New Release from Blue Dasher Press: Swimming to Chicago by Wren Valentino

Blue Dasher Press is thrilled to announce the release of the young adult novel Swimming to Chicago by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Now available in paperback and ebook formats, this powerful coming-of-age story explores grief, identity, and the kind of friendships that shape us forever.

About the Book:

Reeling from his mother’s suicide, seventeen-year-old Alex Bainbridge isolates himself from the world—often escaping to a secluded island behind his house. As an Armenian teen growing up in a small Southern town, Alex struggles to feel seen. His fierce friendship with the outspoken Jillian Dambro is his lifeline—until he meets Robby LaMont, a quiet new student who understands Alex in ways no one else ever has.

As their final year of high school unfolds and the adults in their lives spin out of control, Alex, Jillian, and Robby form an unbreakable bond. United by love and loyalty, the three make a bold decision to chart their own future—one that will test their courage and change their lives forever.

Author’s Inspiration:

In a note about his creative process, Wren Valentino shares:

“Swimming to Chicago was born out of music, memory, and emotion. I listened to a lot of Garbage and Metric while writing this book—those songs became a kind of emotional map for the characters. Their lyrics helped me tap into the rawness of Alex’s grief and the hope that emerges when you find people who truly see you. Both bands are mentioned in the book because their influence was so deeply felt during the writing process.”

Poignant, poetic, and ultimately hopeful, Swimming to Chicago is a must-read for fans of emotionally honest YA fiction.

Available Now:

Swimming to Chicago is now available in paperback and ebook through major retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and indie bookstores.

For more news on upcoming releases and behind-the-scenes insights, stay connected with Blue Dasher Press.

Blue Dasher Press Announces the Release of Wonder Land by Bestselling Author Wren Valentino

We are thrilled to announce the publication of Wonder Land, a gripping and heartfelt young adult supernatural romance novel by bestselling author Wren Valentino. Available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited, this enchanting story is one that blends magic, love, and loss into a narrative that will captivate readers from beginning to end.

After the devastating loss of her mother to cancer, fifteen-year-old Destiny Moore is forced to leave her home in Chicago and start fresh on the mysterious island of Avalon Cove, South Carolina. There, she moves in with her eccentric Uncle Fred and his husband Clark, and finds herself working part-time as a magician’s assistant—a far cry from her former life. As Destiny navigates her grief and attempts to adjust to her new home, she befriends two fellow outsiders, Tasha Gordon and Topher McGentry.

The trio is drawn to Wonder Land, an eerie and enchanting former boarding house owned by the enigmatic Adrianna Marveaux. It’s here that Destiny meets Dominic, and a deep connection is sparked. Meanwhile, Tasha finds herself intrigued by the mysterious Juliet, and Topher's heart is captured by Pablo. As their bonds grow, Destiny uncovers a shocking truth about why she and her friends were all brought to Wonder Land, and faces an impossible decision that will change their lives forever.

In Wonder Land, Wren Valentino explores the complex and painful themes of grief and loss through the lens of young love, friendship, and magic. Blending supernatural elements with deep emotional resonance, the novel invites readers to consider how the process of healing from loss can take unexpected forms and lead to profound personal growth.

Wren Valentino shared with us what inspired him to tackle these powerful themes in his latest novel:

“Grief is a universal experience, but it often feels like something we have to carry alone. I wanted to explore how young people—who are just starting to understand their own identities—process such profound loss, and how love can act as both a salve and a catalyst for change. The idea of blending magic and sorrow was particularly compelling to me; what if the mystical could help unlock parts of ourselves we’ve closed off in our pain? What if the impossible, like finding love in the midst of loss, could be a form of healing? That’s what I wanted to explore with Wonder Land—the intersection of magic, sorrow, and love, and how all three can shape our journeys toward understanding and acceptance.”

Wonder Land is now available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, allowing fans of magical realism, romance, and stories of self-discovery to dive right in. Whether you’re looking for a book to lose yourself in or a story that will touch your heart, Wonder Land promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

Get your copy today and start the journey to Avalon Cove—where magic, love, and the search for self intertwine in ways you won’t soon forget.