As always, Matson wrote a beautiful story, a romance that blooms during a 24-hour adventure.
Beautiful writing with connections, fun and sweetness.
My only side note is the on-and-on in the protagonist's head, However, as part of the author's narrative style I should be already used to it.
I received an ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, and I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fantastic 24 hour, insta love, YA roadtrip romcom that sees two teens falling in love over the course of one night until things come crashing down when one is revealed to be the son of a famous rock star. Full of great banter, super swoony moments, family drama and coming of age/high school graduation anxiety angst. I really enjoyed this one that was great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Nick and Norah's infinite playlist or Ferris Bueller's day off. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: kissing only

I will never not love a Morgan Matson book and The Ballad of Darcy and Russell is no different.
Morgan Matson is still up there as my favourite author and I still can't believe she mailed me the book herself.
The Ballad of Darcy and Russell is so cute and charming I couldn't get enough.
If you have been a fan of her books in the past make sure you pick this one up because you won't be disappointed.

I am here for all the new Morgan Matson!

Darcy & Russell meet when their bus breaks down while coming home from a music festival. They try to make the best of a bad night by getting to know each other, tacos, and a late night swim. But of course, they’re both hiding some secrets!

Everything about this book is charming. You have a great meet cute, a few twists and a wonderful array of characters. There’s something so comforting about a Morgan Matson book and The Ballad of Darcy & Russell is no different from her others.

This is everything a YA contemporary should be. But just a FYI I would put this at the higher age limit of YA due to some thematic elements and a bit of language.

I have been a Morgan Matson fan for years and I was absolutely thrilled to receive this early copy.

I truly loved this book. Even though I’m at a different stage of my life than Darcy, I still related to her so deeply. She is moving off to college and is unsure if she’s making the right decision—that is so real!

I thought the plot and romance in this novel was done so well!! Matson is a master of crafting a romance that feels realistic. She doesn’t rush a romance and she allowed Darcy to realize that her life must come first before she can fall in love.

I loved the growth of her relationship with her mother. Again, it wasn’t rushed or left until the very ending. It was an issue that Darcy returned to throughout the novel, and I love how it was resolved.

The wild adventures in the story were so fun and I enjoyed this book immensely!

Darcy decided to have one last adventure of the summer. Attend a music festival in Nevada and get back home to Los Angeles before heading out to her first year of college in Stanwich, CT. Heading home from the festival leaves her stranded in a small town in Nevada, and her phone just died. Trying to find a charge she meets Russell. Wondering if this is the perfect meet cute they wander the town in search of a charge. Over one night the two discover things about themselves and each other. Before they leave each other, their lives are changed forever and Darcy is feeling a little clearer about the trajectory of her life.

I have read Morgan Matson’s books for years now and her YA novels are emotional and full of heart. I love her storytelling and find her books unputdownable. This story is very insta-lovey, but also realistic about it too. Russell and Darcy’s relationship was a whirlwind, but it felt like the type of young love that may be experienced, especially when both of them were in emotional places in their lives.

Morgan Matson did manage to surprise me with a twist and I loved how it worked out. It kept me interested and turning the pages. I also loved how she explored different family dynamics through Darcy’s eyes and allowed us to understand her struggles. I found myself captured by Darcy and Russell and felt like I was part of the story.

If you want a great story about friendship, finding yourself and a fun adventure, this would be the story for you. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.

In "The Ballad of Darcy and Russell," Morgan Matson spins a captivating tale of love, self-discovery, and the fleeting magic of chance encounters. Darcy, a steadfast believer in love at first sight, finds her world turned upside down when stranded at a Nevada bus station on the brink of college departure. Enter Russell—a charming stranger who embodies her ideal partner. Told over the course of 24 hours, Darcy and Russel struggle to determine, is it worth it to say hello if you're destined to say goodbye?

I have loved Morgan Matson as an author for many years now, and Darcy and Russel was a great reminder of how much I enjoy her style. As Darcy and Russell spend the night together, their bond deepens, revealing hidden truths about themselves. I found the the story started off a bit rocky with insta-love and some truly cheesy moments, it soon found its rhythm. Darcy and Russel were sweet characters and I found the premise of the story to be entertaining, despite the insta-love turning me off. Matson's exploration of unconventional family dynamics also adds depth to the story, making it feel real and relatable.

While the slow start might not be for everyone, "The Ballad of Darcy and Russell" is ultimately a heartwarming tale that sticks with you even after you've turned the last page.

It has been a few years since I last read a Morgan Matson book and so I was excited that to receive an ARC.

This book started off a bit rough. Part one was honestly the weakest part of the whole book and that is mainly due to the insta-love. Look, I am a hopeless romantic just like our protagonist Darcy, but I did not get the feeling that love was in the air. I mean she was stranded in a bus station with a boy she barely knew and her phone was dead. All I kept thinking was DANGER DANGER. I mean this was the perfect situation for a serial killer. With Darcy hearing her friends’ voices in her mind, the thriller vibes were not off… And then you throw in love at first sight and cheesy declarations by Darcy and Russell and it was just not a strong and compelling start to the book for me.

However, once I got past part one, the book really takes off and I enjoyed it so much more. There was a bit of a twist that I didn’t see coming and it got me more invested in the story. I also love how the author expanded on the complicated family dynamics of both Darcy and Russell. MM has always been very good at writing family relationships and it was honestly the most interesting aspect about this book. And the last chapter and the epilogue were also just so adorable!

And so, despite the slow start, I still really liked this book and I would recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a YA romance read.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So this book is classic Morgan Matson. It’s easy to read, with a fast, intense romance, a misunderstanding, a path towards reconciliation, and satisfying character growth. In other words, I loved it. Sometimes you just need a quick and satisfying story. I loved the characters of Darcy and Russell, and also really loved the big messy family of the Ozzy Osbourne-esque Wylie Saunders.

Something I did not love was the strange insertion of Darcy’s best friends as imaginary friends (????). It was like an editor said “Darcy is alone in her thoughts too much. She needs friends.” And Matson thought, “Hmmm well okay I guess w can have her friends appear in her imagination?” It was weird and felt awkward.

On the whole, though, I would recommend this book for anyone who loves quick and satisfying contemporary romances. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.