The Ballad of Darcy & Russell - An Honest ARC Review

Peter Arnaudo • March 9, 2025

The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson



Have you ever felt the overwhelming panic of being stranded somewhere, late at night, without a charger, as your phone slowly dies? 


The Ballad of Darcy & Russell by Morgan Matson kicks off with everyone’s worst nightmare: our main characters finding themselves at a bus station in the middle of nowhere with no money, no food, and no backup plan. 


After trekking across the country to attend a concert, Darcy is facing a little bit of trouble. Luckily, there’s a handsome young stranger in a similar situation and he’s more than happy to make a new friend.


Together, they make the most of every moment.


The Ballad of Darcy & Russell was an anxiety-inducing, light-hearted contemporary romance perfect for book lovers between 14-17 years old. A little bit of whimsy never hurt anyone. 


With a slow-to-start plot line that turns into a whirlwind adventure, we can see teenagers falling head over heels with both Darcy and Russell. This book is strongly character driven and the rapport between the two main characters will have you turning page after page. 


A solid four-star read!


DISCLAIMER: The Book Cow received an ARC of The Ballad of Darcy & Russell from Affirm Press in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings expressed are our own.

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