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Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams: A Funny and Moving Coming-of-Age Novel for Teens
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
28 days and 15:25:27
5 copies available
U.S. only
Never Have I Ever meets Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute in this hilarious and moving YA coming-of-age about a girl juggling way too many lies, one very off-limits crush, and a secret summer internship—all while steering clear of the dreaded f-word: her future.
Ezzie Ramos is a champion secret keeper. Her brilliant-professor mami and nosy abuelita don’t know about her daily ritual (wandering the art museum), her college applications (hopelessly blank), or her summer plans (avoiding the dreaded f-word, a.k.a. her future, at all costs).
Ezzie’s biggest secret? She’s interning at Sprout, the urban garden she’s stunned to discover her father founded weeks before his death. All she knows about Papi begins and ends with his dazzling scientific research legacy—but what if he dreamed of a different path too?
With seven weeks to uncover who Papi really was, Ezzie must chase down every lead, even if it means tangling with Sprout’s star volunteer, Gabe McCalister, who couldn’t be more off-limits—or distractingly cute. But as Ezzie begins to put down roots at Sprout, she learns that secrets, like seeds, have a way of growing toward the light. . . .
Ezzie Ramos is a champion secret keeper. Her brilliant-professor mami and nosy abuelita don’t know about her daily ritual (wandering the art museum), her college applications (hopelessly blank), or her summer plans (avoiding the dreaded f-word, a.k.a. her future, at all costs).
Ezzie’s biggest secret? She’s interning at Sprout, the urban garden she’s stunned to discover her father founded weeks before his death. All she knows about Papi begins and ends with his dazzling scientific research legacy—but what if he dreamed of a different path too?
With seven weeks to uncover who Papi really was, Ezzie must chase down every lead, even if it means tangling with Sprout’s star volunteer, Gabe McCalister, who couldn’t be more off-limits—or distractingly cute. But as Ezzie begins to put down roots at Sprout, she learns that secrets, like seeds, have a way of growing toward the light. . . .
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
About the author
Angela Velez
5 books68 followersAngela Velez grew up in Baltimore, under the watchful eye of her Peruvian immigrant parents. She has a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh. Angela lives in Pittsburgh, with her piles of books, three plastic flamingos, and one wobbly disco ball. Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thanks to netgalley + the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts are my own.
🌿𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ ᰔᩚ🪴🐝
i always wondered what it would be like if so many things i loved were in a book. in all honesty i dont know if i've felt this way about a story since i read ann liang's writing. because contemporary ya is such a great but also semi boring genre at times, this book knocked it out of the part call it shohei ohtani.
what does this have
🪴 banter like actually good banter
🪴 plants and gardening rep
🪴 actually likeable fmcs
🪴 swoonworthy mmcs
🪴 realistic plot duhhh
🪴 side characters that are actually likeable like hellooo
🪴 and a latina rep like, lets go babes
what i love
i find writing five star reviews hard because oftentimes i have so many things i like about the book that i cannot express it in words but that five star rating should be more than enough. each word in this book was perfect and the vibe, prose and plot mixed with how all the characters did everything was just like chefs kisses.
i will be purchasing a copy and literally obsessing because it's too gorgeous. please pick up a copy of this book and i'll maybe figure out words for how to describe it.
~
the inside is JUST as good as the cover.
full review to come !!!
🌿𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒ ᰔᩚ🪴🐝
i always wondered what it would be like if so many things i loved were in a book. in all honesty i dont know if i've felt this way about a story since i read ann liang's writing. because contemporary ya is such a great but also semi boring genre at times, this book knocked it out of the part call it shohei ohtani.
what does this have
🪴 banter like actually good banter
🪴 plants and gardening rep
🪴 actually likeable fmcs
🪴 swoonworthy mmcs
🪴 realistic plot duhhh
🪴 side characters that are actually likeable like hellooo
🪴 and a latina rep like, lets go babes
what i love
i find writing five star reviews hard because oftentimes i have so many things i like about the book that i cannot express it in words but that five star rating should be more than enough. each word in this book was perfect and the vibe, prose and plot mixed with how all the characters did everything was just like chefs kisses.
i will be purchasing a copy and literally obsessing because it's too gorgeous. please pick up a copy of this book and i'll maybe figure out words for how to describe it.
~
the inside is JUST as good as the cover.
full review to come !!!
Did Not Finish
May 10, 2026DNF
nothing against the book, I just wasn’t feeling in the mood for this right now + wasn’t a fan of the content.
nothing against the book, I just wasn’t feeling in the mood for this right now + wasn’t a fan of the content.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams” by Angela Velez is one of those soft, heartfelt YA reads that sneaks up on you in a good way. It’s messy, warm, a little chaotic, and very much about figuring out who you are when everything in your life feels uncertain.
The story follows Ezzie, a high school senior who is very good at keeping secrets. She’s avoiding thinking about her future, dodging college applications, and quietly dealing with the lingering grief of losing her dad years ago. When she discovers that he had plans to start a community garden called Sprout before he died, she decides to secretly intern there to learn more about him.
And yes, she lies about it. To pretty much everyone. Which obviously goes great and never backfires at all (not).
What starts as a simple summer internship turns into a whole journey of self-discovery. Through Sprout, Ezzie begins uncovering a different side of her father—one that isn’t just the polished, academic version her family talks about. It’s really about realizing that people (especially the ones we love) are more complicated than the stories we’re told.
The emotional core of this book is so strong. The family dynamics, especially between Ezzie, her mom, and her abuelita, feel real and layered. There’s grief, tension, love, and a lot of things left unsaid. I especially loved the grandmother’s presence and the little bits of wisdom she brings; it adds so much heart.
Ezzie herself is such a likable narrator. She’s funny, a little dramatic, very relatable, and definitely flawed. Her “web of lies” gets increasingly complicated, but you understand why she’s doing it, which makes it more frustrating in a “girl please just be honest” way rather than an annoying one.
There’s also a romance with Gabe, who happens to be her best friend’s ex, so there is some immediate drama. It’s very much a slow burn, and honestly, it feels realistic for this age. Awkward, sweet, a little messy. It never overshadows the main story, which is nice; it’s there, but it’s not the point.
And then there’s the whole garden setting, which I loved. It’s not just a backdrop; it ties into everything: growth, roots, identity, and the idea that secrets (like seeds) don’t stay buried forever. There’s even a symbolic escaped parrot running around the story that kind of mirrors Ezzie’s situation, which is a fun little touch.
If I had to nitpick, the plot itself is pretty low-stakes and character-driven, so if you’re looking for something super dramatic or fast-paced, this might feel a bit quiet. But that’s also kind of its strength; it’s more about emotional growth than big plot twists.
Overall, this is a really thoughtful, tender coming-of-age story about identity, family, and learning how to be honest with others and yourself. It’s the kind of book that feels especially perfect for that “what am I doing with my life?” stage.
If you like character-driven YA with heart, a little romance, and a lot of self-discovery, this one is definitely worth picking up.
“Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams” by Angela Velez is one of those soft, heartfelt YA reads that sneaks up on you in a good way. It’s messy, warm, a little chaotic, and very much about figuring out who you are when everything in your life feels uncertain.
The story follows Ezzie, a high school senior who is very good at keeping secrets. She’s avoiding thinking about her future, dodging college applications, and quietly dealing with the lingering grief of losing her dad years ago. When she discovers that he had plans to start a community garden called Sprout before he died, she decides to secretly intern there to learn more about him.
And yes, she lies about it. To pretty much everyone. Which obviously goes great and never backfires at all (not).
What starts as a simple summer internship turns into a whole journey of self-discovery. Through Sprout, Ezzie begins uncovering a different side of her father—one that isn’t just the polished, academic version her family talks about. It’s really about realizing that people (especially the ones we love) are more complicated than the stories we’re told.
The emotional core of this book is so strong. The family dynamics, especially between Ezzie, her mom, and her abuelita, feel real and layered. There’s grief, tension, love, and a lot of things left unsaid. I especially loved the grandmother’s presence and the little bits of wisdom she brings; it adds so much heart.
Ezzie herself is such a likable narrator. She’s funny, a little dramatic, very relatable, and definitely flawed. Her “web of lies” gets increasingly complicated, but you understand why she’s doing it, which makes it more frustrating in a “girl please just be honest” way rather than an annoying one.
There’s also a romance with Gabe, who happens to be her best friend’s ex, so there is some immediate drama. It’s very much a slow burn, and honestly, it feels realistic for this age. Awkward, sweet, a little messy. It never overshadows the main story, which is nice; it’s there, but it’s not the point.
And then there’s the whole garden setting, which I loved. It’s not just a backdrop; it ties into everything: growth, roots, identity, and the idea that secrets (like seeds) don’t stay buried forever. There’s even a symbolic escaped parrot running around the story that kind of mirrors Ezzie’s situation, which is a fun little touch.
If I had to nitpick, the plot itself is pretty low-stakes and character-driven, so if you’re looking for something super dramatic or fast-paced, this might feel a bit quiet. But that’s also kind of its strength; it’s more about emotional growth than big plot twists.
Overall, this is a really thoughtful, tender coming-of-age story about identity, family, and learning how to be honest with others and yourself. It’s the kind of book that feels especially perfect for that “what am I doing with my life?” stage.
If you like character-driven YA with heart, a little romance, and a lot of self-discovery, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams by Angela Velez is a realistic novel about discovering your roots. High School Senior Ezzie is desperate to learn more about her father, who died 8 years ago. Her archeologist mother won't talk about him because it hurts too much, and her grandmother only says that he was a college professor who loved his job. But then Ezzie discovers that he had planned to start a not-for-profit plant nursery called Sprouts just before he died. Needing a summer internship for school, Ezzie finds a way to work at Sprouts in hopes of finding out more about her dad by interviewing people who were there when it began. Ezzie's mother is on a work trip out of the country, and Ezzie knows her mom wouldn't want her working at Sprout. So she lies about it, and finds that it's harder and harder to keep lying. At Sprouts, Ezzie gets paired up with Gabe, another volunteer who is also Ezzie's best-friend Dora ex-boyfriend, and therefore, their mortal enemy. But almost as soon as Ezzie is elbow-deep in dirt at the nursery, she discovers that Gabe isn't all that bad of a person -- so she lies by omission to both Dora and Gabe. There's also an escaped parrot named Lola that has become a local celebrity as it is spotted around town while its keepers from the National Aviary try to get it back into captivity -- an easy to catch thematic element symbolizing Ezzie's freedom to search for her father with her mother gone, and just as the parrot is captured, Ezzie's mother returns and all the lies catch up with her. This is a heartfelt novel about navigating your own space in a fraught and tense family (and friend) situation, with healthy and reasonable real-world resolutions. There is some romance, but the focus is less about focusing on 'getting the boy' than it is discovering family history and mending rifts with Ezzie's mother and grandmother.
This delightful realistic young adult novel deserves a place in every high school library! And plenty of home bookshelves as well. I highly recommend this book!
This delightful realistic young adult novel deserves a place in every high school library! And plenty of home bookshelves as well. I highly recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This delightful realistic young adult novel deserves a place in every high school library! And plenty of home bookshelves as well.
High School Senior Ezzie is desparate to learn more about her father, who died 8 years ago. Her archeologist mother won't talk about him because it hurts too much, and her grandmother only says that he was a college professor who loved his job. But then Ezzie discovers that he had planned to start a not-for-profit plant nursery called Sprouts just before he died. Needing a summer internship for school, Ezzie finds a way to work at Sprouts in hopes of finding out more about her dad by interviewing people who were there when it began. Ezzie's mother is on a work trip out of the country, and Ezzie knows her mom wouldn't want her working at Sprout. So she lies about it, and finds that it's harder and harder to keep lying. At Sprouts, Ezzie gets paired up with Gabe, another volunteer who is also Ezzie's best-friend Dora ex-boyfriend, and therefore, their mortal enemy. But almost as soon as Ezzie is elbow-deep in dirt at the nursery, she discovers that Gabe isn't all that bad of a person -- so she lies by omission to both Dora and Gabe. There's also an escaped parrot named Lola that has become a local celebrity as it is spotted around town while its keepers from the National Aviary try to get it back into captivity -- an easy to catch thematic element symbolizing Ezzie's freedom to search for her father with her mother gone, and just as the parrot is captured, Ezzie's mother returns and all the lies catch up with her.
This is a heartfelt novel about navigating your own space in a fraught and tense family (and friend) situation, with healthy and reasonable real-world resolutions. There is some romance, but the focus is less about focusing on 'getting the boy' than it is discovering family history and mending rifts with Ezzie's mother and grandmother.
I highly recommend this book!
High School Senior Ezzie is desparate to learn more about her father, who died 8 years ago. Her archeologist mother won't talk about him because it hurts too much, and her grandmother only says that he was a college professor who loved his job. But then Ezzie discovers that he had planned to start a not-for-profit plant nursery called Sprouts just before he died. Needing a summer internship for school, Ezzie finds a way to work at Sprouts in hopes of finding out more about her dad by interviewing people who were there when it began. Ezzie's mother is on a work trip out of the country, and Ezzie knows her mom wouldn't want her working at Sprout. So she lies about it, and finds that it's harder and harder to keep lying. At Sprouts, Ezzie gets paired up with Gabe, another volunteer who is also Ezzie's best-friend Dora ex-boyfriend, and therefore, their mortal enemy. But almost as soon as Ezzie is elbow-deep in dirt at the nursery, she discovers that Gabe isn't all that bad of a person -- so she lies by omission to both Dora and Gabe. There's also an escaped parrot named Lola that has become a local celebrity as it is spotted around town while its keepers from the National Aviary try to get it back into captivity -- an easy to catch thematic element symbolizing Ezzie's freedom to search for her father with her mother gone, and just as the parrot is captured, Ezzie's mother returns and all the lies catch up with her.
This is a heartfelt novel about navigating your own space in a fraught and tense family (and friend) situation, with healthy and reasonable real-world resolutions. There is some romance, but the focus is less about focusing on 'getting the boy' than it is discovering family history and mending rifts with Ezzie's mother and grandmother.
I highly recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tangled Roots & Wild Dreams is the kind of book I wish I’d had when I was sixteen. Seeing a girl like myself reflected on the page at that age would have meant everything. The story follows a girl on the cusp of her senior year who needs a summer internship to graduate. After her father’s death when she was ten, she learns that he was once involved in a community garden project named Sprout. What begins as a volunteer commitment soon becomes her school project and a journey of self-discovery. Through the garden, she uncovers deeper connections to her father, her family, and even her first experience with love. The slow-burn romance feels incredibly authentic for this age group, capturing that instinct to please everyone while never quite being honest with yourself or others. The settings are beautifully described, the guidance from her abuelita is heartfelt and wise; I loved her dichos. Most importantly, the characters were all real, flawed, uncertain, and growing. This novel is tender, honest, and deeply relatable.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
More of a YA book due to language and content, but a fun choice for high school readers.
More of a YA book due to language and content, but a fun choice for high school readers.
April 9, 2026
I didn’t really care for this book or connect with the characters
May 12, 2026
A comfort read for sure. Warm and beautiful from start to finish. 🩵
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews