Join Ali Hazelwood and Aaron H. Aceves for a conversation on teenage love and self-discovery in their YA debuts. In Check & Mate, Mallory Greenleaf begrudgingly enters a chess tournament and beats world champion Nolan Sawyer; when her victory offers her much-needed cash prizes and a fellowship, Mallory grows closer to her rival while playing the game that destroyed her family four years prior. In This is Why They Hate Us, Enrique “Quique” Luna plans to overcome his long-term crush on his friend Saleem Kanazi by pursuing other romantic prospects — over the course of the summer, Quique navigates mental health struggles, becomes better acquainted with his peers, and learns more about what he really wants in a partner. Celebrate the messy, honest relationships of teen protagonists and the sharp, clever humor of Hazelwood and Aceves in a panel that romance fans won’t want to miss.

SPONSORED BY AMPLIFY CREDIT UNION

FESTIVAL FRIENDS PASS SESSION

Moderator: Kailey Hunt

Book Signing: 5:00 PM at FUMC Ali Hazelwood, Check & MateAli Hazelwood, Aaron Aceves, Check & Mate, This Is Why They Hate UsAli Hazelwood, Aaron Aceves, Check & Mate, This Is Why They Hate UsAli Hazelwood, Aaron H. Aceves, Check & Mate, This Is Why They Hate UsAli Hazelwood, Aaron H. Aceves, Check & Mate, This Is Why They Hate Us