What's Coming To Me

Seventeen-year-old Minerva Gutiérrez plans revenge on her predatory boss in this equally poignant and thrilling contemporary YA about grief, anger, and fighting for what you deserve, perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson and Erika L. Sánchez.

In the seaside town of Nautilus, Minerva Gutiérrez absolutely hates her job at the local ice cream stand, where her sexist boss makes each day worse than the last. But she needs the money: kicked out of school and stranded by her mom's most recent hospitalization, she dreams of escaping her dead-end hometown.

When an armed robbery at the ice cream stand stirs up rumors about money hidden on the property, Min teams up with her neighbor CeCe, also desperate for cash, to find it. The bonus? Getting revenge on her boss in the process. If Minerva can do things right for once—without dirty cops, suspicious co-workers, and an ill-timed work crush getting in her way—she might have a way out . . . as long as the painful truths she's been running from don't catch up to her first.

“Padilla’s highly anticipated YA heist story is full of righteous anger about life’s injustices, but it successfully keeps hope alive throughout the thrilling ride.”
—Scribd

“Lovers of flawed and morally gray characters to the front! This genre-blending heist/coming-of-age novel is trauma-informed and shows how the pressures of systemic inequalities can manifest into self-sabotage. Still, despite the heaviness of some topics, there are moments of fun and humor.”
—BookRiot

“Hand this book to readers who like complicated lives, righteous anger, and surprisingly hopeful endings.”
—Teen Librarian Toolbox

“A magnetic, coming-of-age thriller about grief, class, and trauma . . . Realistic teen characters, hypnotic writing, and an honest portrayal of adolescence make this debut a perfect choice for fans of Sarah Zarr, Tiffany D. Jackson, and Phillippe Diederich.”
—School Library Journal (Starred Review)

“A moody and suspenseful YA novel about a teen who is deeply hurting . . . Padilla delivers a raw and chaotic portrait of adolescence.”
—Dominican Writers Association

“Padilla’s debut is an impactful, no-holds-barred exploration of grief and trauma . . . This book takes readers on a beautifully textured journey that combines equal parts coming-of-age novel, heist thriller, and caustic commentary on systemic social inequalities. Despite the seriousness of these themes, when the ending comes, it’s joyful, hopeful, and, above all, earned.”
—Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)