Practice makes perfect. Everyone at Hundred Oaks High knows that career mentoring day is a joke. So when Maya said she wanted to be a rock star, she never imagined she'd get to shadow the Jesse Scott, Nashville's teen idol. But spending the day with Jesse is far from a dream come true. He's as gorgeous as his music, but seeing all that he's accomplished is just a reminder of everything Maya's lost: her trust, her boyfriend, their band, and any chance to play the music she craves. Not to mention that Jesse's pushy and opinionated. He made it on his own, and he thinks Maya's playing back up to other people's dreams. Does she have what it takes to follow her heart―and go solo? Praise for Miranda Kenneally's Breathe, Annie, Breathe : "[An] expertly paced and realistic romance."― Booklist , starred review "Heartfelt, uplifting, and quite possibly enough motivation to make readers reach for their running shoes." ― Publisher's Weekly "Breathe, Annie, Breathe is an emotional, heartfelt, and beautiful story about finding yourself after loss and learning to love. Her best book yet." ―Jennifer L. Armentrout, New York Times bestselling author of Wait for You "A sweet love story and an inspiring heroine who will push you to follow your own dreams. JESSE'S GIRL arrives just in time to make the perfect summer read. " ― Examiner.com "An absorbing story…[Kenneally] creates two characters who come across as real individuals…Highly enjoyable." ― Kirkus Reviews "Jesse’s Girl is the perfect summer novel hitting all the right notes. Add this to your TBR pile - right near the top!" ― YA Book Nerd "Few YA authors write contemporary romance like Miranda Kenneally. Her Hundred Oaks series... are full of wonderfully heartfelt stories of young love. " ― Paste Magazine "Kenneally branches out with this book while keeping all the elements readers have come to love about her books: friendship, family life, romance, strong female characters, and a glimpse at past characters... Jesse’s Girl is the perfect summer novel hitting all the right notes." ― VOYA magazine "Kenneally’s story about following one’s dreams inspires as it entertains." ― Publishers Weekly "A light summer read for romance fans." ― School Library Journal Growing up in Tennessee, MIRANDA KENNEALLY dreamed of becoming an Atlanta Brave, a country singer (cliché!), or a UN interpreter. Instead she writes and works for the State Department in Washington, D.C., where George W. Bush once used her shoulder as an armrest. Miranda loves Twitter, Star Trek and her husband. Visit mirandakenneally.com The Space Between Backstage, there's so much security, you'd think it was the White House. I've been to plenty of concerts, but I've never had a backstage pass, so I follow Dr. Salter's lead and keep flashing my all-access badge over and over. My principal squeezes between two beefy men in security jackets and knocks on a door stamped with a red star. A man in a tailored black suit and shimmering blue tie opens the door. He's got better skin than any girl I know, and I bet his haircut cost a small fortune. "Oh good. It's you," he says to Dr. Salter, giving him a bright smile. The man takes my hand. "You must be Maya." "Yes, sir." "Come on in." Inside the dark dressing room, I spot a vintage Gibson guitar, three flat-screen TVs all showing the Braves game, and a table piled high with burgers and corn on the cob. I thought nothing could smell more delicious than my mom's cooking, but I was wrong. "Maya, this is Jesse's manager, Mark Logan," Dr. Salter says. Mr. Logan pats my back like I'm one of the good ole boys. "Jesse will be out in a minute to meet you. Why don't you get yourself a drink?" He gestures at the bar, which appears to be booze-free. Seems like a good move, considering Jesse got drunk and fell off that yacht a few months ago. The press had a field day with that, because it was totally out of character for Jesse Scott. Yeah, he's a famous country star, but everyone thinks of him as this sweet, quiet boy from down on the farm. "Could I have a word next door in private?" Mr. Logan asks my principal. "Jesse's telling the crowd tonight." Dr. Salter's face goes from happy to anxious, and they step back into the hallway where the security guys are buzzing around in their yellow jackets. All alone now, I gaze over at Jesse's guitar. I'm itching to try it out. What I wouldn't give to throw the strap around my neck, charge out of the dressing room onto the stage, and rock out to Queen. But would I do "Somebody to Love"? Or "Another One Bites the Dust"? It's a silly idea―I wouldn't make it three feet before the beefcake security guys tackle me. I'd bite the dust. Literally. And if I sang, it's a one hundred percent possibility my voice would crack. Playing onstage at the Opry...wouldn't it be great, though? I love playing guitar and performing more than anything. Before I started The Fringe, which was originally an eighties tribute band but has since become heavy