The Vacation Shift
Will be published approx. on 13. August 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-06-343062-4 (ISBN)
Description
Gilmore Girls meets a reverse Parent Trap in this swoony and hilarious YA rom-com from popular adult romance author Lily Chu, following a teen who, while on a group tour to Japan, teams up with a fellow traveler to keep their parents from falling in love with each other.
Ivy Yu is cursed. Her parents separated six months ago, and she's fallen into a fog. To help, her mother books an impulsive trip to Japan (cool) on a bus tour (very uncool). Ivy should be grateful, but this summer is her last chance to get her situationship, Connor, to fall in love with her.
When they arrive in Tokyo, it's even worse than she imagined. Ivy and her Mom are the youngest of a group of seniors. Make that two of the youngest: there's brooding Matteo, with his single dad, Keith.
Then Ivy discovers her mother and Keith are getting close, and her crush back home is hooking up with someone else. Desperate for some semblance of control and a distraction from the heaviness she can't seem to shake off, she makes a deal with Matteo to keep their parents apart. Luckily, he agrees-and their devious plans begin.
Dodging nosy old ladies on the bus ride through Japan, their strange partnership begins to blossom into something unexpected and exciting-but can their romantic spark survive the journey?
Ivy Yu is cursed. Her parents separated six months ago, and she's fallen into a fog. To help, her mother books an impulsive trip to Japan (cool) on a bus tour (very uncool). Ivy should be grateful, but this summer is her last chance to get her situationship, Connor, to fall in love with her.
When they arrive in Tokyo, it's even worse than she imagined. Ivy and her Mom are the youngest of a group of seniors. Make that two of the youngest: there's brooding Matteo, with his single dad, Keith.
Then Ivy discovers her mother and Keith are getting close, and her crush back home is hooking up with someone else. Desperate for some semblance of control and a distraction from the heaviness she can't seem to shake off, she makes a deal with Matteo to keep their parents apart. Luckily, he agrees-and their devious plans begin.
Dodging nosy old ladies on the bus ride through Japan, their strange partnership begins to blossom into something unexpected and exciting-but can their romantic spark survive the journey?
Reviews / Votes
"Chu's young adult debut features an engaging romance that gradually builds through shared struggles with challenging family dynamics and expectations. An affecting, character-focused slow-burn." - Kirkus ReviewsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Target group
Young adult
US School Grade: Ninth Grade and over, Interest Age: From 14 to 99 years
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
265 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-343062-4 (9780063430624)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Lily Chu is the critically acclaimed author of eight books, and The Vacation Shift is her first young adult book. Her romances have been released in audio as Audible Originals, performed by Phillipa Soo, and translation rights have been sold in nine languages. She lives in Toronto, Canada, with her family and far too many (yet not enough) books. Follow her on Instagram @lilychuauthor, or sign up for her newsletter at www.lilychuauthor.com for news and updates.