Devon and Ashton are bound together by the stars. When Devon, an aspiring astronomer passionate about the power of the galaxies, meets Ashton, she is sure she has found her soul mate. But after a summer filled with stargazing and blossoming love ends with Ashton’s complete and sudden disappearance from Devon’s life, she is left heartbroken. Though her life ambles on, she finds herself constantly held back by the ghost of her relationship with Ashton.
Determined to move on, Devon prepares for her senior year at the elite Preston Academy. As one of just a few low-income students of color at Preston Academy, Devon knows she must remain focused on academics in order to prove herself and earn a spot in the astronomy program at her dream university. However, when Devon arrives to her first day of school and discovers that Ashton has enrolled as a student at Preston, her carefully laid plans for her final year turn upside down, and she and Ashton enter into a passionate yet deeply complicated relationship. As she learns that Ashton’s life is far darker than she could have imagined, Devon is forced to make a painful choice: Should she prioritize her own well-being, or that of the boy she loves?
Through Devon’s struggle to recognize the importance of valuing herself within her romantic relationship, debut author Ronni Davis deftly illustrates one of the primary challenges of young love. Davis also eloquently discusses the concept of privilege without centering its narrative around themes of race and class. Deeply moving and thought-provoking, When the Stars Lead to You takes readers on a journey through first love and the turbulence, heartbreak and indispensable lessons that it can bring.
