A heartfelt, witty, and thought-provoking YA love story about two teens who fall for each other while forced apart during quarantine, written by two New York Times bestselling authors, and for fans of Five Feet Apart, Anna and the French Kiss, and My Life Next Door

Maxine and Jonah meet in the canned goods aisle just as California is going into lockdown. Max’s part-time job as a personal grocery shopper is about to transform into a hellish gauntlet. Jonah’s preexisting anxiety is about to become an epic daily struggle. As Max and Jonah get to know each other through FaceTime dates, socially distanced playground hangs, and the escalating heartbreaks of the pandemic, they’re pushed apart by what they don’t share and pulled closer by what they do.

As thoughtful, probing, and informed as it is buoyant, romantic, and funny, Hello (From Here) cuts across differences in class, privilege, and mental health, all thrown into stark relief by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s a novel that looks at the first two months of the quarantine, and adds falling in love to the mess.

"Hello (From Here) isn't just a book about the pandemic." —PopSugar
"It's also a funny, poignant romcom about the unpredictability of love in chaotic times. . . . Excellent." —BCCB
* "Satisfyingly banter-filled." —PW, starred review
“Sweet . . . Effectively rendered.” —Kirkus
"Realistic." —SLJ
"Not your typical romantic comedy, [it's] a timely update of the genre." —Booklist
"Witty, entertaining . . . endearing and relatable.” —Common Sense Media
"An unputdownable story that YA readers will adore.” —Brightly
“Funny, romantic, and eerily familiar.” —author Kelly Loy Gilbert
“Witty, hilarious, heart-filled, and romantic.” —author Jeff Zentner
"In a category of its own. . . . Wonderful.” —Postmedia

A witty and thought-provoking YA love story set during the COVID-19 quarantine, written by two NYT bestselling authors, with shades of Five Feet Apart and Anna and the French Kiss.

Maxine and Jonah bump into each other in the canned goods aisle of the grocery store just as the state of California is going into lockdown, when everything changes completely. Could there be a worse time to meet? Max's part-time job at a supermarket is about to transform into a hellish gauntlet. Jonah's preexisting anxiety is about to become an epic daily struggle. As Max, Jonah, and their friends live together but apart through hijinks, humanity, and heartbreak, Hello (From Here) cuts across urgent matters much bigger than a teenage crush. Differences of class, privilege, mental health, and sacrifice are thrown into stark relief by the profound and personal stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. As thoughtful, probing, and informed as it is buoyant, romantic, and funny, Hello (From Here) looks at the first two months of the quarantine and adds falling hopelessly in love to the mess.

Story Locale: Orange County, CA

"Much more than just a pandemic story, it's also a funny, poignant romcom about the unpredictability of love in chaotic times. The romantic leads are enjoyably complex, with authentic, relatable strengths and weaknesses, and their different backgrounds offer a window into how class impacts one’s ability to cope. . . . Ultimately hopeful while acknowledging the unknowability of the future, it’s an excellent option for romcom readers who want a realistic romantic romp for our times." —BCCB

“Loss, love, and unusual circumstances combine into an unputdownable story that YA readers will adore.” —Brightly

★ "A satisfyingly banter-filled rom-com told in alternating voices . . . Max and Jonah’s struggles with romance, their families, and their individually complicated circumstances make for a timely story that offers a creative take on how hope and romance can persist in difficult times." —Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"Hello (From Here) isn't just a book about the pandemic. [It's] a sweet love story between two teens [whose] relationship blossoms even as mental health issues, the toll of the pandemic, and social distancing threatens to keep them apart." —PopSugar

"Engaging . . . Unusually strong . . . Not your typical romantic comedy, Baker and King’s collaborative novel offers a timely update of the genre." —Booklist

“A realistic teen romance that touches on important issues.” —SLJ

“Sweet . . . Effectively rendered.” —Kirkus

“Highlights [much more than] the uncertainty of living through the pandemic . . . Witty, entertaining . . . endearing and relatable.” —Common Sense Media

“Alternately funny, romantic, and eerily familiar, Hello (From Here) is a story about how life goes on when the world stops around you.” —Kelly Loy Gilbert,award–winning author of Picture Us in the Light

“Years from now, when asked what lifeduring COVID was like, I’ll recommend Hello (From Here), because of what a witty, hilarious, heart-filled, and romantic reminder it is that love and light can emerge from the most trying times.” —Jeff Zentner, Morris Award–winning author of The Serpent King

“Written with a light touch and deft humour, [the] entire book is in a category of its own. . . . COVID is just one of several issues the book’s characters grapple with. . . . A wonderful, cohesive story of two unlikely characters coming together at a time when people are mostly staying apart.” —Postmedia