More Than Valedictorian

Lilly Rose and Jaxson Ross have been locked in a fierce academic rivalry since their first day of kindergarten. From spelling bees to science fairs, debate championships to SAT scores, they've battled for every gold star, every trophy, every ounce of recognition their small-town schools had to offer. Now, as high school seniors, the stakes have never been higher-the title of valedictorian hangs in the balance, and the margin between them is razor thin.

But somewhere between shared glances in AP Literature and accidental brushes in biology lab, something begins to shift. The competition that once fueled them starts to feel heavier, messier, and filled with confusing emotions they can't quite name. As college deadlines loom and their final year races toward the finish line, Lilly and Jaxson must confront the truth behind their rivalry: that maybe it's not just about being the best-maybe it's about being seen, understood, and loved by the one person who's always been there, just on the other side of the finish line.

More Than Valedictorian is a heartwarming, sharply written rivals-to-lovers romance filled with banter, tension, ambition, and vulnerability. For fans of slow-burn chemistry, academic drama, and characters who learn that sometimes love is the greatest achievement of all.