Special Release Price!WSJ bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a gripping enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, high school romance.The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world–until they destroyed me.The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them.Please. I hate every one of those … them.
Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer?
Knox, the scarred quarterback.
Dane, his twin brother.
Or Chance, the ex who dumped me. . .
Dear Ava,
Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea.
Wait. That’s stupid.
What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL.
It’s been ten months since you were here, but I can’t forget you.
I’ve missed seeing you walk down the hall.
I’ve missed you cheering at my football games.
I’ve missed the smell of your hair.
And then everything fell apart the night of the kegger.
Don’t hate me because I’m a Shark.
I just want to make you mine.
Still.
★★★★★
“A gut punch right in the feels. These characters wreck you. It’s a deep storyline, with such tender, beautiful, unbelievably perfect romance. Gah. I. Am. Wowed. Five Stars!” Angie, Angie’s Dreamy Reads
Not part of any other series. Dark High School Romance. Recommended for 18+.
A short excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in Team Player 2. (No longer available) This all-new, full-length version is 331 pages and 100,000 words.
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KU*
4.5 stars
I couldn’t wait to read this book!!! I have been waiting for this book since I read the novella version in Team Player 2 Anthology.
Ava and Knox are the best frenemies and I love how their relationship changes. Knox was so swoon worthy and Ava was majorly bada** and I just couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.
There is so much going that anything could be a spoiler such I don’t want to reveal too much. Although I will say I knew who was the monster was but his motives are never revealed. The issue between Chance and Ava was handled nicely because he did mess up with Ava in a major way. The situation with Dane, Knox’s brother, was very heartbreaking but also beautiful because it shows the deep bond between brothers especially twin brothers.
Tyler, Ava’s little brother, was totally awesome and cute and I’m so glad we got to see more of him in this version. Wyatt and Piper are greatest friends Ava could have asked for.
That moment when the reveal happens and Ava makes a very big decision for her and Knox almost broke my heart. But that ending healed any damage it may have caused and it was totally sweet and sexy 😉
I absolutely adored the multiple epilogues that gave us some awesome glimpses into everyone’s future.
I didn’t want this book to end!!
Dear Ava is Ilsa Madden-Mills’ newest enemies to lovers romance with a side of secret admirer. It’s a high school romance but it deals with issues no high schooler should have to deal with. I’m a huge fan of Ilsa’s and she has written this difficult topic with grace and care. Ava has been hurt, but she’s back with her head held high and determination in her heart. She isn’t going to let what happened to her derail her future or that of her little brother’s. She’s strong, she’s smart and she’s going to do whatever it takes to succeed. Even find out who hurt her. Knox is the leader of the Sharks. The rich kids. He’s the most popular guy in school, the QB1. He’s also a royal jerk! But he can’t stop looking at Ava. Or talking to her. No one knows what to think of his behavior, most of all Ava. It’s odd, yes, but it’s welcome. They are from different worlds, but they aren’t that different. They’ve both been hurt. They are both just trying to survive. Why can’t they do that together? It will be hard to go against what’s always been done, but will it be worth it? I loved this story! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting! I LOVED this story! It has everything I love in a romance: humor, sexiness, foreplay, heartbreak, friendship and love. If you’ve never read Ilsa before, read this. You’ll be addicting to her writing!
Betrayal, pain, loyalty, love and most prevalent of all the desire for REVENGE!
Being the girl no one believes makes Ava’s return so much sweeter because she will stop at nothing to take down the one who hurt her! All she wants is the truth to be exposed! She never saw that finding that truth would lead her down the road of love but is she ready to give her all when she’s not even sure who she is anymore?
Knox has made it his mission to do what he can to help Ava; the beautiful blonde he used to torment, the strong soul who has always held his attention! As they get closer to finding the truth both come close to facing a losses they can’t afford and love just isn’t enough, but maybe just maybe it will find its way!
I read Dear Ava in the anthology and I was instantly hooked! I couldn’t eat for this full story and see what fate had in store for Knox and Ava and I definitely didn’t see all of this coming! Ilsa wrote an amazing story about the inner strength of a person and how truly healing love can be! Even if it means walking away!
I first found this story when it was released as a short story in an anthology. I was immediately drawn to the storyline and enjoyed every word. As much as I loved the short story, I craved more. Ilsa Madden-Mills absolutely delivered. Even though I knew the basics, this still felt like a new book. Familiar faces and events, but so much MORE. I found more respect for Ava, love for Knox, and a bigger soft spot in my heart for Dane.
The subject matter of this story is not for everyone, but it is treated with so much honesty that it becomes a beautiful story of hope and redemption as much as it is about love. The cherry on top…that second first chance at the very very end. So sweet!
This is a big change from the lighter books I’ve read lately. But it was worth every tear I cried. Ilsa has written what is, in my opinion, a beautiful love letter to anyone who’s been a victim of sexual assault. She’s created a story and a world that reminds us of all the good our words can do.
Ava is the victim of an awful crime, forced to endure hate from those she once considered friends. But throughout all of that are the letters from a boy who claims to love her. How can she trust anyone when they’ve all turned their backs on her?
And the boy? Well, he’s as sweet as they come. Ava pulls herself out of a dark situation. She finds strength in herself to carry on. But sometimes we all need someone to lean on, and when she finds her mystery boy, he’s not at all who she expected. If you’re looking for a book to make you cry, this one is worth it!
Hate, hope, and redemption!
What an amazing novel by Ms. Madden-Mills with all new characters and a storyline that will make your heart break as well as put hope back in your heart. This story tugs at you in all the right ways, It has angst, attitude, and heart, with Ava being sassy and smart. If you’ve read the Team Player anthology, Dear Ava was a novella in that, with this being the complete novel, and oh my heart, I am so happy that I was able to read it. This starts off as a dark, trigger warning kind of a book, but Ilsa Madden-Mills has such amazing prose that you simply can’t put it down. It has amazing characters, a plot that pulls you in, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that will make you cheer. I adored this book, and so will you!
„It takes a phoenix to rise from the ashes. I guess he thinks you are one.”
I am completely stunned and delighted. Dear Ava is absolutely the best story from Ilsa Madden-Mills and that means a lot, because I love all of her novels. But it’s the first time when Ilsa has put such an emotional depth and so many feelings into her book. This heartbreakingly beautiful story left me breathless right from the start. I was completely consumed and forgot how to adult until I was finished!
I adore Ava. She’s a real fighter and her character is very empowering. Even though something terrible happened to her, she keeps her chin high and she doesn’t let it take over her life. She’s brave and fierce and despite all the bad things she experienced she’s still kindhearted. She’ll do anything for her loved ones.
Knox was such an enigma from the beginning. He’s the popular quarterback, filthy rich and worshipped by the peers, but you could sense the mysterious vibe coming off of him. He appears as this cold, callous guy, but as soon as his walls are down he’s the most loveable and vulnerable guy ever. I just loved him so much! He’s caring, thoughtful and protective and totally swoon-worthy!
These two are complete opposites on the surface, but time shows that they have a lot in common. Their chemistry is off the charts and when they opened up to each other I was at the verge of tears. I wanted to put them both in the bubble-wrap and hold them close to my heart. Even the physical aspect of their relationship, although very sensual, was overloaded with raw emotions.
Dear Ava filled my heart with all the feels. I was completely enchanted with the storyline and with complicated but wonderful characters. This novel is raw, real and deeply emotional. The mystery kept me in suspense throughout the whole story and I couldn’t wait to get answers right with the heroine. And the romance… oh, the romance filled my stomach with butterflies. It was the most heartwarming love story I’ve read in a long time. Ilsa definitely knows how to pull her reader’s heartstrings!
PS.
I really hope that Ilsa will write Dane’s book. Knox’s brother experienced his own share of bad things and I’d love to read about him finding his own HEA.
5 Tulip Stars!! What an amazing emotional read. The characters in this darker themed (sensitive subject matter) enemies to lovers storyline will touch your hearts. You will root for them, swoon for them and cry for them. Their chemistry is off the charts hot. Absolutely worth the read.
Highly emotional and now my new favourite Ilsa Madden-Mills book! This story starts out rather dark. Intriguing right from the beginning, this story needs to be read with zero spoilers, so you won’t get any hints here!
Camden Prep…beautiful buildings, lush grounds, school to the privileged, but for Ava, it’s a living hell! She doesn’t fit in among the rich and famous, her life has been the opposite of posh and privileged, and they never let her forget it.
Sweet words, sizzling chemistry, witty banter, a mystery that begs to be solved, and an undercurrent of darkness made this unputdownable. I cried tears of sadness and tears of happiness…this story is one that will stay with me for a long time to come. Beautifully written!
Beautiful, vulnerable, powerful emotions reverberate off the page and into your heart and soul.
“Scars serve as medals of honor, and the strongest hearts have the most.”
Tackling difficult topics, Dear Ava is a story that leaves a mark; its story and characters will stay with you long after the pages had been read. Visceral, raw, genuine emotions will break your heart before mending it and delivering justice, healing, and an HEA.
I have been waiting for this for almost half a year and Ilsa Madden-Mills did not come out to play. She completely dominated. I first read this story in it’s short story form for the Team 2 Anthology (You can read my review for that precious bean here!) and I was instantly hooked and enchanted by this heart breaking but beautiful story. When I got wind that Mills was going to be turning it into a full length novel–well, my heart gave out and I basically threw myself into getting my hands on an ARC of this bad boy.
I was not disappointed.
This book was even better than what I remembered and then some. Breathtaking and swoon worthy, I fell for these characters as I connected with them each on a deep and personal level. I saw myself in every character—main and supporting. The relationship development between Ava and Knox was well done and I found myself rooting for them from the moment the book began.
I do need to mention that this book is heavy. It deals with a lot of hard topics, such as drug use, mental illness, and rape. The book starts off with a flashback of our heroine waking up after being assaulted and drugged, and references her assault throughout the entirety of the novel as that moment is what pushes the story forward. I think Mills handled these topics beautifully and showed the struggles of coping and seeking justice after sexual assault well. At times this book was hard to read, but the author did give warning before hand on the contents of this book, so I was prepared for what I encountered (which I am unbelievably thankful for).
If you are looking for a deep, angsty, and beautifully written contemporary romance, I highly recommend giving this (or really any of Mill’s work) a chance.
Huge thank you to Ilsa Madden-Mills for sending me an ARC for my honest review!
Rievting…intriguing … and deliciously quick Isla dose it yet again she bring it their is no stopping her I couldn’t get enough..
Her writing has a spell on me Ilsa writing will own you leaving you aching for more!
“5 Stars!”
This gifted author had pulled out all off the stops in penning this masterpiece, and in my opinion, this is her best work to date! This is a beautifully written story which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as being raw, gritty, intense, mysterious, and with angst, witty banter, revenge, which all lead to an all-consuming and phenomenal enemies / lovers dark romance. This story may contain triggers for some readers so be aware of the warnings. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.
Dear Ava was a novella in the anthology ‘Team Player 2’. I adored that novella. I was so happy when I found out that there would be more Ava and Knox, because I felt like their story wasn’t over. I couldn’t wait to start this novel. I loved Dear Ava! It is packed with emotions, love and a little mystery. The mystery is dark and it’s not about an easy subject.
Ava is strong, feisty, smart and loving. Something terrible happened to her, but she’s a fighter. She may be struggling on the inside sometimes, but she wouldn’t let it show. Ava has goals and there is nothing that can keep her for achieving them. Such a strong woman. Ava never expected that someone like Knox would ever like her and she doesn’t like what he is, but she loves what she’s learning about him.
Knox is sporty, talented, determined, caring and gentle. He’s the popular jock at high school that every girl wants. I had many questions about who Knox really is and I loved finding out everything about him. He’s much more than I thought. Knox doesn’t know a lot about love and relationships, but he knows from the start that Ava is someone special.
Ava and Knox are amazing characters! I love them together. But Knox could be hot and cold, and a Shark wasn’t part of Ava’s goals. So it took a while before they were really together, but it was worth the wait. They would have always ended up together. The last few chapters broke my heart, mended my heart and made me swoon so hard! Dear Ava ended beautifully and perfectly.
I have to mention the secondary characters. Ava and Knox have some awesome friends and family, and I was glad Knox and Ava had those people. They are not all perfect, but neither are Knox and Ava. There are definitely some characters I hope will get their own book one day.
I LOVED it! Ilsa Madden-Mills never fails to write stories with characters that you just can’t get enough of. I was completely taken with Ava and Knox. Their story will captivate you, the highs and lows of their young lives will keep you on the edge of your seat, begging to know more and desperate for a satisfactory outcome. Her characters appeal to me because they are strong-willed, smart, flawed in some way, realistic and easy to love. Her stories always flow flawlessly from beginning to end. Dear Ava is no different. It’s a wonderful read with wonderful characters. It deals with some difficult issues in a very cautious and careful way. It’s well worth the read. I highly recommend it.
I first read Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills when it was part of an anthology collection. I fell in love with Ava and Knox from the outset. I knew Knox was being shown in a bad light, but there was still something there inside him. One redeemable trait, and it was the fact that he was in love with our heroine.
Ava never had the best start in life, she’s still struggling and living day by day. The events that happened in the novella are expanded and explained. Knox and Ava’s complicated relationship has a flashlight shone on it. From day one, there have been harbored feelings-on both sides. But for one reason or another, they never got together and then the unimaginable happened to Ava. she left school and tried to put herself back together.
She succeeded and now- she’s back where it all started. But she has a purpose. She wants to find the truth. But she can’t remember much of what happened that dreadful night she was assaulted, and she’s not alone. Others were affected too. Just not physically like Ava.
The kids at school don’t want her there. They are cruel and nasty. The culprit was never caught.
Ava’s not going to let them get to her. She’s tough and strong and so determined. But, she’s still carrying that torch, even when she can’t see it herself.
This story is told in dual POV and it’s really needed. We see the inner demons of both main characters. What pains them, what drives them. And the consuming feeling that creep up on them when they start spending time together.
It’s a dark and gritty tale, told brilliantly with care and attention. I loved it so much. Knox and Ava’s story will stay with me forever. I’m sure it will for you as well.
It’s no secret that Ilsa Madden Mills is a tremendously talented author, but she took it to the next level in this book. Centered around a hot button issue that I’m so passionate about, I couldn’t wait to receive my ARC copy, and once I started l could not put it down!
If you’ve read the little snippet that our wonderful author gave us in the Team Player 2 Anthology, then you know that Ava is a seventeen year old girl who has just been raped while at a party thrown by her schools football team. Even though she doesn’t remember who her assailant was, she’s determined to put the pieces together and find out who took something they had no right to. Going to the cops was no help, and her rape kit showed that she had rough sex, but since there was no DNA found, there isn’t much that can be done.
Fast forward ten months, and Ava is back at her prestigious high school and is now the outcast: she dared to press charges because of her assault, and instead of being believed and supported, she is called name after name because she outed one of the “sharks” and cost them their football championship (not that they would win anyways, but you know how the world works: football is held to higher regard than sexual assault.) She is the snitch who got the team in trouble for the party and all the underage drinking, but she is refusing to show any of her emotions: she only returned so her brother – whom she has practically raised — can have a good education, and so she can figure out which Shark is a rapist. She’s not the shy, demure girl she once was: in her place is a fiesty woman with steel determination to brought all those who have wronged her to justice.
On top of everything else going on, she has a secret admierer that leaves her notes in her locker, and texts her beautiful poems, all about how he always wanted her, but was never his to have. Her SA is also determined to find out who took advantage of her and make them pay.
And then we have Knox.. beautiful, cold, sweet, broken Knox who has been in love with Ava since freshman year. She dated his best friend before her assualt, and has always wanted to be with her.. But at what cost? Can he betray his friend, find out who the rapist running free in the school is, keep his brother sane, and get the girl all at the same time? And when the truth comes out, who will be left standing?
Believe when I tell you, this is a must read. I am a huge advocate for survivors of sexual assault, and having my own experience, I connected with Ava in ways that is truly magical. I felt all the emotions she felt: rage, betrayal, the thought that her body no longer belonged to her, not being believed, her pain, her strength .. I was in such awe of this young woman who already had such an incredibly tough life already, just to have another horrible thing happen to her.
This story will forever be embodied in my heart and soul, and please remember while reading that not every person who has been affected by sexual violence acts the same way. Please believe someone when they come forward with what happened to them, and help change our world. Rape culture is so prevalent everywhere, and nobody should ever get away with such a heinous crime. Be a friend, be a shoulder to cry on, be supportive, don’t judge, and always be an ally.
Even if this topic makes you uncomfortable, I encourage you to read this book. It’s definitely going to be one of the best reads of 2020, and just one of the best books, period.
This is my favorite quote from the book, and it’s something that we should all keep in mind:
“..That nasty word slices into my heart, cutting deep. I’m not promiscuous. I didn’t screw around at Camden; I was too busy working , studying, and taking care of my brother. Besides, it shouldn’t freaking matter if I had screwed every guy here. Drunkenness does not equal acquiescence.”
**I I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions.**
A powerful story about coping and the complex dynamics of recovery after trauma. IMM incorporates a level of depth in her characters that grabs the reader’s heart. The male characters in the book exude dominance but yet hold a raw fragility that lingers just under the surface. This plays well as support to the female lead and softens the brutality of the events. Kudos to IMM for breaching several hard topics within one novel and portraying them with the grace she has.
Thank you to Author Ilsa Madden-Mills for the ARC of #DearAva which was read and reviewed voluntarily.
I need more than 5 stars for this one, it’s magnificent, I absolutely love it! I believe everyone that loves high school sport romance needs to read this one. It started as a novella, now it’s a full length story. Knox will steal your heart, Ava will have it beating hard. Absolutely a 5 star top recommended reads!
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will keep this short. I loved this book! This is definitely some of Ilsa’s best work. It wasn’t at all what I expected and shocked me in the best way. I definitely recommend it!