Chloe Torres is bold, creative, and ready for art school—but before she moves on, she’s determined to fix what’s broken: her friendship with her two ex-best friends, Sienna and Ramona. Cue a spontaneous road trip to a boy band reunion concert in Vegas—what could go wrong?

This book is a heartfelt mix of road trip chaos, unresolved feelings, and emotional growth. Chloe’s voice is funny, honest, and vulnerable, and I loved how the story explored friendship, queer identity, fat positivity, ADHD, and Latine culture with so much care.

If you love stories about messy friendships, second chances, and figuring yourself out along the way—this one’s for you. Crystal Maldonado delivers a charming, emotionally rich YA that’ll leave you smiling (and maybe a little teary).

Thank you so much @coloredpagesbt @holidayhousebks @crystalwrote for having me on this tour 🩷🌷

Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours, Holiday House Books, and Crystal Maldonado for sending me an early copy for tour! 🥰🫶 Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 🥰🫶
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OMG! I loved this book so much and I think it might be my favorite of Crystal’s (idk though because I love them all 😊). Okay, let's start from the beginning - Chloe is dressed as a princess working a children's birthday party (what an opening!) when she runs into one of her two best friends from middle school. The trio had a messy breakup and hadn't seen each other all of high school so this sent Chloe for a loop. Since the group’s fallout Chloe’s best friend has been her cousin Diego whom I absolutely adore 🫶 and the two planned a bar crawl, but for museums, to celebrate Chloe’s 18th birthday. Chloe isnt a fan of change or growing up and her alot of things are changing in her life at the moment - she is turning 18, she moving out of state for college in a few weeks, her stepmom is giving birth to Chloe's first sibling soon, and so many other firsts that come with being an adult. I am a total Chloe in not waiting to grow up or have things change so I really relate to the character throughout the novel as she desperately tries to cling to nostalgia instead of looking toward the future. Unfortunately plans fall through for the birthday trip with Diego, so Chloe’s parents gift her with Intonation tickets - the boy band she and her friends adored in middle school. Their love for the band actually brought them together. Chloe’s dad is so beyond generous (and kind, caring, and protective - pls be my dad 🙏) and gifts her with 3 VIP tickets to the reunion show in Vegas. Chloe is beyond grateful but then realizes she doesn't know who to take. Until Chloe comes up with this beyond-crazy idea to reunite the friendship trio by taking a week-long road trip to Vegas and somehow the girls - Sienna and Romana agree. The three have become strangers in the years since their friendship and feelings (platonic and romantic) rise back to the surface for the girls during the week. Ugh, I love a road trip and this one is SO fun! 😫 I really felt like a fellow passenger while reading. The girls visit so many planned and unplanned places as they make their way across the country; each stop bringing a new surprise. It’s wonderful to see as the girls work through their past with each other and begin to reform their friendships. Chloe grew a lot as a character throughout the trip as it helped her become more independent and by the time she gets home, she feels a bit more ready for her future. Oh and of course, the love triangle resolves during the trip and I just love how it's handled and how they all three remain friends even with a relationship in the mix. I also LOVE Sienna and Ramona as their own characters. Sienna is very sweet and is excellent at planning things, I feel I have a special connection with her as during the book she has a migraine (something she mentions she has often) and as someone with chronic migraines, it felt amazing to be seen. 😌 I especially love how thoughtful Chloe and Ramona were while she had a migraine. And Ramona - omg she is super cool, has tattoos all over her arms, and is a tattoo apprentice. She has a rough exterior at first and we definitely see that at the beginning of the book, but she is loyal to those she loves, and once she lets you in, she's a total sweetheart. Oh and another thing, Chloe has ADHD, and it's shown throughout the book! I don't have ADHD - I don't think - I mean I actually might now that I’m thinking about it 😅, Autism and ADHD do go hand in hand 😂. Either way as someone with a neurodivergent brain, I think it was excellently represented. Overall, I really really loved all the characters (even the side characters), the story, all the vibes and thought it was such an amazing and fun read! 🥰
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Get Real, Chloe Torres is a perfect summer read for those looking for a fun road trip with queer Latine girls as different feelings and emotions are explored. Expect: a love triangle, fangirls, boy bands, adventure, and at the core, a book full of love! 💕
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Review ends here this is just a book tangent lol - When this book was announced, I was over the moon excited and then realized I never read Crystal’s previous book, The Fall of Whit Rivera. 🤦‍♀️ Curse you ARC pile I built myself! (read that in Dr. Doofenshmirtz's voice pls 😭) So I debated on if I should read it before starting Get Real, Chloe Torres, but Crystal’s other books were standalone, and Whit Rivera has all the fall vibes so I promised myself I would read it at the first hint of a cold breeze. 🍂 Welp, literally like in the first few chapters Whit Rivera is mentioned. 😅 Chloe and her are friends and she is seen throughout the book but not like a main side character I'd say. So you can totally read this as a standalone - I am just a person very passionate about reading/consuming stuff in general “in order”. Anyway, it totally wasn’t a problem in the end, I just wanted to share my own personal woes! 😂 But I am definitely even more excited to read The Fall of Whit Rivera and now I’m wondering is Chloe in that one??? 😮
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🏳️‍🌈Rep: Puerto Rician Fat Bisexual MC with ADHD, Argentinian Pansexual Prominent SC with Migraines, Latine Vegetarian Lesbian Prominent SC, Puerto Rician Gay Drag Queen SC

This was an extremely quick, and fun read. However, I think it tries to do to much to be really succesful to me personally. The set up for this sounded like an absolute blast, and honestly it was. However, the pacing of this book is just incredibly quick + it is a relatively short read as well. I do have to say that I did really like the road trip element. I thought it was really fun, and all the different stops they made along the way created some fun variety. On top of that the bucket list added for some fun shenanigans as well.
I adored the focus on friendship in this book, and I honestly wish it was the main focus of this book. Obviously there's a lot of hurt between these 3, and I would have loved to see them unpack that a little bit more than they eventually did. However, I did really love just how well they knew each other. Their dynamic together was so much fun as well, and I really loved the little moments they had together throughout the book.
However, the romance is where this falls flat for me. I really don't think it should have been included in the book. It is extremely underdeveloped, and I just didn't really see the chemistry there. I also feel like considering the very little amount of page time I just feel like cutting the romance and giving that page time to the friendship just would have strenghted that a whole lot more. I don't know if I'm making sense, but I do think the inclusion of the romance worked to this book's detriment to me.

I always love Crystal Maldonado books for their diverse representation of queer and brown characters. This was a sweet story of friends who had fallen apart who decide to take a roadtrip with the hopes of rekindling their friendship.

The roadtrip was a fun adventure as each character grew during the one week trip. The bucket list items were a fun way to draw the audience in.

I can’t wait to read more by this author.

We have seen things change in wavelengths between friends lately, due to more focus on interpersonal priorities, changing needs which don't connect anymore, but then you see these friendships which last despite the odds due to the focus on the moments of connection of being there together at the right moment, rather than basing off their personalities, which truly brings back the friendship to full circle, that you want to keep forever.

Well, in this book, Chloe had such a connection with her besties Sienna and Ramona, in middle school, but then sudden change in circumstances brings the friendship to an end abruptly due to different priorities and crushes. After a few years have passed, she is moving to college soon but she feels stuck, as if the world outside her is moving fast, but then she doesn't want to because she holds people far more important to her than other needs and she hates change. When she gets gifted tickets for a concert by their favorite band, she jumps on it to reconnect with them, to maybe make peace with the external world.

The book covers a road trip filled with items they plan on checking off their BFF list made years ago, what follows are great moments of self discovery, reconciliation, connection peppered with blooming of love, making it quite a heartwarming read. The writing kept me hooked till the end. The plethora of characters added their own touch to the whole story, bringing back nostalgia of pure connections. I enjoyed reading this one.

Book Recommendation - Definitely, for pure joy and fun of wholesome friendship connections.

Rounded up to 3.5 stars

When Chloe Torres plans the perfect summer to reunite her estranged childhood besties on a cross-country road trip to see their favorite boy band! —There’s only one problem: they haven't spoken in about four years.

I saw myself in Chloe and her friends. The characters and the storyline were relatable. It was nice that we were taken along for the road trip. I loved that this story was centered around a platonic relationship, but still had some romantic elements. I highly recommend. It is a great book to read for spring/summer.

I really enjoyed this coming-of-age story! The characters were fun and all very relatable at different points. Crystal Maldonado also does such a great job with writing about complicated family dynamics without making it feel too heavy for the rest of the book. I think that this is a wonderful young adult read with great LGBTQIA+ representation that highlights friendship, family, and a little bit of romance!

If you enjoy reading young adult coming of age novels I definitely recommend it. Additionally, if you are looking for books to recommend for younger queer folks, this could be a great option.

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for the E-arc!

While there are a lot of things to love about this book, I found that it just wasn't for me! Nothing is wrong with it, it's more about my personal tastes!

We follow Chloe as she is facing some changes in her life : she just turned eighteen, she has to figure out what she wanna study, she's gonna have a baby sister...
She's not talking to her 2 best friends anymore, but when she is gifted concert tickets for her birthday she invites them, because it's their favourite boy band who are reuniting for only one night !
They haven't talked for a while, but they accept to go with her on a road trip to L.A, where the concert will take place.
I liked the characters and how they managed to work out the issues of their friendship.
Chloe has a great evolution regarding her fear of change.
I also liked the romance, it was sweet
It's a story about friendship, love and family. I had a great time reading it !

Chloe Torres, like most teen girls in her small Massachusetts town (and the rest of the world), is OBSESSED with Intonation. For her 18th birthday, Chloe's dad gifts her 3 tickets to the charity reunion tour the boyband is playing in Las Vegas. The problem is, the two other people she would want to go with haven't spoken to her in 4 years, and Chloe has to convince them to join her on the cross-country drive to Nevada. In an attempt to rekindle their friendship, Chloe tries to plan the ultimate road trip. Things get off to a rocky start, and Chloe isn't sure Ramona and Sienna are here for the right reasons. However, as the trip progresses, Chloe cannot ignore the past. Their friendship imploded for various reasons the first time around, and it looks like they'll be headed toward the same fate if they don't start communicating soon. Will their love of Intonation bring them back together, or will this trip be for naught?

I LOVE CRYSTAL! I would also say this even if she weren't my hometown author (I promise). I have loved every one of her books, and this one was easily her best yet. I loved Chloe and all of the girls; I easily related to them as a boy band fan and someone who has rebuilt a friendship through said band (it's the Jonas Brothers if you haven't guessed). Also, if you're a Western Massachusetts resident (or former resident), you'll enjoy all the little easter eggs from our happy valley! This is a book I really wish I had when I was growing up. If you like feel-good books, please don't let the YA label scare you away. Crystal has a true talent and is SO good at being inclusive in her writing. Chloe is my ADHD twin, and it was so nice not to feel so alone. I can't stop saying it, but I LOVE CRYSTAL AND HER GIRLIES!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

As a fan of crystal Maldonado, I love this book. The book reminded me of the classic “Crossroads” movie with queen Brittany Spears and Zoe Saldaña with the story really being about friendship and finding yourself in terms of who you are and love life.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! Our three leads, Chloe, Sienna, and Ramona, are three queer, former friends who agree to go to a concert for their favorite band. But Chloe decides they should make it a road trip from Massachusetts to Las Vegas over a week. This book is still YA, but older YA (they are all 18) so there is a little swearing, drinking, and kissing, but nothing more. The beginning of the book felt a little cliché queer and almost gimmicky. But that fell away once the road trip started and it felt more realistic. Some plots were obvious, but all of the representation was nice. I was very unsure at the beginning but ended up really enjoying the book.

Get Real, Chloe Torres is a sweet coming-of-age romance about three childhood friends rekindling their friendship along a road trip to Las Vegas. Although I loved seeing them work on their friendship, I loved the road trip even more. It made me want to take on a road trip of my own. (Until I remembered I hate being in a car.)

Although the characters are eighteen years old, making them on the older side for YA stories, I do appreciate that it's innocent enough that younger readers can read this without any issues. The characters are exploring adulthood, but nothing they can't tell their parents (except the getting drunk part, maybe). This makes it the perfect book for younger teens who can't wait to grow up.


Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for giving me access to an e-arc for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book as it showed coming of age, friendship and a cosy romance. It had great varied representation throughout.

Thank you so much to @coloredpagesbt @holidayhousebks @crystalwrote for the advance copy of the book!

This book is out on May 13th, 2025.

I am such a fan of Crystal Maldonado that when I saw she was writing about a plus size character who is going on a road trip to see her favorite BOY BAND - say less, I'm there! If you do not already know, I am a fan girl through and through and love my share of boy bands. But this book is SO much more than our FMC Chloe love for them.

"Growing up seems to mean losing the parts of myself that have made me who I am. I don't want to get a job that keeps me so busy I only have four hours to myself at night - most of which I'll probably spend dreading the next day at work. It's inhumane and capitalistic and horrible and I hate it. But I know I won't have a choice."

Chloe is a newly graduate and embarking on her 18th birthday. Things in her life are changing and she is just not sure she is ready to grow up yet. She loves nostalgia and with her favorite band Intonation doing a charity gig in Vegas, she has been doing a lot of reflecting on the past. Her father and stepmom gift her on stage (you read that right) tickets to see the band in Vegas there are only 2 people she would want by her side. The relationship with Sienna and Ramona is estranged. We see Chloe's point of view of why she felt the relationships went astray and I was happy that she was able to have the conversations with both Sienna and especially Ramona on what went wrong all those years ago. Especially for a teenager, though reflecting back it may have seem like such a small thing but at the time felt like a huge deal.

I love Chloe's relationship with her cousin Diego who is more like her brother than anything. They are super close and share everything with one another. And guess what - he's a drag queen! Chloe's dad was very protective of her and for good reason. I didn't think he was super overbearing but just an average father looking out for his young daughter. He wanted to be cautious but at the same time knew that she needed to experience things on her own without him breathing down her neck. Overall the family was supportive of not only Diego but just in Chloe in general.

I thought the characters felt very much their age a la I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet a Woman. There were times where they felt grown but also times when I felt like they were normal 18 year olds experimenting and embracing their "freedom" being away from their parents. I love the representation that Maldonado wrote in the book! I love the openness of the girls' sexualities and how it was never questioned or was some big revelation, it just was.

This is not a long book and easily digestible in a setting or two. If you are looking for a book about friendship, reconnection, road trip, bucket list and of course boy bands - give this one a read!!

PS - As an adult reading this book, the quote that I highlighted above hits hard - oof!

PSS - HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THIS COVER!

4.5

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Thank you NetGalley and Holiday House for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is ADORABLE. Oh gosh, it was such a throwback to my days as a Directioner (forever love Niall 💕). This book was very nostalgic in that way. I like how the plot progressed and watching the three work through their problems. The side characters like Diego were just perfect at moving the plot along while also being hilarious. I just love how the author emphasized how much music can bring people together. I wish I could go see a reunion tour of One Direction (RIP Liam 😢) with friends from high school that I don't talk to anymore. But being able to live it through this book was honestly such an amazing experience. Gotta go put together a 1D playlist now. I highly recommend reading this book if you're a fan of boybands, road trips, and yearning!

4/5 stars

Tropes:
Coming of age
Sapphic love
Pining
Love triangle
ADHD rep
Latinx rep
Fat positivity
First love
Road trip
Single POV

I really enjoyed how the author managed this friendship/ love triangle. It could've been really dramatic and over the top but it was surprisingly low conflict and focused more on Chloe's personal journey and the friendships. I really appreciated the honesty of these characters, despite this being a YA, they were having confrontations and conversations that I couldn't even imagine having at 18 years old. As a reader is easy to relate to Chloe's struggles and coming of age journey.

Overall, the story was fun to read. I loved the characters and the representation. Highly recommend for fans of low conflict, cozy romances, and coming of age stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and Holiday House/ Peachtree/Pixel+Ink for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC!

The writing is very readable; I flew through this in a couple of hours. Based on the synopsis, I had expected more drama, but for the most part, any conflict that occurs is pretty quickly resolved.

I found the characters likable and easy to root for. While Chloe can come off a little too optimistic and naive, I found her rather charming and endearing.

Not gonna lie, I'm lowkey a sucker for books about fan wish fulfilment type stuff where the characters get to have their fan-ish dreams come true because I get to experience secondhand happiness from them, so this book made me VERY happy.

As a whole, this was a fun and easy read!

This was my first book by Crystal Maldonado, but I just read online that apparently Whit has her own book. I definitely want to read that!

Get Real, Chloe Torres is exactly what I'd hope for in a YA road trip romance: fun, heartfelt, dramatic, and just a little bit messy (in the best way, obviously.)

Chloe is navigating friendships, big feelings, and even bigger decisions as an 18-year-old, all while on a cross-country adventure to see her favourite boy band (also One Direction vibes? or just me?). I was hooked!

The ADHD rep felt super accurate, and I really appreciated how every character had their own layers from family dynamics to identity to emotional growth. It made the story relatable. I loved watching everything unfold. Oh, and I enjoyed my time so much when Diego made an appearance, I NEED his book (I'm aware that he doesn't have a book but I need it!)!!

This book had the perfect blend of summer vibes, emotional depth, and chaotic teenage energy. I flew through it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

This was my second Crystal Maldonado book, and I loved it almost as much as I loved The Fall of Whit Rivera; I also loved getting a tiny peek at Whit and Zay.
Get Real, Chloe Torres is precisely what you would expect from a YA road trip romance.
It´s fun, cute and dramatic. I loved all the drama, Diego and I were sitting there eating popcorn and enjoying this mess because Chloe wants Sienna, Ramona wants Chloe, and I know I did say multiple times that I do not like love triangles, but this doesn’t count, it´s ok when he queers do it!!
In addition, the ADHD rep was really on point, and the characters are well developed, each with unique struggles, family dynamics, and identities.
This was a very fun and easy read; I basically breezed through it; it´s the perfect summer read. Now I am craving a road trip!