Told in alternating voices, Crest, a merperson, who grudgingly undergoes a mandatory sojourn to help a human within one moon cycle or risk staying on land forever, suddenly develops feelings for his beneficiary Sean, leaving them torn between two worlds.

The Journey is the monthlong sojourn on land all teen merfolk must undergo. The rules are simple: Help a human within one moon cycle and return to Pacifica to become an Elder-- or fail and remain stuck on land forever. Crest is eager to get their Journey over and done with: humans are disgusting; they polluted the planet so much that there is a floating island of trash that is literally the size of a country. In Los Angeles with a human body and a new name, Crest meets Sean, a human lifeguard whose boyfriend has recently dumped him. Agreeing to help Sean make his ex jealous and win him back, the two spend time together. Crest's perspective on humans begins to change. They'll soon be torn between two worlds. And fake dating just might lead to real feelings.... - adapted from jacket

Ages 14 up.,HarperTeen.

Grades 10-12.,HarperTeen.