“With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page.” — Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest

When TJ Powar—a pretty, popular debater—and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the “expectation” of dating an Indian girl and her Sikh cousin who does not remove her body hair being the “reality”—TJ decides to take a stand.
 
She ditches her razors, cancels her waxing appointments, and sets a debate resolution for herself: “This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self, and still be beautiful.” Only, as she sets about proving her point, she starts to seriously doubt anyone could care about her just the way she is—even when the infuriating boy from a rival debate team seems determined to prove otherwise.
 
As her carefully crafted sense of self begins to crumble, TJ realizes that winning this debate may cost her far more than the space between her eyebrows. And that the hardest judge to convince of her arguments might just be herself. 

A charming rom-com about high school debater TJ Powar who-after becoming the subject of an ugly meme-makes a resolution to stop shaving, plucking, and waxing, and prove that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful…or at least worthy of respect. Perfect for fans of Sandhya Menon and Netflix's Never Have I Ever.

When TJ Powar-a pretty, popular debater-and her cousin Simran become the subject of a meme: with TJ being the "expectation" and her Sikh cousin who does not shave, pluck, or wax her hair as the "reality" of dating an Indian girl-TJ decides she's going to take a stand.



She decides to ditch her razors, cancel her waxing appointments, and set a debate resolution for herself: "This House Believes That TJ Powar can be her hairy self, and still be beautiful." Only, as she sets about proving her point, she starts to seriously doubt anyone could care about her just the way she is-even when the cute boy from a rival debate team turned Nationals partner seems determined to prove otherwise.



Ultimately, TJ's outer change might just transform her innermost thoughts and deliver her final resolution to the judge who matters most, herself: Because the resolution "This House Believes That TJ Powar can exist as a hairy girl, and still be worthy of respect, beautiful or not," is simply not up for debate.



TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is a delightful and thought-provoking contemporary romance perfect for fans of Lyla Lee, Jenny Han, and Becky Albertalli.



Story Locale: Kelowna, Canada

“TJ Powar Has Something To Prove is unlike any book I’ve read before. It’s unflinchingly honest, real, and raw in its examination of body image. Every hairy brown girl will see a reflection of their lives in its page.”—Adiba Jaigirdar, author of Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating and The Henna Wars


“With an iconic heroine, delightful banter and a deeply felt message, this debut proves many times over that Jesmeen Kaur Deo is an invaluable new voice. TJ Powar Has Something to Prove is rife with insight and rich with rom-com joy, often on the same page.”—Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, authors of If I’m Being Honest

"There’s much to appreciate about this book...fans of school stories will enjoy the humor, romance, and fun characters who navigate lost relationships, friendships that endure, and reminders that some people will always have your back—no matter how hairy it may be."--Kirkus Reviews