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Miss Meteor
A gorgeous and magical collaboration between two critically acclaimed, powerhouse YA authors offers a richly imagined underdog story perfect for fans of Dumplin’ and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
There hasn’t been a winner of the Miss Meteor beauty pageant who looks like Lita Perez or Chicky Quintanilla in all its history.
But that’s not the only reason Lita wants to enter the contest, or her ex-best friend Chicky wants to help her. The road to becoming Miss Meteor isn’t about being perfect; it’s about sharing who you are with the world—and loving the parts of yourself no one else understands.
So to pull off the unlikeliest underdog story in pageant history, Lita and Chicky are going to have to forget the past and imagine a future where girls like them are more than enough—they are everything.
There hasn’t been a winner of the Miss Meteor beauty pageant who looks like Lita Perez or Chicky Quintanilla in all its history.
But that’s not the only reason Lita wants to enter the contest, or her ex-best friend Chicky wants to help her. The road to becoming Miss Meteor isn’t about being perfect; it’s about sharing who you are with the world—and loving the parts of yourself no one else understands.
So to pull off the unlikeliest underdog story in pageant history, Lita and Chicky are going to have to forget the past and imagine a future where girls like them are more than enough—they are everything.
Audiobook
First published September 22, 2020
66 people are currently reading
11315 people want to read
About the author
Tehlor Kay Mejia
21 books1,185 followersTEHLOR KAY MEJIA (he/him) is a bestselling and award winning author of books for all ages.
His debut young adult novel, WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE, received six starred reviews, as well as the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, and the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner up honor for debut speculative fiction. It has been featured on Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books lists, and was a 2019 book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Tehlor’s debut middle grade novel, PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS, was published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney/Hyperion. It received four starred reviews, and was named Amazon’s best book of 2020 in the 9-12 age range.
Tehlor strives to create stories which showcase the importance of community, radical inclusion, and abolitionist values. He lives with his child, wife, and two dogs in his home state of Oregon, and is active on Instagram @tehlorkay.
His debut young adult novel, WE SET THE DARK ON FIRE, received six starred reviews, as well as the Oregon Spirit Book Award for debut fiction, and the Neukom Institute Literary Arts Award runner up honor for debut speculative fiction. It has been featured on Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books lists, and was a 2019 book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal.
Tehlor’s debut middle grade novel, PAOLA SANTIAGO AND THE RIVER OF TEARS, was published by the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney/Hyperion. It received four starred reviews, and was named Amazon’s best book of 2020 in the 9-12 age range.
Tehlor strives to create stories which showcase the importance of community, radical inclusion, and abolitionist values. He lives with his child, wife, and two dogs in his home state of Oregon, and is active on Instagram @tehlorkay.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 598 reviews
November 17, 2025
The Miss Meteor pageant is one of the most talked about events in Lita and Chicky's town. The winners are always traditionally beautiful and absolutely perfect.
But then one day, Lita decides to enter despite not matching the unspoken requirements of a pageant girl...she wants to show the world that there's more than looks to pageantry. She has the heart and soul of a winner.
This one was okay for me.
Lita and Chicky were fun main characters and I enjoyed watching them interact and overcome challenges.
The plot wasn't life-shattering but I was entertained as I read it but I don't think I'll be going in for a reread any time soon.
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
July 2, 2021
3.5 stars
There is so much love pressed into the pages of this book; not to sound cheesy, but this truly feels like a story that embodies love in all its forms. It is full of friends and sisters who support the protagonists, sometimes in their own, unconventional ways, but steady no matter what. The parents in this story are also loving and understanding, and it was refreshing to see both Lita and Chicky care so much for them too. And perhaps one of the loveliest surprises of this book for me was the romances, full of just so much… joy. They care so deeply for each other as friends and also yearn for each other, and some of the scenes genuinely made me feel butterflies over how sweet they were.
At the center of Miss Meteor, though, is self-love and empowerment: not only owning all the pieces of yourself and claiming them as a vital part of you, but being proud of them and everything you are. It was beautiful to see all the characters reclaiming what they had been shamed for, whether it was their sexuality, gender, or body. And it is such a heartwarming message, presented with such endearing characters, that you can’t help but find yourself smiling because of this book, and comforted by it too. The only reason I docked off a half star was that there were just a few things I found to be a bit unrealistic/weird, and I didn’t completely love the writing style (especially after being familiar with McLemore’s flowery style). But this is truly a perfect book to reach for if you want a quick, charming read about friendship, family, and self-empowerment with a hint of stardust.
—★—
:: representation :: fat Latina MC, pansexual Latina MC, trans boy LI, Latine LI, Latine characters
:: content warnings :: racism, xenophobia, lesbophobia (including lesbophobic slurs), fatphobia, transphobia, bullying
There is so much love pressed into the pages of this book; not to sound cheesy, but this truly feels like a story that embodies love in all its forms. It is full of friends and sisters who support the protagonists, sometimes in their own, unconventional ways, but steady no matter what. The parents in this story are also loving and understanding, and it was refreshing to see both Lita and Chicky care so much for them too. And perhaps one of the loveliest surprises of this book for me was the romances, full of just so much… joy. They care so deeply for each other as friends and also yearn for each other, and some of the scenes genuinely made me feel butterflies over how sweet they were.
At the center of Miss Meteor, though, is self-love and empowerment: not only owning all the pieces of yourself and claiming them as a vital part of you, but being proud of them and everything you are. It was beautiful to see all the characters reclaiming what they had been shamed for, whether it was their sexuality, gender, or body. And it is such a heartwarming message, presented with such endearing characters, that you can’t help but find yourself smiling because of this book, and comforted by it too. The only reason I docked off a half star was that there were just a few things I found to be a bit unrealistic/weird, and I didn’t completely love the writing style (especially after being familiar with McLemore’s flowery style). But this is truly a perfect book to reach for if you want a quick, charming read about friendship, family, and self-empowerment with a hint of stardust.
—★—
:: representation :: fat Latina MC, pansexual Latina MC, trans boy LI, Latine LI, Latine characters
:: content warnings :: racism, xenophobia, lesbophobia (including lesbophobic slurs), fatphobia, transphobia, bullying
// buddy read with cath!
July 7, 2020
Things this book has:
- fantastic pansexual rep
- casual and heartfelt trans rep
- friends-to-lovers TIMES TWO
- beauty pageant shenanigans
- sibling love/hate/endless support
- characters making mistakes and GROWING from them
- the phrase "the snake-haired, coming-out Medusa"
- my whole heart ❤
- fantastic pansexual rep
- casual and heartfelt trans rep
- friends-to-lovers TIMES TWO
- beauty pageant shenanigans
- sibling love/hate/endless support
- characters making mistakes and GROWING from them
- the phrase "the snake-haired, coming-out Medusa"
- my whole heart ❤
April 22, 2020
I can definitely say Miss Meteor is one of my favorites ever. There’s a lot of things about this book that makes me feel seen and celebrated. It makes me happy.
RTC.
RTC.
April 10, 2021
If you're looking for a lovely, heartfelt, and heartwarming story about friendship, about accepting who you are even in the face of judgment and ridicule, about taking risks, about friendship blossoming into more..? You need this book.
I am a girl worth the space I take up.
I won't say it’s a walk in the park to read. As mentioned RE judgment and ridicule, there is a significant amount of bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia within the pages of this book. There were times this was hard. There were times I wanted to set fire to certain characters. But those who were being targeted found their voices, they pushed back, and I don't think it’s a spoiler to say that the bullies don't win this one.
"You guys aren't, like, mad? You don't think I'm a weirdo?"
"Honey, we're not even surprised. I mean, at first I didn't know what [pansexual] meant. I thought maybe we'd left you alone in the kitchen to wash the skillets too many times and.."
This story has a magical realism element that is just.. well, magical. A little strange. A bit whimsical. A whole lot of wonderful. It helped, too, that said magical element was also surrounding my favourite POV. While Chicky's sibling dynamic was a huge highlight of this story, and I loved that she broke out to claim something of herself, I'll admit I didn't quite love being in her head. At least not compared to Lita. Lita who also had the sweetest of love interests (though actually I liked both romances, yes, two for the price of one!) and.. yeah, Lita just completely won me over. I feel very soft.
"I called Kendra. She said it was okay."
"She what?"
"She said, ‘Yeah, sure, why don't you just move in while you're at it?’"
"Do we need to have a discussion about what sarcasm is?"
This whole experience, even the hard bits, was just a delight. There are familiar elements at work — small town, battle of the classes/jocks vs not-jocks, popular kids picking on the not-populars, etc — but this'll stand out not just because of the representation, of which there is much, but because of how lovely and supportive this group of friends are. You know me, I'm trash for an ensemble, and throw in a cause (in this case, challenging the status quo of the beauty pageant), and it all just.. works.
"When you look at me, I know you see more than the shortstop, or the trans guy, or whatever people call me when they forget my name. Do you know how much I need that? Do you know what it's like to have that when you usually don't get it?"
I highly recommend finding some #ownvoices reviewers, as their opinion should definitely take precedence over mine, but I also highly recommend you just read this book.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
----
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I am a girl worth the space I take up.
I won't say it’s a walk in the park to read. As mentioned RE judgment and ridicule, there is a significant amount of bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia within the pages of this book. There were times this was hard. There were times I wanted to set fire to certain characters. But those who were being targeted found their voices, they pushed back, and I don't think it’s a spoiler to say that the bullies don't win this one.
"You guys aren't, like, mad? You don't think I'm a weirdo?"
"Honey, we're not even surprised. I mean, at first I didn't know what [pansexual] meant. I thought maybe we'd left you alone in the kitchen to wash the skillets too many times and.."
This story has a magical realism element that is just.. well, magical. A little strange. A bit whimsical. A whole lot of wonderful. It helped, too, that said magical element was also surrounding my favourite POV. While Chicky's sibling dynamic was a huge highlight of this story, and I loved that she broke out to claim something of herself, I'll admit I didn't quite love being in her head. At least not compared to Lita. Lita who also had the sweetest of love interests (though actually I liked both romances, yes, two for the price of one!) and.. yeah, Lita just completely won me over. I feel very soft.
"I called Kendra. She said it was okay."
"She what?"
"She said, ‘Yeah, sure, why don't you just move in while you're at it?’"
"Do we need to have a discussion about what sarcasm is?"
This whole experience, even the hard bits, was just a delight. There are familiar elements at work — small town, battle of the classes/jocks vs not-jocks, popular kids picking on the not-populars, etc — but this'll stand out not just because of the representation, of which there is much, but because of how lovely and supportive this group of friends are. You know me, I'm trash for an ensemble, and throw in a cause (in this case, challenging the status quo of the beauty pageant), and it all just.. works.
"When you look at me, I know you see more than the shortstop, or the trans guy, or whatever people call me when they forget my name. Do you know how much I need that? Do you know what it's like to have that when you usually don't get it?"
I highly recommend finding some #ownvoices reviewers, as their opinion should definitely take precedence over mine, but I also highly recommend you just read this book.
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
----
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Read
May 24, 2020
January 31, 2021
4.5 STARS
Authors’ dedication: To friends lost, then found again.
This book was so cute! Our main characters, Lita and Chicky, are ex-best friends with a common goal: to take the Miss Meteor beauty pageant crown from the popular white girls. Lita is scared she is too round, too brown, and too weird to win, but she tries anyway. The book includes both pansexual and transgender characters, and it is sure to raise awareness for bullying and inclusion.
Authors’ dedication: To friends lost, then found again.
This book was so cute! Our main characters, Lita and Chicky, are ex-best friends with a common goal: to take the Miss Meteor beauty pageant crown from the popular white girls. Lita is scared she is too round, too brown, and too weird to win, but she tries anyway. The book includes both pansexual and transgender characters, and it is sure to raise awareness for bullying and inclusion.
June 13, 2021
I don't know why I've been reading so many pageant books when I haven't even bothered to go to a single Homecoming or Prom or anything, but here I am-
This was phenomenal and I adored every page of it. I loved our leads and their friends, the various discussions throughout, and I'm definitely going to read more from these authors.
This was phenomenal and I adored every page of it. I loved our leads and their friends, the various discussions throughout, and I'm definitely going to read more from these authors.
October 30, 2020
things this book has:
- sapphic rep
- casual and heartfelt trans rep
- friends-to-lovers
- beauty pageant
- slow burn
- lita
- five stars and me telling you to read this!
“In that moment, all four of us are meteors. We outrun the headlights going by in the distance on the highway. We outrun anyone who could see us. Only the gaze of the stars and the setting moon catches us.”
- sapphic rep
- casual and heartfelt trans rep
- friends-to-lovers
- beauty pageant
- slow burn
- lita
- five stars and me telling you to read this!
“In that moment, all four of us are meteors. We outrun the headlights going by in the distance on the highway. We outrun anyone who could see us. Only the gaze of the stars and the setting moon catches us.”
September 17, 2020
I will straight up read anything Anna-Marie McLemore puts their name on, so I was all over this without even knowing what it was about.
I loved Lita and Chicky. I loved their yearning for the past relationship, their want for a change, and the tenacity they both had to stand out in a town that wanted to keep them hidden. Chicky's sisters are absolutely amazing and I couldn't possibly be more delighted in Cole and Junior.
Plot wise, it was great. Both Lita and Chicky are Dealing With Things and with each chapter of their POV, I was dying to get back to the other one. I was captivated from the very first page and found it so easy to root for these characters. I could have gone for just a little more at the ending, but that's just me being greedy.
Overall, it's a phenomenal story about finding yourself, accepting support, and reveling in the deep ties of friendship. This is definitely one of my top books of the year.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Lita and Chicky. I loved their yearning for the past relationship, their want for a change, and the tenacity they both had to stand out in a town that wanted to keep them hidden. Chicky's sisters are absolutely amazing and I couldn't possibly be more delighted in Cole and Junior.
Plot wise, it was great. Both Lita and Chicky are Dealing With Things and with each chapter of their POV, I was dying to get back to the other one. I was captivated from the very first page and found it so easy to root for these characters. I could have gone for just a little more at the ending, but that's just me being greedy.
Overall, it's a phenomenal story about finding yourself, accepting support, and reveling in the deep ties of friendship. This is definitely one of my top books of the year.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen for providing the arc free of charge**
February 15, 2021
4.5 stars
I'm honestly speechless. this was incredible. I'm not sure yet whether I want to give it five stars or four, but I'm leaving it at 4.5 for now because I think this is a book that will be either great or just really really good depending on how it sticks with me, so I'll need to revisit my rating. but wow. wow. this book was just phenomenal.one could even say 'out of this world'. I'm in awe. I wasn't expecting to love this so much, but I fell so hard for Chicky and Lita and Cole and now I just wanna cry because I love them all so much
I'm honestly speechless. this was incredible. I'm not sure yet whether I want to give it five stars or four, but I'm leaving it at 4.5 for now because I think this is a book that will be either great or just really really good depending on how it sticks with me, so I'll need to revisit my rating. but wow. wow. this book was just phenomenal.
October 31, 2020
This is my new favorite book! It is just perfect goodness in every way! I really don’t even have the words to describe how deeply I adore it, except that it makes my heart explode into a firework of rainbow glitter and confetti shaped like lil green aliens and also cacti!
September 25, 2020
This book is so cute and is filled with such beautiful stories and messages!
So I went into this book expecting it to be one thing and upon finding out half way through that it most definitely is not that thing, it effected my reading experience a bit as I felt let down. But in an effort to make sure no one else goes in with the wrong expectations...
This is not an f/f romance between two childhood best friends.
With a cover that beautiful and with a synopsis that doesn't quite hint at a romance but paired with that cover is there any surprise that I thought Chicky Quintanilla and Lita Perez would end up together? And then once you put in that Chicky's family own a restaurant called "Selena's Diner" in dedication to Selena Quintanilla-Perez....Where Chicky's last name is Quintanilla and Lita's last name is Perez...I mean?? Why did they set it up like that?? Make it make sense!?
Nonetheless, after mourning what this book could've been I continued the book and I found that despite my disappointment, this book was still such an enjoyable read!
And while this isn't an f/f romance, it is FILLED with diversity. Including but not limited to:
-Latinx main characters
-Pansexual rep
-trans rep
-a chubby main character
Not only does it have this amazing rep but it is filled with such important conversations and topics. The way this book handled topics like transphobia, xenophobia and even homophobia was so beautiful, I honestly think that this book should be in every school library for the sensitive, thoughtful and honest way that it brings light to these topics.
arc given in exchange for an honest review
So I went into this book expecting it to be one thing and upon finding out half way through that it most definitely is not that thing, it effected my reading experience a bit as I felt let down. But in an effort to make sure no one else goes in with the wrong expectations...
This is not an f/f romance between two childhood best friends.
With a cover that beautiful and with a synopsis that doesn't quite hint at a romance but paired with that cover is there any surprise that I thought Chicky Quintanilla and Lita Perez would end up together? And then once you put in that Chicky's family own a restaurant called "Selena's Diner" in dedication to Selena Quintanilla-Perez....Where Chicky's last name is Quintanilla and Lita's last name is Perez...I mean?? Why did they set it up like that?? Make it make sense!?
Nonetheless, after mourning what this book could've been I continued the book and I found that despite my disappointment, this book was still such an enjoyable read!
And while this isn't an f/f romance, it is FILLED with diversity. Including but not limited to:
-Latinx main characters
-Pansexual rep
-trans rep
-a chubby main character
Not only does it have this amazing rep but it is filled with such important conversations and topics. The way this book handled topics like transphobia, xenophobia and even homophobia was so beautiful, I honestly think that this book should be in every school library for the sensitive, thoughtful and honest way that it brings light to these topics.
arc given in exchange for an honest review
June 20, 2025
#️⃣2️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 ⛈️⚡🚨
Date : 📢 Friday, June 20, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 85k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 37th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
2️⃣🌟, i cant feel anything
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
Its so....nothing, i dont know what to say here, i read this for a challenge and I'm very very very underwhelmed on what i should even say to this, it reads like wattpad. Lita and Chicky just do support each other along with her three sisters then like theres a bullying subplot then uhh thats it. Theres also loving who you are, what your body looks and then gender stuff, when you're a girl but you like masculine things eh. Fatphobia is in here too and transphobia and it expresses those difficult topics really well but its a nothingburger, i don't have any prominent opinions on this one just...move on i guess. Its so nothing 😭😭😭😭 glad the bully learned their lesson in the end tho, but that is literally expected in any book that features bullying anyways so thats predictable.
There's sibling love+hate here too erm.
Date : 📢 Friday, June 20, 2025 🍙⚔️
Word Count📃: 85k Words 🏕️
──★ ˙💥🪨💣🪨💥 ̟ ⋆✮˚.*⋆
ദ്ദി ≽^⎚˕⎚^≼ .ᐟ My 37th read in "Explosive Impactful Reads June"
2️⃣🌟, i cant feel anything
——————————————————————
➕➖0️⃣1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣5️⃣6️⃣7️⃣8️⃣9️⃣🔟✖️➗
Its so....nothing, i dont know what to say here, i read this for a challenge and I'm very very very underwhelmed on what i should even say to this, it reads like wattpad. Lita and Chicky just do support each other along with her three sisters then like theres a bullying subplot then uhh thats it. Theres also loving who you are, what your body looks and then gender stuff, when you're a girl but you like masculine things eh. Fatphobia is in here too and transphobia and it expresses those difficult topics really well but its a nothingburger, i don't have any prominent opinions on this one just...move on i guess. Its so nothing 😭😭😭😭 glad the bully learned their lesson in the end tho, but that is literally expected in any book that features bullying anyways so thats predictable.
There's sibling love+hate here too erm.
October 26, 2020
5 stars
Miss Meteor does so many things and it does all of them so incredibly well that I don’t even know where to start with this review. The small-town atmosphere, the friendship, the exploration of the racist and fatphobic history of pageants, the excellent friends-to-lovers romances (yes, there are multiple) are all absolutely to die for!!
Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore craft a world not only unique in its magic, but also unique in its small-town atmosphere that’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read. I adored reading about this community and I adored the magical, whimsical feeling that the authors brought to this small town. Also, the town history was so fun to learn about!! I was just in love with this setting, tbh.
I also loved the development of our two main characters and the way their friendship evolved over the course of the story. The fact that it was about two ex-friends coming together to win a beauty pageant?? I don’t know, but that story concept just made my heart sing and it was executed so well!! Just the friendships in this book in general and the way the authors wrote them hit me really for a reason I’m not able to discern, but the found family vibes spoke a lot to me and I adored this aspect with everything in me.
The romances that stemmed from the friendships were also excellent and as someone who loves the friends-to-lovers trope with my entire being, I really appreciated how well executed these were!! I thought the development was really natural and the tenderness and care with which they treated each other made me feel very single, which I feel like is the best compliment I can give a romance lmaooo.
I also thought the plot was really good!! It was a perfect mix of lighthearted fun and more serious discussions and scenes and I thought the authors achieved that balance really well!! Also, the ending had me sobbing and I must once again bow down to Tehlor Kay Mejia's and Anna-Marie McLemore’s ability to make me so attached to their characters within a single book.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. Honestly, it was unlike anything I was expecting, having read all of McLemore’s and Mejia’s previous novels, but it worked so well?? And their writing styles meshed together really well!! This book really left me yearning for a friendship that feels like coming home and I love it with my entire heart.
Miss Meteor does so many things and it does all of them so incredibly well that I don’t even know where to start with this review. The small-town atmosphere, the friendship, the exploration of the racist and fatphobic history of pageants, the excellent friends-to-lovers romances (yes, there are multiple) are all absolutely to die for!!
Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore craft a world not only unique in its magic, but also unique in its small-town atmosphere that’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read. I adored reading about this community and I adored the magical, whimsical feeling that the authors brought to this small town. Also, the town history was so fun to learn about!! I was just in love with this setting, tbh.
I also loved the development of our two main characters and the way their friendship evolved over the course of the story. The fact that it was about two ex-friends coming together to win a beauty pageant?? I don’t know, but that story concept just made my heart sing and it was executed so well!! Just the friendships in this book in general and the way the authors wrote them hit me really for a reason I’m not able to discern, but the found family vibes spoke a lot to me and I adored this aspect with everything in me.
The romances that stemmed from the friendships were also excellent and as someone who loves the friends-to-lovers trope with my entire being, I really appreciated how well executed these were!! I thought the development was really natural and the tenderness and care with which they treated each other made me feel very single, which I feel like is the best compliment I can give a romance lmaooo.
I also thought the plot was really good!! It was a perfect mix of lighthearted fun and more serious discussions and scenes and I thought the authors achieved that balance really well!! Also, the ending had me sobbing and I must once again bow down to Tehlor Kay Mejia's and Anna-Marie McLemore’s ability to make me so attached to their characters within a single book.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough. Honestly, it was unlike anything I was expecting, having read all of McLemore’s and Mejia’s previous novels, but it worked so well?? And their writing styles meshed together really well!! This book really left me yearning for a friendship that feels like coming home and I love it with my entire heart.
September 30, 2020
4.5/5
CW: transphobia, xenophobia, homophobia, bullying, underage drinking
Rep: trans character, pan MC, Latinx characters,
You know what makes me softer and mushier than baby food? Stories that revolve around wholesome friendships overcoming all odds, even one friend slowly turning back to stardust.
Lita, Chicky, Junior, Cole, and Chicky's wonderfully strong-minded sisters make for a dynamic cast of characters that are now all my children and deserve all the happiness in the world. Tehlor and Anna-Marie went all out not only on their two main characters but also on their friends. Each of them had something going on and each of them supported each other and helped each other grow. This was the realest bunch of fictional friends I've seen in a long time. They're messy and imperfect and doubt themselves and their place in the group, but they also learn from their mistakes and move forward. Honestly, I don't think I've cried this much from the sheer friendship feels in I don't know how long. And did I mention that we get friends-to-lovers not once, but twice and in such a natural, clumsy way that I'm not even upset about it? Cause that happens too!
I loved the beauty pageant shenans and how the girls (besides Kendra) weren't super catty toward each other. I'm so glad we're starting to move away from the girl on girl hate (and Kendra wasn't even hating on Lita for pageant reasons and was lashing out as her way of protecting her brother, Cole [spoiler alert: that's not for her to decide and he makes that clear]). The other girls even try to include Lita outside of the pageant. I loved that while this story showed xenophobia/homophobia/transphobia, but it wasn't pain porn. It was more about being true to who you are and not giving a duck's butt about anything else because the people who matter, don't mind and the people who mind, don't matter.
My only thing is, everyone in that small down uses Cole's right pronouns and calls him a boy, which is great don't get me wrong, but I'm wondering how some of these people who will do this and turn around and be blatantly transphobic in the same breath. It truly boggles the mind. Sure, it's probably because Cole started to transition at a young age and it's been stated that he passes, and I'm sure there really are people who be like that and it truly confounds me.
Ah, heck, you know what? Imma bump this up to a 5 star. The one grievance isn't really enough for me to dock the .5 and I really, really loved this book.
CW: transphobia, xenophobia, homophobia, bullying, underage drinking
Rep: trans character, pan MC, Latinx characters,
You know what makes me softer and mushier than baby food? Stories that revolve around wholesome friendships overcoming all odds, even one friend slowly turning back to stardust.
Lita, Chicky, Junior, Cole, and Chicky's wonderfully strong-minded sisters make for a dynamic cast of characters that are now all my children and deserve all the happiness in the world. Tehlor and Anna-Marie went all out not only on their two main characters but also on their friends. Each of them had something going on and each of them supported each other and helped each other grow. This was the realest bunch of fictional friends I've seen in a long time. They're messy and imperfect and doubt themselves and their place in the group, but they also learn from their mistakes and move forward. Honestly, I don't think I've cried this much from the sheer friendship feels in I don't know how long. And did I mention that we get friends-to-lovers not once, but twice and in such a natural, clumsy way that I'm not even upset about it? Cause that happens too!
I loved the beauty pageant shenans and how the girls (besides Kendra) weren't super catty toward each other. I'm so glad we're starting to move away from the girl on girl hate (and Kendra wasn't even hating on Lita for pageant reasons and was lashing out as her way of protecting her brother, Cole [spoiler alert: that's not for her to decide and he makes that clear]). The other girls even try to include Lita outside of the pageant. I loved that while this story showed xenophobia/homophobia/transphobia, but it wasn't pain porn. It was more about being true to who you are and not giving a duck's butt about anything else because the people who matter, don't mind and the people who mind, don't matter.
My only thing is, everyone in that small down uses Cole's right pronouns and calls him a boy, which is great don't get me wrong, but I'm wondering how some of these people who will do this and turn around and be blatantly transphobic in the same breath. It truly boggles the mind. Sure, it's probably because Cole started to transition at a young age and it's been stated that he passes, and I'm sure there really are people who be like that and it truly confounds me.
Ah, heck, you know what? Imma bump this up to a 5 star. The one grievance isn't really enough for me to dock the .5 and I really, really loved this book.
September 20, 2020
Another win from both Anna-Marie McLemore and Tehlor Kay Mejia. Miss Meteor has all the atmosphere, magic, and wonder you'd expect from these authors. We see Chicky and Lita come back together and grow their friendship along some of the best supporting characters I've read in a while - Chicky's three older sisters and friends Junior and Cole (who is my absolute favorite and I love with all my heart) - as they fight to help Lita win the Miss Meteor crown. Seeing Lita and Chicky both really embrace their identities at the end of the story was my everything. And I thought all of the friendship moments during pageant prep and the romances we see were all stellar. The reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5, is that while I thought the beginning was strong, and the last 1/4 was five star perfection, I found the middle of the story to be a little slow for my liking. But overall, I highly recommend Miss Meteor if you're a fan of either author's previous work, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Trigger warnings for racism, specifically against the Latinx community,homophobia and transphobia.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings for racism, specifically against the Latinx community,homophobia and transphobia.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2022
This novel was kinda cheesy, but it still gave me the queer YA contemporary fix I was looking for! I love YA stories that follow the formation of a friend group, and each of the friends get their own page time and space for their arc, which I loved.
I did think it was a little too goofy to have the two romance plotlines mirror each other so closely, and I wished those plotlines could have been reconfigured a bit. And while the bullying plotlines were certainly realistic in a lot of ways, it did start to feel a bit contrived as the book goes on. I don't know, I just feel like I've already read or watched every possible iteration of a bully character arc.
As always, Anna-Marie McLemore (I assume) brings a lovely touch of magical realism to the story. I almost wish it was more prominent, since the meteor metaphor(?) was absolutely my favorite part of the story, but it still blends really well with the more contemporary elements.
I was really excited to see McLemore, one of my all-time favorite authors, collabing with Tehlor Kay Mejia, an author I've recently enjoyed a lot. I wouldn't say this is my favorite from either of them, but overall the product is a wholesome celebration of queer latinx kids and absolutely worthy of a read.
Content Warnings: bullying, homo- pan- and transphobia, racism
I did think it was a little too goofy to have the two romance plotlines mirror each other so closely, and I wished those plotlines could have been reconfigured a bit. And while the bullying plotlines were certainly realistic in a lot of ways, it did start to feel a bit contrived as the book goes on. I don't know, I just feel like I've already read or watched every possible iteration of a bully character arc.
As always, Anna-Marie McLemore (I assume) brings a lovely touch of magical realism to the story. I almost wish it was more prominent, since the meteor metaphor(?) was absolutely my favorite part of the story, but it still blends really well with the more contemporary elements.
I was really excited to see McLemore, one of my all-time favorite authors, collabing with Tehlor Kay Mejia, an author I've recently enjoyed a lot. I wouldn't say this is my favorite from either of them, but overall the product is a wholesome celebration of queer latinx kids and absolutely worthy of a read.
Content Warnings: bullying, homo- pan- and transphobia, racism
November 21, 2020
Star Rating: —> 4 Stars
This was so great in so many ways— highly highly recommend; RTC
This was so great in so many ways— highly highly recommend; RTC
October 22, 2020
I always find it more difficult to write a review about a book that I adored than one I thought was only okay or disliked, but I’m going to try my best to explain just how much I love this book, because I feel that it’s so criminally underrated! Miss Meteor follows Lita, who has always dreamed of entering, and winning, the annual Miss Meteor beauty pageant, but fat brown girls like her are never meant to win. But when Lita’s chances of entering grow slimmer and slimmer, she enlists the help of her ex-best friend, Chicky, and her three older sisters to achieve this dream before it’s too late!
I’ve not read anything by Tehlor Kay Mejia or Anna Marie McLemore prior to reading this book (although, rest assured, I am remedying that!), so I went in with a completely open mind. This also meant that I couldn’t tell who had written which character, not that it mattered to me as I loved them both equally, but it does make this review a little harder when it comes to reviewing the writing style! There were some differences between the writing in Chicky’s POV and Lita’s POV – Lita’s felt more like the lyrical, flowery prose you so often see in magical realism novels, whereas Chicky’s felt much more like your classic contemporary novel, and I suppose in that way it was very fitting to the characters!
Though this takes place in New Mexico, it is set in a completely fictitious town, and I think both authors described it so beautifully and vividly. It was so easy to picture the dry, cavernous desert where the meteorite that gave the town its name landed, juxtaposed with the modern, sophisticated town (albeit with the tiny Meteor Meteorite Museum looking a little scruffy and out of place!). I loved Selena’s diner with its family feel and strange but delicious-sounding recipes and all the different cacti even had their own personalities! I could practically feel the arid desert heat emanating from the pages!
The plot is extremely captivating and really pulls at your heartstrings. Three of the main characters deal with quite a lot of bullying and prejudice against them – Chicky for her sexuality and race, Lita for her race and size, and Cole for his gender – and so this really does feel like the underdog’s story. The characters felt so real that you find yourself rooting for them throughout, and, consequently, their pain becomes that of the reader as well. Everything about the plot felt so realistic, and I can definitely see this being perfect movie material (or is that just wishful thinking?)! The beauty pageant was hilarious and heartfelt from beginning to end, and even the silly not-quite-a-sport storyline was so engaging! The book does deal with the characters facing a lot of adversity, such as racism, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia and financial insecurity, but all in all the story is extremely hopeful. It’s about finding yourself and being so proud of your identity. It’s about friendship, and love and about the connections we make with people. It’s an extremely beautiful book and the magical realism elements never felt unrealistic or over the top, and I think just added to how connected I felt to the story and the characters.
Speaking of the characters, they are what made me love the story so much! I felt that Lita was extremely relatable as a fat person myself. Yes she is fat, yes she faces fatphobia, but she never lets that stop her for going and getting what she wants. She’s very sweet and very dreamy (if a bit ditzy at times!) and I think she’s a character that so many people will love! Chicky has been bullied for years for her sexuality and has closed herself off to everyone around her, but we see her opening up and being proud and vulnerable throughout the book and it’s so wonderful to see. I really loved both Cole and Junior (maybe some men do deserve rights) so so much and seeing them take back and own there narratives was so powerful! Plus, it features two friends to lovers romances which is everything my little heart craves!
All in all, this book was gorgeous and amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough! It has quickly become a new favourite that I will be revisiting time and time again and I really hope that you decide to give it a go too!
I’ve not read anything by Tehlor Kay Mejia or Anna Marie McLemore prior to reading this book (although, rest assured, I am remedying that!), so I went in with a completely open mind. This also meant that I couldn’t tell who had written which character, not that it mattered to me as I loved them both equally, but it does make this review a little harder when it comes to reviewing the writing style! There were some differences between the writing in Chicky’s POV and Lita’s POV – Lita’s felt more like the lyrical, flowery prose you so often see in magical realism novels, whereas Chicky’s felt much more like your classic contemporary novel, and I suppose in that way it was very fitting to the characters!
Though this takes place in New Mexico, it is set in a completely fictitious town, and I think both authors described it so beautifully and vividly. It was so easy to picture the dry, cavernous desert where the meteorite that gave the town its name landed, juxtaposed with the modern, sophisticated town (albeit with the tiny Meteor Meteorite Museum looking a little scruffy and out of place!). I loved Selena’s diner with its family feel and strange but delicious-sounding recipes and all the different cacti even had their own personalities! I could practically feel the arid desert heat emanating from the pages!
The plot is extremely captivating and really pulls at your heartstrings. Three of the main characters deal with quite a lot of bullying and prejudice against them – Chicky for her sexuality and race, Lita for her race and size, and Cole for his gender – and so this really does feel like the underdog’s story. The characters felt so real that you find yourself rooting for them throughout, and, consequently, their pain becomes that of the reader as well. Everything about the plot felt so realistic, and I can definitely see this being perfect movie material (or is that just wishful thinking?)! The beauty pageant was hilarious and heartfelt from beginning to end, and even the silly not-quite-a-sport storyline was so engaging! The book does deal with the characters facing a lot of adversity, such as racism, xenophobia, transphobia, homophobia and financial insecurity, but all in all the story is extremely hopeful. It’s about finding yourself and being so proud of your identity. It’s about friendship, and love and about the connections we make with people. It’s an extremely beautiful book and the magical realism elements never felt unrealistic or over the top, and I think just added to how connected I felt to the story and the characters.
Speaking of the characters, they are what made me love the story so much! I felt that Lita was extremely relatable as a fat person myself. Yes she is fat, yes she faces fatphobia, but she never lets that stop her for going and getting what she wants. She’s very sweet and very dreamy (if a bit ditzy at times!) and I think she’s a character that so many people will love! Chicky has been bullied for years for her sexuality and has closed herself off to everyone around her, but we see her opening up and being proud and vulnerable throughout the book and it’s so wonderful to see. I really loved both Cole and Junior (maybe some men do deserve rights) so so much and seeing them take back and own there narratives was so powerful! Plus, it features two friends to lovers romances which is everything my little heart craves!
All in all, this book was gorgeous and amazing and I cannot recommend it highly enough! It has quickly become a new favourite that I will be revisiting time and time again and I really hope that you decide to give it a go too!
January 10, 2021
this was such a powerful story about friendship, love and self-worth!!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
April 24, 2023
2023 reads: 122/350
no one who looks like lita perez or chicky quintanilla has been chosen as miss meteor in its history. this is just one reason lita wants to enter the contest and why her ex-best friend wants to help her, but if lita is going to win, they have to set aside their differences.
i’m slowly making my way through anna-marie mclemore’s backlist and i’m so glad this was my next read from them! this was also co-authored by tehlor kay mejia, who i have not read any books from yet, but i’ll definitely have to pick some of their books up after reading this.
i think this is my second book? about a pageant, but i’d really like to read more because i’ve found this aspect interesting in this book and the other one i’ve read. i also enjoyed the fantastical aspect of this book and how this was tied to real-life events.
no one who looks like lita perez or chicky quintanilla has been chosen as miss meteor in its history. this is just one reason lita wants to enter the contest and why her ex-best friend wants to help her, but if lita is going to win, they have to set aside their differences.
i’m slowly making my way through anna-marie mclemore’s backlist and i’m so glad this was my next read from them! this was also co-authored by tehlor kay mejia, who i have not read any books from yet, but i’ll definitely have to pick some of their books up after reading this.
i think this is my second book? about a pageant, but i’d really like to read more because i’ve found this aspect interesting in this book and the other one i’ve read. i also enjoyed the fantastical aspect of this book and how this was tied to real-life events.
September 19, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this ARC from the publisher which does not influence my review.
TW: bullying, homophobia, fatphobia, transphobia, xenophobia
What I Liked:
Lita – Lita Perez isn’t like other people, technically she isn’t a person at all. She wasn’t born on earth, but materialized from stardust from a meteorite that struck her small town. Lita knows she is different and in a place like Meteor, New Mexico, she sticks out like a sore thumb. Still, she loves this town and the few people who accept her for who she is, like her adopted mother, Bruja Lupe, and Cole, the boy, who despite his popularity, always makes Lita feel seen. Her one quiet dream is to be Miss Meteor in her town’s regional pageant, even though she knows girls like her, who are too short, too brown, and too fat don’t usually win. Lita has the biggest heart. Even when she and her former best friend, Chicky, aren’t on the best terms, Lita is always thinking about her and taking that extra step to nudge her in the right direction. Lita thinks her quest to become Miss Meteor is all about finding a way to stay in the only place she’s called home when it really is about her declaring herself to the world and taking her fate into her own hands.
Chicky – Chicky Quintanilla does not like the spotlight, in fact, there are times when she wishes she could just disappear. The youngest of four sisters, Chicky, short for Chiquita, is used to being overshadowed. There aren’t too many people in her life who get to see the real her and that’s partially her own fault. If Chicky is good at anything, she’s good at running away. It’s what happened with her and her former best friend Lita. It’s what’s happening with her current best friend, Junior Cortes. It’s easier to run away than to come out as pansexual in a town that might praise her family one minute for coming to this country the “right way” but will still look at them like they aren’t worth their time. Chicky’s journey isn’t just about gaining confidence, but about learning to be vulnerable with those closest to her.
Pros and cons of small towns – Many looking from the outside would call Meteor, New Mexico a quaint place to live with such staples like Selena’s Diner, Chicky’s family’s business, or the upcoming Fiftieth-Annual Meteor Regional Pageant and Talent Competition. But the truth is, for people like Lita and Chicky, their small town isn’t always the most welcoming of places. There is a clear divide between the well-off white residents and the brown residents who work for them. There is also a lot of hypocrisy and surfaces-level acceptance of those belonging to the queer community. Cole, a trans boy, for example, knows acceptance by his peers is conditional. While he often challenges their bigoted views, he knows he is only allowed to go so far before they turn on him.
Friendship – The heart of Miss Meteor is friendship. Lita and Chicky used to be inseparable until Chicky pulled away. With Lita running for Miss Meteor and Chicky assisting her, the two find each other again. Lita needs someone to believe in her, someone who will be in her corner and push her when it feels easier to give up. For Chicky, she needs someone to listen to her and have patience with her. I love that these two become each other’s safe spaces and how they extend this to include characters like Cole and Junior.
What I Didn't Like:
Nothing to note.
Final Verdict: With a little bit of magical stardust, Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore deliver an empowering story of friendship and belonging in their first collaborated work, Miss Meteor.
TW: bullying, homophobia, fatphobia, transphobia, xenophobia
What I Liked:
Lita – Lita Perez isn’t like other people, technically she isn’t a person at all. She wasn’t born on earth, but materialized from stardust from a meteorite that struck her small town. Lita knows she is different and in a place like Meteor, New Mexico, she sticks out like a sore thumb. Still, she loves this town and the few people who accept her for who she is, like her adopted mother, Bruja Lupe, and Cole, the boy, who despite his popularity, always makes Lita feel seen. Her one quiet dream is to be Miss Meteor in her town’s regional pageant, even though she knows girls like her, who are too short, too brown, and too fat don’t usually win. Lita has the biggest heart. Even when she and her former best friend, Chicky, aren’t on the best terms, Lita is always thinking about her and taking that extra step to nudge her in the right direction. Lita thinks her quest to become Miss Meteor is all about finding a way to stay in the only place she’s called home when it really is about her declaring herself to the world and taking her fate into her own hands.
Chicky – Chicky Quintanilla does not like the spotlight, in fact, there are times when she wishes she could just disappear. The youngest of four sisters, Chicky, short for Chiquita, is used to being overshadowed. There aren’t too many people in her life who get to see the real her and that’s partially her own fault. If Chicky is good at anything, she’s good at running away. It’s what happened with her and her former best friend Lita. It’s what’s happening with her current best friend, Junior Cortes. It’s easier to run away than to come out as pansexual in a town that might praise her family one minute for coming to this country the “right way” but will still look at them like they aren’t worth their time. Chicky’s journey isn’t just about gaining confidence, but about learning to be vulnerable with those closest to her.
Pros and cons of small towns – Many looking from the outside would call Meteor, New Mexico a quaint place to live with such staples like Selena’s Diner, Chicky’s family’s business, or the upcoming Fiftieth-Annual Meteor Regional Pageant and Talent Competition. But the truth is, for people like Lita and Chicky, their small town isn’t always the most welcoming of places. There is a clear divide between the well-off white residents and the brown residents who work for them. There is also a lot of hypocrisy and surfaces-level acceptance of those belonging to the queer community. Cole, a trans boy, for example, knows acceptance by his peers is conditional. While he often challenges their bigoted views, he knows he is only allowed to go so far before they turn on him.
Friendship – The heart of Miss Meteor is friendship. Lita and Chicky used to be inseparable until Chicky pulled away. With Lita running for Miss Meteor and Chicky assisting her, the two find each other again. Lita needs someone to believe in her, someone who will be in her corner and push her when it feels easier to give up. For Chicky, she needs someone to listen to her and have patience with her. I love that these two become each other’s safe spaces and how they extend this to include characters like Cole and Junior.
What I Didn't Like:
Nothing to note.
Final Verdict: With a little bit of magical stardust, Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore deliver an empowering story of friendship and belonging in their first collaborated work, Miss Meteor.
January 10, 2021
I had high hopes for this one as it was written by two of my favourite authors, and this book really lived up to my expectations. It was beautiful! The authors' writing styles matched really well and made Lita and Chicky into these very distinctive characters, and it was impossible not to love them.
June 16, 2025
I ordered this from Amazon and didn’t check to see if it was actually sold by Amazon. Turns out it isn’t but it came SIGNED?! I’m freaking out because Anna-Marie McLemore is my favorite author and now I have a book signed by them?! I still don’t believe it 😭😭
September 8, 2020
CWs:
Incurred bullying, homophobic comments, xenophobic comments, some mentions of underage alcohol consumption
December 17, 2020
THIS IS SO AMAZING AND I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH 🥺🥺🥺
June 25, 2021
AGHH This was so much fun to read. The representations, friendship, sister relationship, and cute moments was everything!
August 15, 2020
Trigger warnings:
Diversity: pansexual main character, trans character, latinx main characters, POC characters, Mexican-American characters.
I adore this book. So, so much. It has everything I love, really: friendships, beautiful ones, new ones, broken ones. Best friends to lovers, the softest relationship growth ever. Family and siblings vibes and ahh I loved them. Small town vibes, a little bit of stardust and magic and ugh I love this book okay.
Full review coming soon on the blog :)
Thank you to the HarperCollins International & HarperTeen for sending me an e-ARC of this book through Edelweiss. This did not, in any way, influence my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
Diversity: pansexual main character, trans character, latinx main characters, POC characters, Mexican-American characters.
I adore this book. So, so much. It has everything I love, really: friendships, beautiful ones, new ones, broken ones. Best friends to lovers, the softest relationship growth ever. Family and siblings vibes and ahh I loved them. Small town vibes, a little bit of stardust and magic and ugh I love this book okay.
Full review coming soon on the blog :)
Thank you to the HarperCollins International & HarperTeen for sending me an e-ARC of this book through Edelweiss. This did not, in any way, influence my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
November 7, 2020
I’m going to cling to this book probably forever. It’s so fantastic and FUNNY and so personally relatable. I am manifesting a movie adaptation of this!!
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