MONICA CHIN
The Book

Don't Print This

We know who you are and where you are. Stop digging.

Freshman year, Ace Li kissed his best friend, Akash Patel. The next day, Akash moved away without a word—and Ace was so brokenhearted he stopped eating.

It took years for Ace to recover, but he's finally stable again. Ace drinks his protein shakes, swims every morning, and might even win the debate competition this year. He's good. He's forgotten that kiss—at least, that's what he tells himself. Then Ace hears the news: Akash is back.

Akash has returned because his mother, the world-famous investigative journalist Radhika Malhotra, is missing, and she was last seen in this town. Ace tries to stay away, but the second he sees Akash, the feelings he's suppressed bubble back to the surface. Then Ace happens upon some notes—notes about what Akash's mother was investigating. If he retraces her steps, he might be able to find her. And if he does, maybe Akash will give him another chance.

As Ace follows Radhika's trail, his stable life begins to crumble. He stops eating, and he starts receiving threatening, anonymous messages. If he goes public with what happened to Radhika and why, his entire town will have to pay the consequences. Winning Akash's heart might cost Ace everything, but maybe that's a sacrifice he's willing to make.

Out Now
Cover of Don't Print This by Monica Chin
Cover illustration © Sarah Rain · Design by Molly Kate Young
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Details
Publisher
Page Street YA
Published
September 22, 2026
Format
Hardcover & ebook
ISBN
979-8-89003-494-6
Reading Age
14 and up
Categories
YA · Queer · Mystery
Accolades
Children's Book Council Hot Off the Press selection LGBTQ Reads Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ YA Toronto Public Library Teen Fresh Pick
Amazon #1 New Release in Gay Fiction for Young Adults
Reviews

"Authenticity abounds in this polished murder mystery turned exercise in vulnerability."

Kirkus Reviews

"A gripping YA thriller that's equal parts hair-raising and heartwarming."

Booklist

"This intense YA mystery blends suspense, romance, and coming-of-age themes into a compelling and ultimately satisfying story."

School Library Journal
Praise

"An incredible debut novel that's an aching tribute to friendship, found family, and coming of age, hung on the bones of obsession and a good old-fashioned murder mystery."

— Elizabeth Wein, #1 NYT best-selling author of Code Name Verity

"A whodunnit with striking depth. You'll read for the answers and remember the heart."

— Katie Bernet, NYT best-selling author of Beth Is Dead

"A classic whodunit for people who enjoy diverse representation and character-driven fiction."

— Kelli Storm, author of Desolate

"Chin takes the high school mystery and turns it on its head; Don't Print This is a captivating whodunit with a cast of characters so heartbreakingly human you'll wish the small-town cryptocurrency conspiracies would go on just a little longer."

— Liz Braswell, New York Times bestselling author
In the press
Listen

Holly Jackson meets Heartstopper. Here's a playlist of the songs that inspired my work and helped me build the story.

Content warning

This book contains depictions of the death of a parent, disordered eating, drug use, and fatphobia.