Rhythm & Muse

Cinderella meets Cyrano in this pitch-perfect YA rom-com that is a celebration of Black joy, first crushes, and putting your heart on the line for love. Darren Johnson lives in his head. There, he can pine for his crush—total dream girl, Delia Dawson—in peace, away from the unsolicited opinions of his talkative family and showboat friends. When Delia announces a theme song contest for her popular podcast, Dillie D in the Place to Be, Darren’s friends—convinced he’ll never make a move—submit one of his secret side projects for consideration. After the anonymous romantic verse catches Dillie’s ear, she sets out to uncover the mystery singer behind the track. Now Darren must decide: Is he ready to step out of the shadows and take the lead in his own life? A Modern Cyrano Retelling: Instead of letters, Darren’s wooing his crush with a song—one he never meant for her to hear. Secret Identity Romance: He’s the anonymous singer Dillie is falling for, but she has no idea the mystery man is the quiet guy from her class. Funny High School Love Story: Full of relatable first-crush daydreams, meddling best friends, and the terrifying thrill of putting your heart on the line. A Celebration of Black Joy: A heartwarming and uplifting contemporary YA novel about finding your voice, chasing your dreams, and embracing first love.