The Best Week That Never Happened
Summary
For fans of Everything Everything and The Love That Split the World comes a breathtaking new love story about living each day as if it were your last…
After her parents’ bitter divorce, family vacations to the Big Island in Hawaii ceased. But across the miles, eighteen-year-old Tegan Rossi remains connected to local Kai Kapule, her best friend from childhood. Now, Tegan finds herself alone and confused about how she got to the Big Island. With no wallet, no cell phone, purse, or plane ticket, Tegan struggles to piece together what happened. She must have come to surprise-visit Kai. Right?
As the teens grow even closer, Tegan pushes aside her worries and gets swept away in the vacation of her dreams. But each morning, Tegan startles awake from nightmares that become more difficult to ignore. Something is eerily amiss. Why is there a strange gap in her memory? Why can’t she reach her parents or friends from home? And what’s with the mysterious hourglass tattoo over her heart?
Kai promises to help Tegan figure out what is going on. But the answers they find only lead to more questions. As the week unfolds, Tegan will experience the magic of first love, the hope of second chances, and the bittersweet joy and grief of being human.
Click here to read an excerpt
Awards & Honors
Grand Prize Winner, Dante Rossetti Book Award in Young Adult Fiction
Finalist, International Book Awards
#1 New Release in Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism Fiction
Finalist, Best Book Awards
Winner, The Young Adult Book Awards
Finalist, Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Gold Medal Winner, Living Now Book Awards
Novel of Excellence, Author’s Circle Book Awards
Silver Medal, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
This debut novel is captivating and moving. A dazzling, emotional story of love, loss, and living in the moment.”
A Reedsy Discovery MUST READ: “This book is a rare gem that will make you appreciate everything and everyone that you have in your life.”
Dallas Woodburn weaves a bittersweet love story between star-crossed lovers—thwarted not only by distance but also by insurmountable tragedy. This captivating, poignant story is perfect for teens on the brink of discovering who they are and what really matters.”
With its subtle blend of magic and reality, The Best Week That Never Happened reveals much about the power of love to rise above obstacles that seem insurmountable.”
A poignant and gripping heart-tug of a page-turner filled with heart and hope. I couldn’t put it down. Magic.”
The Best Week that Never Happened was heartbreaking and mesmerizing. Words escaped me when I finished because I was so enthralled by the beauty of this book. Nothing has ever made me feel this way after reading. Prepare yourselves for a book that will make you appreciate everything that you have in your life and you’ll fall in love all over again.”
The Best Week That Never Happened was a heartwarming, poignant and bittersweet read about love, hope, and discovering yourself.”
Excerpts & Extras
Read an excerpt published on The Nerd Daily!
Read an excerpt published on Hypable!
Additional reading: here are some books by Hawaiian authors I would highly recommend
Book Blogger Danielle @BookishRhetor put together an awesome Spotify music playlist inspired by the book!
Check out my Pinterest boards with visual inspiration for the book & the music I listened to while writing this book
Book Club Guide
I love to visit book clubs — both in-person and virtually over Zoom! It's so much fun to answer questions and hear readers’ thoughts and insights. Download the free Book Club Guides for bonus material about each of my books, recipes, discussion questions, and more!