The Nature of Love

By Sydney Langford

A queer romcom following two teens with polar opposite personalities who must team-up for a grueling off-the-grid competition... and quickly realize surviving the great outdoors is only half the battle. For fans of Page Powars and Rachael Lippincott

Zane Kerrigan is a troublemaker. Well . . . according to his strict dad, who ships Zane off to summer camp instead of their tropical family vacation. Even worse, he quickly discovers hikes and mosquito bites pale in comparison to the Wilderness Trials: Northwest Juniors, a grueling off-the-grid survival competition where contestants spend weeks trekking through Oregon's harshest terrain. Worst of all? He's paired with Leif "Nature Prodigy" Mackenzie.

Leif is nothing if not a by-the-book survivalist and the Trials aren't a game to them; it's the key to achieving their lifelong dream. Leif aims to conquer the wilderness--even if their disability doesn't always cooperate--so Zane's addition to their team is an unwelcome surprise. After all, Zane thinks "roughing it" involves an air mattress and porta potty.

As daunting challenges and natural disasters force the polar opposites to work together, Leif and Zane realize their differences could lead to success--and their initial bickering sparks an unexpected connection. But in a competition where only one team can win, falling for your teammate might be the riskiest move of all . . .

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374393702
• ISBN13: 9780374393700
• Release Date: May 2027
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Byr)
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 7 to Postsecondary