Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for If You Only Knew by Prerna Pickett! I am really excited about this debut YA romance book. Keep reading to learn more about the book, find out Prerna Pickett’s favourite fictional couples.

Title: If You Only Knew
Author: Prerna Pickett
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: February 11, 2020

Summary (from Goodreads):

A boy recently released from jail and the daughter of a prosecutor fall for each other against the odds in this YA novel.

Corey has just been released from jail, and all he wants is a new beginning. But when his former gang comes knocking, Corey agrees to vandalize the home of Kent Hopper, the prosecutor who put him away.

To erase the guilt she carries from getting away with a crime, Tessa spends most of her nights riding her motorcycle. When she catches Corey destroying her father’s car, she doesn’t see a criminal: She sees a way to finally right her own wrongs. So instead of turning Corey over to the police, she convinces her father to give Corey a second chance.

As Tessa and Corey spend more time with each other, it becomes difficult to ignore the pull between them. But they’re both keeping secrets, and when those secrets come to light, they’ll each have to face their demons in order to have a future together. 

Guest Post: Prerna Pickett, Author of If You Only Knew

My Top 10 Favourite Fictional Couples

10. Kit and Nat from The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. I read this book in the fourth grade, and it was the first time I ever “shipped” a couple and swooned over a romance. Kit is a bit prissy in the beginning of the book, she’s naïve and spoiled, and Nat calls her out on it. They both grow and mature, and by the end it’s pretty clear they’re perfect for each other.

9. Remy and Dexter from This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. My senior year of high school I picked up my favorite Sarah Dessen book. Remy’s voice immediately grabbed my attention and Dexter stole my heart. Remy is running away from love and Dexter is more than ready for it. There are plenty of bumps in their journey to a happily ever after, and I found it quiet satisfying.

8. Ella and Char from Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Another one of my early ships. When I first finished this book in middle school, I immediately went back to the first page and reread it. I adored their meet-cute, and how their chemistry jumped off the pages.

7. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice was my first Austen novel, and even though Persuasion now tops it as my favorite, I can’t not have the two of them on this list. They were a formative part of my teen years. I love the quiet fire between them, the indifference, the way Darcy loves Elizabeth from afar, how Elizabeth slowly realizes that maybe the two of them aren’t so different after all.

6. Anne and Wentworth from Persuasion by Jane Austen. What can I say, I’m a sucker for longing. And that letter that Wentworth wrote Anne? Oh the anguish! I also love second chance romances and boy does Austen do a wonderful job of delivering in this historical romance.

5. Kaye and Roiben from Tithe by Holly Black. Dark tales about the fey are my favorite and Holly Black’s book, Tithe, was my introduction into this cruel and twisted world. I wanted Kaye to be with Roiben as soon as they had their first interaction. It was love at first irritation.

4. Dimple and Rishi from When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. I adore a soft boy who believes in love and an ambitious girl who has no time for romance. This book is so sweet and cute and makes my heart flutter.

3. Rose and Dimitri from The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. This one is a bit controversial, because there is a big age gap between the two, but oh my gosh their chemistry is off the charts and completely undeniable.

2. Nastya and Josh from The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. First off, why hasn’t Ms. Millay written more books?!? I need them! Okay, now that that’s out of the way, this couple is one of my favorites because of the quiet way they fall for each other. They start off as reluctant friends, then to full friends, and then to romantic partners. Their progression is natural and the spark between them apparent from the first moment they meet.

1. Sorcha and Red from Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier. They are absolute couple goals for me. I knew as soon as I started writing this list that they would be my number one couple. Red is patient and loving. Sorcha is fighting to survive and save her brothers. He protects her. He waits for her. And the ending is so very satisfying.

About Prerna Pickett

I’m a wife, mom, writer, reader. Lover of foods, beaches, the ocean, shoes, starry nights. Sometimes I pretend like I’m good at drawing.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

About The Candid Cover

Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.