09/30/2019
Filled with passion and conflict, Davis’s debut novel, a modern Romeo and Juliet tale, traces the stormy relationship between a biracial girl, who dreams of being an astrophysicist, and a privileged white boy, who does not share his parents’ values. Devon and Ashton, both 16, meet and fall in love on the beach, but the summer romance ends abruptly when Ashton disappears without saying goodbye. When he reappears a year later at Devon’s prestigious school at the beginning of senior year, she is wary but can’t deny her feelings for him. Soon, the two are a couple again, despite the objections of Ashton’s wealthy, racist parents. Ashton’s chronic depression, though, is an even greater challenge in the teens’ relationship. After learning about his previous suicide attempt, Devon is terrified that Ashton will try again. Although Davis relies too often on clichéd romantic dialogue and Ashton’s parents come off as stereotypes of bigoted elitists, Devon’s emotions and the representation of depression’s symptoms and impact remain genuine. There are no easy answers given here, and an open ending will lead readers to imagine the future that Ashton and Devon might share. Ages 14–up. (Nov.)
"When the Stars Lead to You is lovely, so lovely. A diverse story full of heart and hope, truth and acceptance, that tackles the tough stuff even as it leaves you breathless. As one of the characters says, there is so much love here, and I didn't want it to end."—Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places
"This debut explores all the beauty and ache of first love with so much compassion. Devon and Ashton, both on their own and as a couple, tread a rocky, soul-nourishing path to acceptance and healing. A book to be savored."—Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Our Year of Maybe
"When the Stars Lead to You is a powerful debut about reaching for the stars and how to put yourself back together after falling apart. Deftly blending the complications of first love with an exploration of mental illness, Ronni Davis is a bright new voice in YA that readers of today and the future are lucky to have."—Rachel Strolle, Teen Librarian, Glenside Public Library District
"Debut author Davis provides a new take on the archetypal first love novel by tackling the impact of mental health, race, and class wars. A moving love story, timely given the pervasiveness of mental health crises."—Kirkus Reviews
"Fans of Sarah Dessen and Nicholas Sparks need look no further than Davis' debut for their next book crush."—Booklist
"Filled with passion and conflict, Davis's debut novel, [is] a modern Romeo and Juliet tale."—Publishers Weekly
"Readers who love a good soapy drama-romance may find their hearts a-flutter from the twists and turns of Devon and Ashton's love."—The Bulletin
"A unique look at love and depression."—School Library Journal
10/01/2019
Gr 8 Up—Devon Kearny is a budding astrophysicist spending the summer with her cousin when she meets Ashton Preston at a party. The two form an incredibly strong bond and their relationship develops quickly over the summer, but ends abruptly when Ashton leaves without telling Devon. Devon spends the next year rebuilding her heart and focusing on accomplishing her academic goals. Her single-minded focus is diverted when Ashton reappears as a new student at her school. Despite her best intentions, Devon remains drawn to Ashton and cautiously reestablishes a relationship with him. Devon soon learns the reason behind Ashton's disappearance is his battle with depression. Familial pressure and his mother's request that he stop seeing Devon lead to a suicide attempt that summer. Ashton's depression and his mother's disapproval begin to slowly erode Devon's sense of self-worth. Devon has to learn how to love Ashton and honor her dreams. This is a unique look at love and depression. Readers are asked to consider the different ways love can hurt and heal people. Those who have experienced depression or know someone affected by it will identify with the complicated relationship. The author made the relationship between Ashton and Devon one the main focal points of the narrative, but not the complete story. Supporting characters are realistic and lend an overall credibility to the story. VERDICT A good choice for public and school libraries looking for titles with a mental health component.—Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library, OH
Je Nie Fleming’s performance keeps listeners glued to this angsty young adult romance. Devon dates Ashton during her summer stay at the beach, but after they make a plan to meet for the last day of summer, Ashton ghosts her, leaving Devon nursing a broken heart. A year later, she begins her senior year dead set on achieving her dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but when Ashton transfers to the same school, Devon’s priorities shift. Fleming succeeds in depicting Devon’s frustration at reconnecting with Ashton as listeners anticipate whether or not the heroine will make the right decision. Though secondary characters are not as fleshed out as the main duo, Fleming’s narration captures Devon’s determination and fortitude as she navigates a complicated romance and academic career. G.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Je Nie Fleming’s performance keeps listeners glued to this angsty young adult romance. Devon dates Ashton during her summer stay at the beach, but after they make a plan to meet for the last day of summer, Ashton ghosts her, leaving Devon nursing a broken heart. A year later, she begins her senior year dead set on achieving her dream of becoming an astrophysicist, but when Ashton transfers to the same school, Devon’s priorities shift. Fleming succeeds in depicting Devon’s frustration at reconnecting with Ashton as listeners anticipate whether or not the heroine will make the right decision. Though secondary characters are not as fleshed out as the main duo, Fleming’s narration captures Devon’s determination and fortitude as she navigates a complicated romance and academic career. G.M. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
2019-08-22
Summer romance interrupts a teen girl's focused path to a Ph.D.
Devon has wanted to become an astrophysicist since she was a kid; one night of watching the stars on a camping trip to Yellowstone and she fell in love. With her sights set on a competitive, top-notch college program, Devon prioritizes school above everything else. The summer she is 16, while visiting the beach with her cousin, Devon meets Ashton, and suddenly she has two loves—astronomy and him. However, on what should be their final day together, Ashton never shows. A year passes with no word, and then, on the first day of senior year, Ashton reappears. He reveals that he suffers from depression and that his wealthy white family's pressure to be someone he is not and to leave Devon because she is middle-class and biracial (her mom is black and her dad is white) overwhelmed him. The pair reunite, but Ashton's depression and mental health struggles increase, and Devon is left trying to choose where to focus her energy—school or boyfriend. Astronomy facts are interspersed throughout the text, demonstrating Devon's obsession, but never interrupt the narrative. Debut author Davis provides a new take on the archetypal first love novel by tackling the impact of mental health, race, and class wars.
A moving love story, timely given the pervasiveness of mental health crises. (Fiction. 14-18)
