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22 books added

Crystal Maldonado

Crystal Maldonado is a writer by night and a marketer and social media manager by day. She has been published in Latina magazine, The Hartford Courant, and Dogster, and is the co-founder of the online magazine Positively Smitten. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is her debut novel, and was bought in a competitive pre-empt as part of a two-book deal. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband, her dog, and her super-duper adorable baby daughter.

Genres: Young Adult Romance

New and upcoming books

July 2026

13 Little Love Stories

Series

Camp Sylvania (with Julie Murphy)
Moon Madness (2024)

Novels

   Fat Chance, Charlie Vega (2021)
   No Filter and Other Lies (2022)
   The Fall of Whit Rivera (2023)
   Get Real, Chloe Torres (2025)

Collections

13 Little Love Stories (2026) (with others)

Crystal Maldonado recommends

Love at Full Tilt (2025)
Jenny L Howe
"Jenny L. Howe's writing is pure magic. Love at Full Tilt is an enchanting love story about self-discovery, friendship, fat girl joy, and finding your happily-ever-after."

Twelfth Knight (2024)
Alexene Farol Follmuth
"Between the expertly executed slow burn romance, intricate world building, delightful grumpy-sunshine banter, and genuinely joyful cast of characters, Twelfth Knight completely stole my heart. Whipsmart, hilarious, fantastical, and downright swoonworthy, Twelfth Knight is the Excalibur of nerdy, feminist, YA romcoms."

The No-Girlfriend Rule (2024)
Christen Randall
"The No-Girlfriend Rule is the fat, nerdy book of my dreams. A beautiful reminder that if you've ever felt like an 'other,' there is still space for you at the table."

We Got the Beat (2024)
Jenna Miller
"A sweet, sapphic delight from start to finish, We Got the Beat is the perfect read for fat queer girls with big dreams. With humor and heart, Jenna Miller celebrates friendship, identity, bodies, family, romance, and the unfettered joy of figuring out who you are, what you want, and what you deserve."

The Weight of Everything (2023)
Marcia Argueta Mickelson
"A poignant, raw, and emotional story of grief, loss, and the courage it takes to fight for our beliefs--and ourselves."

The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom (2023)
Allison L Bitz
"A funny, bold, and heartwarming ode to the thrill of performing, the beauty of friendships, the joy of falling in love, and the satisfaction of self-discovery. THE UNSTOPPABLE BRIDGET BLOOM is a beautiful reminder to be bold, love big, and take up space."

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway (2023)
Ashley Schumacher
"A swoon-worthy read about body positivity, fate and choice, re-discovering who you are in the wake of grief, and giving yourself permission to open your heart to love and tenderness."

Last Sunrise in Eterna (2023)
Amparo Ortiz
"A gripping fantasy that serves as a love letter to Puerto Rico, magic, and boricuas, Amparo Ortiz's immersive world-building takes readers on a gripping, emotional adventure and artfully celebrates bravery, friendship, family, and forging your own path."

Brighter Than the Moon (2023)
David Valdes
"Mixing charm and humor with a cast of delightfully messy teens you can't help but root for, Brighter Than the Moon offers a refreshing exploration of friendship, love, online personas, and identity. David Valdes perfectly captures the earnestness of being a teen trying to figure out your place in the world."

Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity (2022)
Angela Velez
"Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity is a tribute to girls everywhere as they figure out who they are and who they hope to be. Sharp, funny, and full of heart, it perfectly captures the heartbreak and joy of sisterhood, first crushes, familial expectations, and growing up."

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