Illinois Authors

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2024

“Ronni Davis perfectly captures the terrifying joy of shaking off others’ expectations and coloring in your own future—a sensitive, stirring, deep breath of a book.” —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda For one teen girl, the summer before college brings uncertainty about the future and a budding romance—perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon! It’s the longest day of the year, and eighteen-year-old Brandy Bailey has just received the worst news of her life: She’s been accepted to a top nursing school, making her mother overwhelmingly proud. The thing is, Brandy wants to be an artist. She knows all the risks of chasing her dream. She’s heard them from her mother time and time again. Plus, Brandy’s annoying classmate from high school, the annoyingly handsome Ben Nolan, is catching his far-fetched dream of being an actor. Why does he get to be fearless while she has to be practical? Ben is the last thing Brandy wants on her mind, so of course today is the day he decides to glue himself to her hip. Now his perfect face is right there in the cacophony crashing through her head. Swirling in too many directions, Brandy’s emotions clash with the flashing lights at the town’s summer carnival. Can she have one extraordinary night before everything changes? Ronni Davis spins a whirlwind summer romance full of cotton candy, funnel cake, and the sweetness of first love.

Little Brown 2019

After Ashton broke Devon's heart, she focused on preparing for her future as an astrophysicist but Ashton's appearance on the first day of her senior year forces her to revisit their magical summer together.