With or Without You

Everyone in Philly knows about the legendary rivalry between cheesesteak food trucks Plazas Steaks and Ortiz Steaks. Recent high school graduates Jordan Plazas and Cindy Ortiz stir the pot by trading creative insults that amass huge crowds, whose videos of the feud go viral. What customers and spectators don’t realize is that it’s all an act, and that Jordan and Cindy have been secretly dating for years. But while Jordan can’t wait to buy his own food truck and set off across the country with Cindy, she’d rather attend college to study the television industry. When their families are approached to film a reality show about their rivalry, Cindy and Jordan face added pressure to keep their relationship under wraps, especially once they’re lined up to compete at the Truck Off! food truck fair. As the competition mounts, real grievances boil over and things spiral out of control. This energetic rom-com by Smith (You Can Go Your Own Way) offers Philadelphia atmosphere and culinary enthusiasm aplenty. The complex dynamic between the protagonists and their families further stokes the narrative fires, resulting in a savory, if sometimes frenetic, tale of love, laughter, family, and good food. Characters read as Latinx. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jennifer Azantian, Azantian Literary. (Nov.)