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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Will read this book again.
Powerful story of healing after trauma, facing your fears, & rising from the ashes! Excellent performances. There are definitely triggers in this story, so proceed with caution. That being said, I enjoyed the power of Ava’s resolve and determination to face everything. Loved it! Savannah and Zachary were the perfect paring to bring the appropriate emotional performances to this story!
I have never read a book with a rape theme and I realized how much diference it made in my life. The insight it gave me to understand the circumstances it may happen, the activity of the authorities (or lack of), the mean comments from others, the time it takes to heal just a little bit, the effect it has on people, the consequences.
This story is a strong one with complicated, but real tragedies, that can happen in real life. I was in awe with Ava, she is a true heroine, independent, strong-mind, good, protective, lovable. I had to point down many times the way she thought so that I would remember to have it in mind in my darkest times.
Knox is exactly like Ava, but make it a man who is also faithful and patient.
Both have been through a lot but that’s the thing with fighters…they don’t give up! Besides they were also smart to understand that they needed time to work out some issues in their life, so they could be fully together again…as a unit!
I loved their meeting after there were apart, it really surprised me and it could only come from an amazing author.
It is a beautiful book!
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. A girl who overcame all the hardships life had thrown at her. A boy who had all the money, a star of his football team who had his own battles to fight. They met at the wrong time…
Well developed plot that includes date rape, group think and survival makes for a great read.
I definitely recommend. Very inspiring, realistic, wonderful book
Ava has felt with many struggles in her life, none more difficult than a night at a kegger. She has no clue what happened but knows it wasn’t consensual.
Knox is complicated but feels this innate desire to protect Ava, in an effort to right a wrong from his past. Though there are many differences between the two, they’re drawn to one another.
I attempted to read Dear Ava earlier this year and didn’t stick with it. I am so glad I did this time around. The characters had complexity and an honest relationship. The story made me forget they were in high school because it was deep and emotional but not juvenile. I wasn’t expecting much out of this book at all but it was truly great. I loved the toughness that Ava possess, though she’s a fictional character she is someone I aspire to be. Her life was hard, with misfortune but she never let those things hold her back.
While Ava’s character was one thing the writing around Knox is something that all writers can learn from. He felt deep, more than just your typical hero, he honestly cared for Ava and I loved that. The ending was pure bliss.
Blown away
Gah!
This was brilliantly written. So many feels. Such strong characters.
Serious must read. You won’t regret it!
I grabbed this deal this week and I’m happily reading now…
AMAZING !!!
I am not quite sure what to say about Ava and Knox and their turbulant passionate relationship,it was all consuming thats for sure.
One thing I will say is that Dear Ava is a very powerful story,I felt the ache in my heart as I read. Tears of pure emotion in my eyes as I went through every word of every chapter of their Heartbreak and their joy.
I Loved Ava’s bravery if I went through what she did I wouldn’t have had the courage to face the nasty condemnation of her fellow students..it was agony for me to read.
But Thank god for knox oh I loved him he was so sweet,and would have done anything for her,anything to protect her and he did..I also loved that he was there for his brother Dane he is just such a good guy with a badboy persona.
Ilsa Madden Mills has excelled herself writing this book,her words are perfection and hit the right spot in your heart,provoking your emotions and your thoughts.
This book is remarkable and a must read.
Loved it and highly recommend it.
5 magnificent stars
WOWW – this book WRECKED me.
But in the best possible ways.
You can’t read this story, and not note the strength and heart that is Ava. She pushes through her fears, her doubts, her insecurities and comes back stronger.
“…I had to come back and show you all that I’m worth more than what someone did to me in the woods.”
She doesn’t let her story stop her from becoming who she wants to be, doesn’t run away from it – She knows her worth.
The quote in the beginning really stuck to me
“No matter the road you take, it doesn’t matter if it’s beautiful or ugly, hard or smooth, paved or pitted with ruts – it’s your road to take. What matters is how it ends.”
The tension between Knox and Ava, the push and pull – oh my god.
It was Chapter 7 when I realised I loved Knox. He’s a tortured hero with a broken past and loves with everything he has.
“She’s the girl I wanted the moment she walked in the doors at Camden, and I know we’re young on the outside, but inside, the heart knows when it sees its forever.”
He fought to stay away, he fought to be together – to be her everything and stood up for her whenever he had the chance.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would wholeheartedly.
“My heart cracks then stitches itself back together.” – as did mine Ava, many times during this book
Spanish & English Opinion :: WOW
Este libro, en mi opinión, es un libro muy impactante. El tema es fuerte pero la relación entre los personajes principales es muy pasional, inexplicable, con buena dosis de angustia y muchísima emoción.
Ava es una mujer que supera la adversidad. Su vida ha estado llena de sucesos complicados pero ella simplemente supera todo, siendo una mejor versión de sí misma.
Knox es un hombre atormentado, que aparentemente tiene todo pero se siente desvalorizado e incapaz de inspirar amor.
Me encanta la referencia al mito de Hades y Perséfone y lo envolvente que resulta la evolución de la relación de Ava y Knox.
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This book! I just love it. The topic is very strong but the characters are incredible, with this beautiful, raw, amazing chemistry and relationship.
Ava is a Phoenix. The always overcomes whatever life throws her way and certainly has been awful, but it turns it into a better person every time.
Knox feels worthless and unlovable and he’s drawn to this beautiful girl that repásenla light and all the good things he can only dream of.
The Hades and Persephone myth is a great reference and I justo love their HEA, because it’s what they deserve.
One of my favorite reads of 2020 and probably all time! And by one of my favorite writers! LOVED every word of it! It’s a MUST READ for romance readers!
Stunned. Blown away. Awed. In love. Emotional. Dear Ava has made feel all of those things and more. I felt everything. This story is so beautiful, so painful, and so raw. Exquisitely and poetically written, Dear Ava is a love story. It’s a hope story.
“She’s the girl I wanted the moment she walked in the doors at Camden, and I know we’re young on the outside, but inside, the heart knows when it sees its forever.”
Ava Harris is back at Camden after 10 months away. After accusing one of the football players of assault, she’s shunned and shamed. No one believes her or fights for her. But when she finds a letter in her locker, it seems maybe someone does. Maybe someone is. Knox Grayson is Camden’s quarterback and most popular guy. He and Ava have always had a somewhat antagonistic relationship, even if it often felt like there was something more between them. Knox wants to stay away from her now that she’s back, but he can’t. Ava doesn’t want to trust him, but she’s starting to think she can.
“I want you breathing for me. I want you begging me for more of this. I want you kissing me, just me. I want you, Tulip, you, you, you, you…”
The chemistry between Knox and Ava was palpable. Every scene drew me in. Ava was so strong, fierce, kind, and full of life. Knox was so good, determined, and passionate. It meant so much to me that he always believed her, never stopped fighting for her, and saved his heart for her for so long. Their love story was so romantic and full of intensity. There were moments I was holding my breath.
“Nothing is right without you, not beaches or mountains or the sky because I need you, need you, need you.”
The ending had my heart squeezing in the most painfully, happy way. I was worried — but the way it all went and turned out was absolutely perfect for their story. I am so happy each of them found happiness, family, and destiny. I knew early on this would be a special story to me and I can say for sure this is now one of my favorite books.
Who doesn’t love a book that includes a mysterious love letter?
High School romances aren’t my usual read. It I heard so many good things about this book I had to check it out. It was SO good! I think the author portrayed these kids more realistic than some others I’ve read and the story, while absolute heartbreaking, was so wonderful. The way Ava conquered her fears and learned to love for herself was amazing. As far as Knox goes, well I’m a huge fan. Cliques can be devastating but he didn’t fold under the pressure and turned out to be such a great guy. Definitely a must read!
“Dear Ava” was my first book by Ilsa Madden-Mills and it will not be the last.
I loved this story so much and the cover was perfect, if the male character was exactly like the cover guy. Knox has a mark on his face so this cover model isn’t the one I would choose. I know Christian Hughes is hot and sexy but I’m not buying the book because of him. I would love to see the cover guy almost like the character the author described. This is the only bad thing I found in this book.
I wasn’t expecting to fall in love for the beautiful love story Tulip (Ava) and Lee (Knox) have. Two beautiful soul mates in love for each other, but time wasn’t perfect for them and their love.
Ava is a special woman after everything that happened to her and the life she had in the past she was always fighting for her future and brother.
Knox is a strong and beautiful man. Even when he thought he had the world in his hands life wasn’t easy for him. Every day he was fighting the demons he has since his mother died.
I fell in love with every damaged part he had.
In the end when life makes you take another path, the soul mates meet again, even if years apart.
I can’t wait to read more books by this author.
This was a great read, lots of feels. My favorite by this author!
Well holy crap!!! What a beautiful book! I am so so moved by this book.
A tragic end to Ava’s first keg party leaves her yearning for the justice she deserves. The only problem is she can’t remember everything that happened that night and no one else from the party is speaking up. A year later she digs deep and returns to school only to be thrown back into the struggle of dealing with the fuzzy past.
This book has over 11,000 5 star reviews on GR and it is abundantly clear why. Ava is one strong chick and I admire all her perseverance. I want to wrap this book in a pretty little bow just to show how much I loved it. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this story either, it was perfect!!
I’d give this book a 4.5.
It was so heart wrenching and emotional. I loved seeing Ava’s journey from being a wide-eyed and insecure teenager who has gone through hell and back to becoming a strong and independent woman. Her anguish was palpable throughout her time in high school.
I absolutely loved Knox. He was adorable and sweet and so loyal to Ava. I loved how their relationship formed and how much he cared about her.
The entire story is written with so much depth and as a reader, I could really get in the heads of the main characters.
The reason I take away half a star is because there were parts in this book that I felt were extraneous and didn’t add anything to developing the story or characters. In fact, a couple even took away from it. One Such chapter was about Ava’s mom coming back to ask for money. It was unnecessary and made Ava seem too naive. The other one was the second epilogue. It seemed a bit much. The only other thing that was a little distracting to me was the use of repetitive words and phrases in the same sentence at times (“I need you, need you, need you”)
I really adored this book. I went in blind, never before have I read this author and without even reading the blurb and it was so good. When I first started reading it my emotions were all over the place and I hated Knox and the rest of the football team. What happened to Ava and then the way she was treated was absolutely appalling but she was fierce and strong and brave. Knox really stole my heart and that ending was amazing!! I’ll definitely read another book by Ilsa Madden-Mills!