Dear Ava
WSJ bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a gripping enemies-to-lovers, secret admirer, high school romance. The rich and popular Sharks rule at prestigious, ivy-covered Camden Prep. Once upon a time, I wanted to be part of their world--until they destroyed me. The last thing I expected was an anonymous love letter from one of them. Please. I hate every one of those rich jerks for what they did to me. The question is, which Shark is my secret admirer? Knox, the scarred quarterback. Dane, his twin brother. Or Chance, the ex who dumped me. . . Dear Ava, Your eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea. Wait. That's stupid. What I really mean is, you look at me and I feel something REAL. It's been ten months since you were here, but I can't forget you. I've missed seeing you walk down the hall. I've missed you cheering at my football games. I've missed the smell of your hair. And then everything fell apart the night of the kegger. Don't hate me because I'm a Shark. I just want to make you mine. Still. Mature Content. Recommended for 18+. A short excerpt of Dear Ava appeared in Team Player 2. (No longer available) This all-new, full-length version is 376 pages and 100,000 words.
About This Book
Dear Ava is a novel by Ilsa Madden-Mills, first published in 2020 by Independently published. Readers can expect enemies to lovers.
At a glance
- Trope
- Enemies to Lovers
- Published
- 2020
Where to read or listen
Get Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- After a devastating betrayal by an elite group of high schoolers known as the Sharks, a girl returns to find herself the target of an anonymous admirer from within their ranks.
- Fans of high school angst
- Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers dynamics
- Intense
- Features Enemies to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- The specific nature of the 'mature content' is not defined beyond the age rating
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: High School Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Unequal social standing between the 'rich and popular Sharks' and the protagonist.
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High tension, high angst.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adults (18+ due to mature content)
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
At the prestigious Camden Prep, the social hierarchy is ruled by the 'Sharks'. Ava, having been severely wronged by them in the past, wants nothing to do with them. However, she begins receiving anonymous letters from one of the members—Knox, Dane, or her ex, Chance—forcing her to confront her past and the lingering feelings she has for someone from that world.
Central Conflict
Ava struggles with her intense hatred for the boys who betrayed her and her complicated, lingering feelings for an anonymous admirer who is one of those very boys.
Setting
Camden Prep high school.
Strengths
- Clear hook involving an anonymous secret admirer
- Established social dynamics within the school
Consider before reading
- The specific nature of the 'mature content' is not defined beyond the age rating
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- October 13, 2026
- Confidence:
- Moderate confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Independently published
- Published
- 2020
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781660191413
- ISBN-10
- 1660191416
Dear Ava: quick answers
- Who wrote Dear Ava?
- Dear Ava was written by Ilsa Madden-Mills.
- When was Dear Ava published?
- Dear Ava was first published in 2020 by Independently published.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Dear Ava by Ilsa Madden-Mills
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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