or if you've ever found yourself thinking that Jo March from Little Women was probably aromantic, then you need to do yourself a favor and pick it up." --Booklist, starred review

"Jo, Sophie, their friends, and their family members all have nuanced identities and strong relationships that enrich the narrative and worldbuilding. The no romo love story aroaces have been waiting for." --Kirkus

"A fun, a-spec rom-com steeped in the Wellesley College setting, perfect for fans of Kacen Callender or Mason Deaver." --School Library Journal

"The platonic love story of my dreams! DEAR WENDY fluently speaks the language of contemporary aroace spaces and celebrates the healing power of community and understanding for those of us who can feel deeply alone in our life experience. Added to an entertaining Instagram feud and the relationship dramas of a liberal arts college, this book was so delightful, affirming, and heartwarming. " --Alice Oseman, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Heartstopper

"The sort of love that modern storytelling needs. Dear Wendy is a warm embrace in book form--for a-spec identity, for coming-of-age, and for friendship that ties the very soul." --Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

"Reading Dear Wendy felt like sitting down with a friend you've known your whole life. Ann Zhao's voice is so witty, warm, and effortlessly charming in this pitch-perfect coming-of-age story and love letter to friendship--I'm an instant fan." --Ann Liang, author of If You Could See the Sun

"A charming and warm coming-of-age story that deftly explores friendship, a-spec identities and relationships as a whole." --Adiba Jaigirdar, award-winning author of The Dos and Donuts of Love

"Every page feels like a warm hug. Zhao beautifully crafted a story that will resonate and represent readers while also showing the amazing--and various--ways our hearts can love." --Alechia Dow, author of The Sound of Stars

"Dear Wendy is a richly heartfelt story that celebrates the healing powers of newfound community and friendship. Zhao's debut is a unputdownable blend of timely humor, accessible queer theory, and dimensional platonic relationships all explored through the daily minutiae and chaos of early college life." --Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All

"Charming, vivid, and sweetly subversive--Dear Wendy is an ode to community, kinship, and unraveling others' assumptions. An evergreen reminder that the best love stories aren't always romantic." -Becky Albertalli, New York Times Bestselling Author of Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda

"Heartfelt and hilarious, DEAR WENDY shows how powerful and life-changing platonic love can be. Ann Zhao tenderly explores the importance of found family, queer platonic love, and the joy and comfort that comes with finding people who get you better than anyone else." --Aiden Thomas, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Sunbearer Trials and Cemetery Boys

About the Author