LI Young Adult Author's New Novel 'Creep: A Love Story' Set On LI

ROSLYN, NY — A young adult novelist from Roslyn has set another acclaimed novel on Long Island. "Creep: A Love Story" was published in September and local readers will recognize a lot of the settings and details, according to interviews with author Lygia Day Peñaflor.

Peñaflor's newest novel follows "All of This Is True" and "Unscripted Joss Byrd," and like "All of This Is True," is set on Long Island. "Creep" takes place at a fictional Catholic High School and follows a young female protagonist who becomes obsessed with a popular couple at her high school.

She told the School Library Journal that she enjoys adding Long Island details for local readers of her books.

"In 'Creep,' I name drop Old Westbury Gardens, Hempstead Turnpike, Garden City, and celebrities who are from here, like Natalie Portman and Mariah Carey."

Another recurring Long Island element in the novel are the characters love of eating at diners.

Peñaflor's first novel was inspired by her work as a private teacher for young Hollywood stars like cast members of "Gossip Girl."

The fictional Catholic high school in "Creep," was inspired by Peñaflor's own high school, Kellenberg Memorial High School in Uniondale.

"I don’t see many YA books set in Catholic school, so I also thought readers would appreciate it," she told the School Library Journal.

"The student body reflects the demographic of a Long Island Catholic school. Laney Villanueva is Filipina-American, and so am I. I also wanted to include mass, the choir, and the tight-knit community."