Title: Happily Ever Afters

Author: Elise Bryant

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Page Count: 336 pages

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Tessa Johnson has never felt like the protagonist in her own life. She’s rarely seen herself reflected in the pages of the romance novels she loves. The only place she’s a true leading lady is in her own writing—in the swoony love stories she shares only with Caroline, her best friend and #1 devoted reader.

When Tessa is accepted into the creative writing program of a prestigious art school, she’s excited to finally let her stories shine. But when she goes to her first workshop, the words are just…gone. Fortunately, Caroline has a solution: Tessa just needs to find some inspiration in a real-life love story of her own. And she’s ready with a list of romance-novel-inspired steps to a happily ever after that will surely refill Tessa’s creative well. Nico, the brooding artist who looks like he walked out of one of Tessa’s stories, is cast as the perfect Prince Charming.

But as Tessa checks each item off Caroline’s list, she gets further and further away from finding her words, and herself, again. She risks losing her parents’ trust, her spot in the writing program, and her friendships—including the surprising bond she develops with Sam, the aspiring baker who lives across the street. She’s well on her way to having her own real-life love story, yet she can’t help but wonder…Is it the one she wants, after all?

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound 

Book Depository

Signed, personalized copies can be pre-ordered here from Bel Canto Books, a WOC-owned independent bookstore in Long Beach, CA

Preorder Campaign

Elise is running an awesome preorder campaign until January 4, 2021! You can find out more here. Each recipient that preorders Happily Ever Afters or requests the book from their library will receive a cute vinyl sticker sheet featuring original cover art by Michelle D’Urbano!

To receive your stickers, fill out this Google form with proof of purchase or library request.

 About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She earned her BA in Africana studies from California State University, Long Beach, and her MA in special education from Loyola Marymount University. For many years, Elise had the joy of working as a special education teacher in South Los Angeles, and she is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Elise now lives with her husband and two daughters in Long Beach, where she spends her days reading, writing, and eating dessert. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel.

(Bio and headshot provided from Elise’s website)