The Ballad of Darcy and Russell

From New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson comes a sweeping romantic novel about love, fate…and that one night that can change everything.

Darcy believes in love at first sight.

Even though it’s never happened to her, she’s spent her whole life waiting for that perfect, magical moment. But right now, her life is anything but perfect. In the aftermath of a music festival, she’s stranded at a bus station until morning—the day before she leaves for college. Her phone is dead, she has no cash, and she’s convinced nothing good can come of this night…but then she meets Russell.

Russell. Cute and nice, funny, and kind. She knows this is the moment—and the guy—she’s been waiting for. And they have until sunrise to walk and talk and connect.

Over the course of this one fateful night—filled with football field picnics, night swimming, and escape-artist dogs—Darcy and Russell’s lives will change forever. They’ll discover things they never imagined about each other…and about themselves.

But can you really know someone after only a handful of hours? Is it possible to fall in love in just one day?

And is it worth saying hello…when you know you’re destined for a goodbye?

Morgan Matson is the New York Times bestselling author of six books for teens, including Since You’ve Been Gone and Save the Date, and the middle grade novel The Firefly Summer. She lives in Los Angeles but spends part of every summer in the Pocono Mountains. Visit her at MorganMatson.com.

ISBN: 9781481499019
Format: Hardback
Pages: 400
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: May 07, 2024

"...this is an intimate character study of a girl on the precipice of change and an examination of how love changes as we begin to really know someone. Fans of all-in-one-day stories, like Nicola Yoon's The Sun Is Also a Star (2016), will eat it up.""As the serendipitous duo bond over their hopes and fears and personal challenges, it’s impossible not to be invested in their growing connection.""A strongly plotted romantic comedy with plenty of well-structured, pitch-perfect drama to dig into."