Ballad of Darcy & Russell, The

A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the electric, confusing intensity of a first romance while simultaneously questioning the reliability of the adults in their life. Through a high stakes night at a music festival, the story explores how Darcy and Russell connect instantly, only to find that their family histories are deeply and messily entangled. It is an ideal choice for the teen who feels like they are caught between the person they want to be and the legacy their family expects them to uphold. While it captures the rush of young love, it also provides a mature look at how past secrets can shape the present. Parents will find this useful for opening conversations about trust, family loyalty, and the realization that parents are flawed, complex individuals with their own histories.