A sweet debut from Elise Bryant, Happily Ever Afters is a joy from start-to-finish! Teared up more than once at Tessa writing her own romance. Fans of Jenny Han will absolutely adore and I'm a fan of Bryant's for life.

Content warning: anxiety

This is an adorable YA romance book and I absolutely loved it.

Tessa is a high school student starting a new school this year. It’s an arts based school so Tessa will be able to write endlessly during her classes which is her dream come true. Soon she learns that her biggest fears will come to life when she realizes she’ll have to share her work with her entire class. The start of a new school and sharing her work lead to writers block like she has never experienced. Caroline, Tessa’s best friend, helps Tessa establish a plan to get her writing back in track. As a romance writer, this plan is centered on a real life romance for Tessa. Will the plan work? Will she pursue the right guy? How will she ever be able to write again?

This book was great and explored all relationships that affect teen-aged girls - familial, friendships, romantic and personal. It grasps what I remember it feeling like to be a teenager. It’s frustrating (and you get frustrated with these characters for sure) and anxiety-inducing and complicated beyond all measure because all teenagers are trying to find themselves and how they fit in. It explores wanting to be a part of the in crowd while staying true to yourself and your family. The book truly encapsulates how challenging teenage life can be.

A sweet romance about the reality of love versus the fiction, writers block, and friendship. Tessa is a wonderful main character, though sometimes her (very realistic) obliviousness to to what her crush is really like, was frustrating. Her brother was a well-rounded and honest portrayal of a character with his specific disabilities. Tessa's fear about presenting her romance themed creative writing to her classmates who write more "serious" fiction was highly relatable. Overall, a perfectly satisfying read from a debut to watch.