YA romance that resonates deeply
Unforgettable stories of family dramas, friendships and first love - where psychological insight meets self-discovery
Two friends, two unforgettable stories
Meet Tilly
She’s dreaming of the dad she’s never known, grieving her grandmother and super angry at her mum for working, again. And she’s also grappling with these more-than-friends feelings for the boy next door.
Meet Eliza
She’s trying to be the perfect girlfriend to the boy she met over summer, win the national debating championships and deal with the escalating family tension at home. Plus there’s a distracting new member of their debating team.
Book 01
Never, Not Ever
A summer of secrets and second chances
Every year, Tilly dreams of the dad she’s never known showing up for her birthday. But he never does. When she wakes up on the morning of her sixteenth birthday dadless yet again, she knows it’ll never happen.
In fact, it’s her worst birthday ever because her grandmother died a few months ago, her mum is working again, and the boy she’s in love with—the ridiculously gorgeous Josh—refuses to break up with his drama-queen girlfriend and notice her instead.
Then Tilly’s dad does show up, shocking everyone, and she works out an awful truth: Her mum and her grandma lied to her. For sixteen years! Tilly is drowning in her family’s lies. Worse, these feelings for her neighbour Zack—these stupid, flustering, more-than-friends feelings she’s been trying to ignore—mean she’s also lying to herself.
Never, not ever… the story she expected
Book 02
Everything’s Absolutely Fine
When perfect plans are perfectly ruined
This is Eliza’s year.
She’s got a hot new situationship with gorgeous Seb, she’s primed to win the national debating championships (wiping out last year’s epic fail), and she’s finally, finally going to make her mum proud.
But then her domineering grandmother moves in. She’s taking over Eliza’s bedroom, making toxic judgements at the dinner table and giving her opinions on everything.
Worse, her sister Ivy is acting weird, Seb missed the memo about the perfect relationship, and then there’s Declan, an intriguing new debater who’s way too distracting.
With her social life in upheaval and a storm of family traumas brewing, Eliza struggles to keep it all from erupting, including the secret she’s been hiding from everyone—including herself.
Everything’s absolutely fine… until it’s not.
“I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!! (Yes, all caps shouting with glee and minimum five exclamation marks). Deep compassion. I’m so hungry for more.”
— Reader
“I just wanted to thank you for your book. My daughter hasn’t read all morning for a while now, but [it’s almost lunchtime] and she’s still going!!”
— Mum
“It was the perfect way to combine the students’ love of books with covert personal development conversations based on issues they can relate to.”
— High School Principal
“Aww y’all this book was so endearing! I found myself falling in love with Tilly and rooting for her family. Such a heartfelt, coming of age story.”
— Reader
“This is a great read for older teens and adults who love a good family drama. I loved how carefully Jodie handled the topic of mental health and the hard things teenagers deal with. It was deep and sweet and makes you feel.”
— Reader
“Such an amazingly well written book- 10/10 recommend!”
— Reader
What makes these books different
Books you’ll devour
Stories that are romantic and real - with the added bonus of igniting emotional insight and self-understanding
Stories that spark reflection
Simple, psychologist-designed prompts based on the psychological model used in the book. Go from reader to reflector in minutes.
About the author
Jodie Benveniste - Author & Psychologist
I write heartfelt young adult fiction that’s absorbing and relatable, while also supporting self-discovery and emotional wellbeing.
As a registered psychologist, I understand how our inner world shapes the way we feel, connect and grow.
My books weave that insight into compelling, emotionally truthful fiction — so you can lose yourself in story and find yourself amongst the pages.