Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling - by Elise Bryant

About the Book

"Delilah always keeps her messy, gooey insides hidden behind a wall of shrugs and year, whatevers, She goes with the flow-which is how she ends up singing in her friend's punk band as a favor, even though she'd prefer to hid at the merch table. Reggie is a D&D Dungeon Master and self-declared Blerd. He spends his free time leading quests and writing essays critiquing the game under a pseudonym, keeping it all under wraps from his disapproving family. These two, who have practically nothing in common, meet for the first time on New Year's Eve...and then again each month, for every holiday. It's almost like the universe is pushing them together for a reason. Delilah wishes she were more like Reggie-open about what she likes and who she is, even if it's not cool. Except...it's all a front. Reggie is just role-playing someone confident. The kind of guy who could be with a girl like Delilah. As their holiday meetings continue, the two begin to fall for each other. But what happens once they realize they've fallen for a version of the other that doesn't really exist?"--Page 4 of cover.

Book Synopsis

From the NAACP Image Award-nominated author of Happily Ever Afters comes a dual POV rom-com about Reggie and Delilah, who fall in love through missed connections and chance meetings on holidays over the course of a year. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han, with crossover appeal for readers of Jasmine Guillory and Talia Hibbert romances.

Delilah always keeps her messy, gooey insides hidden behind a wall of shrugs and yeah, whatevers. She goes with the flow--which is how she ends up singing in her friends' punk band as a favor, even though she'd prefer to hide at the merch table.

Reggie is a D&D Dungeon Master and self-declared Blerd. He spends his free time leading quests and writing essays critiquing the game under a pseudonym, keeping it all under wraps from his disapproving family.

These two, who have practically nothing in common, meet for the first time on New Year's Eve. And then again on Valentine's Day. And then again on St. Patrick's Day. It's almost like the universe is pushing them together for a reason.

Delilah wishes she were more like Reggie--open about what she likes and who she is, even if it's not cool. Except . . . it's all a front. Reggie is just role-playing someone confident. The kind of guy who could be with a girl like Delilah.

As their holiday meetings continue, the two begin to fall for each other. But what happens once they realize they've each fallen for a version of the other that doesn't really exist?

Review Quotes

"Told through dual narration, this sweet, will-they-or-won't-they romance has refreshingly authentic depth."... "With themes of identity, courage, and authenticity, this tender story celebrates young love's messy, beautiful complexity." - School Library Journal
"A darling ballad for the shy and nerdy yearning to belong." - Kirkus Reviews
"Hand to contemporary romance readers who enjoy social commentary but love a warm dose of fluff." - ALA Booklist
"A captivating, complicated, angst-y, and beautiful love story of a teenage girl trying to grow into and embrace herself. For romantics of all ages, especially those who seldom see themselves in lead roles." - Kirkus Reviews
"Bryant's debut will charm readers from the start.... Bryant seamlessly captures a broader view of the high-school experience through Tessa's eyes, including such complications as pressure from her parents to be a better sibling and an uneasy long-distance friendship that seems to be floundering. While skillfully and realistically portraying Tessa's many challenges, Bryant never loses sight of the love story at the book's heart. Hand to fans of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before or Maurene Goo's I Believe in a Thing Called Love." - ALA Booklist
"Happily Ever Afters is sweet, smart, and utterly charming. Following Tessa as she navigates friendship, romance, and family dynamics was an absolute joy." - Brandy Colbert, author of The Voting Booth
"An irresistible love song dedicated to hope, joy, overcoming fears, and trusting your voice, Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling is unapologetically swoony and refreshingly honest. Another exceptional addition to the Elise Bryant collection and every reader's shelf." - Julian Winters, award-winning author of Running With Lions and Right Where I Left You
"Bryant has truly mastered her medium, delivering powerful lessons for characters and readers alike in the form of a delicious, cozy, joyful romance to usher in the new year." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
"Via inspirational self-discovery arcs with fated romance vibes, Bryant pens a tender tale prioritizing conversations on disability and tokenism." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"In this companion novel to Happily Ever Afters, Bryant maintains her contemporary yet timeless authorial style that is a breath of fresh air for the genre. The dynamic characters and relationships and authentic tone make for an engaging read. Charm and humor balance the portions of the novel that delve into more serious topics like race, the pressures of familial and societal expectations, and mental health. A sweet love story for the realistic romantics of the world." - Kirkus Reviews
"One True Loves is not only wonderfully romantic, funny and charming--it has genuine depth. I loved watching Lenore learn to open herself up to love and to the wider world around her." - Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"I love this book! One True Loves is laugh-out-loud funny, and every character is so tenderly drawn. Elise Bryant manages something quietly revolutionary in giving us Black love and Black joy on a European cruise, while also deftly and thoughtfully examining the burdens of representation and the beauty of the Black family." - Christina Hammonds Reed, New York Times bestselling author of The Black Kids
Praise for HAPPILY EVER AFTERS: "This well-written, page-turning romance is packed with smart dialogue, powerful insights, and a lovable cast of characters. Highly recommended for all high school libraries." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Caught between pursuing a tale-worthy love and slowly losing herself, Tessa must learn to tell a story that's uniquely hers. Debut author Bryant creates a wholly genuine protagonist in Tessa; readers will surely root for her as she finds her voice." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Nimbly blends bubbly, will-they-won't-they teen romance with a frank look at issues ranging from impostor syndrome and identity to race and mental health. Bryant treats the tough stuff with nuance and compassion through conversations among a richly drawn cast of diverse and appealing characters.... [and] delightful examples of strong, healthy friendships." - BookPage (starred review)
"Happy Ever Afters is an absolute delight to read, and put a smile on my face from beginning to end. Elise Bryant's charmer of a debut is an unapologetic love letter to every black and brown girl who's ever dared to imagine herself at the center of her favorite romance. My heart is full knowing young romance lovers will get to read about a heroine like Tessa." - Adriana Herrera, author of American Dreamer
"Happily Ever Afters is the warm, nerdy, big-hearted rom-com of my dreams and I dare you to read it without grinning your face off." - Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Praise for ONE TRUE LOVES: "One True Loves is a fantastic tale full of shenanigans, escapades, and lighthearted banter, while also delving into deeper issues of race and the perception of the successful futures of young people of color." - NPR
"The narrative does so much more than tick the enemies-to-lovers box. Lenore shines as a compelling female lead searching as much for a sense of self as for a soul mate, and her broader family story gives a depth and sensitivity to her struggles. Alex, meanwhile, as handsome and charming as a leading man should be, is likewise flawed, honest, and supportive. Thoughtful commentary on race throughout stands as an essential part of the story, as Lenore reflects on how being Black affects her decisions, her friendships, her love life, and the future she thinks she should have. A companion novel to Bryant's previous Happily Ever Afters, this novel will delight earlier fans and garner new ones. " - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"This summer romance seamlessly packs vacation fun alongside serious discussions of race and mental health....Supportive relationships, even in unexpected places, and flawed characters coming into their own make this novel especially compelling. With its twists on beloved tropes, this a clear pick for fans of Sandhya Menon and Stephanie Perkins." - ALA Booklist