drake. Castleton.
The Castletons own River Valley. Everywhere you go, you’ll see their name. Castleton Motor Sports. Castleton’s Steakhouse. Castleton Golf Resort and Spa. Castleton… High School. The Castletons think money buys everything, including people. And Drake Castleton is the worst of the bunch—self-proclaimed King of the School. Too cool for the football team. Too sexy for academics. Too dangerous to fall in love with.
TARRYN
I’m new in town, and I’ve been warned about the Castleton Family. I’ve been warned about Drake.
He’ll charm your pants off, girl. He’ll take you for a ride, leave you wanting more, and move on to the next girl. He’s a user. He’s just like his father. He’s a bully.
I know all this and I’m not a stupid girl. I don't fall for bad boys. But the minute Drake Castleton notices me, I’m a goner. Of course, I won't let him know that...
DRAKE
The new girl doesn't want me. In fact, she seems to instantly detest me. And that just makes me want her more.
Sure, she isn’t what I’d call pretty. Mouse brown hair. Giant ridiculous eyes. Permanently-pouting lips that are just a little too big. But there's something about her, something undeniable. I'm going to make her mine. The only problem is: she’s already been warned about me.
So I play a little identity game. A text here, a smile there. I get her right where I want her. One brat of a girl with a sharp tongue? Easy conquest for a Castleton.
snag the complete series paperback today!
announcement
King of Castleton is getting a **subtle** makeover.
#
​
Y'all, this is something that's been on my mind and heart since the fourth installment of King of Castleton published (so for years, if that puts it into perspective). Looking back, I was SO invested in following a trend of bully high school romances, that I didn't step back and think **is this the brand I want to build for myself in the long run**. And the answer is, and always has been, unequivocally 'no'. Yes to bullies and enemies-to-lovers and dark twists and witty banter and dangerous alphas andddddddd so many elements of a bully romance, but the high school part... not so much.
Let me be very clear: there is absolutely nothing wrong with high school romances. Heck, Twilight could be considered a paranormal high school romance. The Kissing Booth. All the Boys I Loved Before. The list goes on and on, filled with amazing titles. I even have plans for some coming-of-age closed door, clean romances in the future for a different pen (Ellie Meadows is simply not a closed door brand).
What I've personally been wrestling with is that I infused the open door, SPICY element into a romance set in high school. Even with the characters in KoC on the cusp of graduation, it still isn't the brand I want to move forward with. It doesn't align with my vision or compass.
I've communicated a few times that I wouldn't write spicy high school romance ever again (my newest series is set in college), so maybe this isn't a huge surprise to those readers who have been with me for a long time. It's funny, Beasts of Greenstone isn't that big of an age change from KoC, BUT the characters are, for all intents and purposes, adults. And that's the seismic shift for me.
So, don't worry, the fundamental story line is not changing. I'm simply... stepping it slightly up to a college setting. River Valley will become a college town (a two year college, so that the MCs have to move on after their Associates), the main characters will still live with their parents (it's a lot less common for 2-year colleges to have dorms, so this fits the narrative already built into the story). They'll be Freshman, with Drake having his same playboy reputation carried over from his local high school days and there won't be any fresh meat in the local two-year college, since most of the students came over from Castleton High or nearby towns. Birdie will still be as sassy as ever, pushing Drake to grow up and become a real Castleton. And Tarryn's parents will be lovey-dovey and silly and overprotective. And, in the end, Drake and Tarryn will get to live out their two years at Castleton College together. Until... life separates them. The ending, more than anything, will require the most tweaking. Yet, when all is said and done, I truly think it will be worth the effort. For myself, my soul, my brand.
​
Once this re-write is over, and the books are updated online, I'll be revealing the first cover for the Queen of Castleton. The second-chance 'what happened to Drake and Tarryn' romance that so many of you have been asking for. It'll release in two parts as a duet, and I know in my heart it will be worth writing... because these two characters, for better or worse, started the Ellie Meadows pen.
​
With all my love and my gratitude for your continued support--
​
Xx
Ellie