Brieanna Wilkoff
BrieannaWilkoff.com
2026
Brieanna Wilkoff (she/her) is an award-winning author of contemporary young adult stories about friendship, romance, and family that tug at the heartstrings, including her debut, I’ll Be There for You, and her latest novel, Beyond the Bucket List.
She believes wholeheartedly in the power of kindness, the importance of theatre, and the awesomeness of ’80s rock, all of which feature prominently in I’ll Be There for You. Beyond the Bucket List is about making the most of the time we have and about our lasting impact on those around us. Visit Brieanna’s table for a bucket list you can fill out, as well as a handcrafted origami butterfly made from pages of the book and a card explaining the butterfly’s significance.
Brieanna’s favorite musical is a three-way tie between Les Mis, Wicked, and Hamilton, and a Playbill cruise is high on her bucket list. She lives in Westerville, Ohio, and can be found online at brieannawilkoff.com.
Beyond the Bucket List
Dell never thought she and her boyfriend, Charlie, would have a last kiss. Or that she would be diagnosed with cancer when she was seventeen. Or that her passion for running would inspire her community. But a Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis changes everything.
When the disease doesn’t respond to treatment, Dell makes a bucket list—if she can’t beat cancer, she’ll live life on her terms for as long as she can. But despite growing close to a surprising new friend and deepening her relationship with Charlie, Dell wants more. Her fixation on crossing things off the list drives a wedge between her and the people she loves when she needs them most.
In a world where none of us is guaranteed enough time to accomplish everything we might desire, Beyond the Bucket List reminds us that it’s not just what we do. It’s the lasting effect we have on the people around us.
I'll Be There for You
Rae Ballester loves movie musicals and—thanks to her dad—’80s rock. Since he died a year ago, his favorite music helps keep his memory alive. Struggling to move on, Rae keeps her head down and earbuds in, but shunning the world has cost her even her closest friendships, leaving her the “Owner of a Lonely Heart.”
When Rae meets Mac, a boy with a charming smile who thinks any problem can be solved with a show tune, she cautiously welcomes their easy banter. With his humor, enthusiasm, and well-curated Broadway playlists, Mac slowly edges his way into her heart, but when he proves “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” Rae thinks about withdrawing to the comfort of hair metal and the silver screen.
Should Rae retreat from the world to protect her already broken heart, or will her involvement in the school’s theatre program and the random acts of kindness she and others have started performing give her “Something to Believe In”? I’ll Be There for You delves into the personal journey of healing old wounds, making new friends, and learning how to build a future with pieces of the past and present.
