No Filter and Other Lies a

You should know, right now, that I'm a liar.

They're usually little lies. Tiny lies. Baby lies. Not so much lies as lie adjacent. But they're still lies...

Golden-haired Max Monroe has it all- beauty, friends, and tons of followers. Her picture-perfect existence seems eminently enviable.

Except it's all fake.

"Max" is actually Kat Sanchez, a quiet and sarcastic 17-year-old living in drab Bakersfield, California. Nothing glamorous about her existence — just bad house parties, a crap school year, and the awkwardness of dealing with best friend Hari's unrequited love.

But while Kat's life is far from perfect, she thrives as Max — doling out advice, sharing beautiful photos, networking with fans, even finding a real friend (or more? — Is Kat into girls!?) in a gorgeous Fat follower named Elena. But the closer Elena and "Max" get, the more Kat feels she has to keep up the fa ade. "Max" is the first time people have really listened to what Kat has to say — and after a lifetime of invisibility (including ice-cold indifference from her parents) can she really give that up?

But when one of Kat's posts goes viral and gets back to the girl she's been stealing photos from, her entire world — real and fake — comes crashing down around her. Can she escape the web of lies she's woven without hurting the people she loves?

This insightful, provocative novel — hilarious and raw by turns — is the second book from Crystal Maldonado, author of smash-hit New England Book Award Winner Fat Chance, Charlie Vega. Brilliantly plotted, deeply sensitive, and rich in voice, No Filter and Other Lies deftly addresses FOMO, first love, one-sided love, frayed family ties, raced exclusion on social media, queer awakenings, and learning to live with — and love — yourself.

Because the most powerful lies are the lies we tell ourselves.

ISBN: 9780823453320 | Published: 16 May 2023 | Trade paperback | 336 pages